Worn Out
But in a good way.
Today was the second (and last) day of the statewide conference that we put on. There were something like 450 attendees, last I heard. While I had to try to be helpful (which mostly meant collecting people's evaluations at the end of each session), I got to attend a lot of sessions, which was cool. I learned a lot about a few things, and was also in way over my head on a couple of others. I lived near Columbus for four years, and I never knew their system for tackling homelessness is so coordinated and has such high standards. The presenter is with the unified funding agency that monitors all the shelters receiving federal funds, and as she was describing how they do things and what they expect of people, she was frequently interrupted by exclamations and chatter as audience members were blown away. I don't know a lot about services locally, but I can tell that people were struggling to just imagine some of what she was talking about. And that happened in multiple sessions. There are a lot of fantastic programs and great people in the community development business - it was great to have so many of them together and to hear about what they're all doing.
Another highlight was the lunch-time talk of a professor of agricultural economics. I know a lot of people were wishing they'd had the opportunity to take a class of his when they were in school. He was talking about the state economy, and frankly, it was a pretty picture. But he was such a dynamic, passionate speaker, when he was done we were all so impressed we nearly forgot to be depressed by the reality he'd just shown us. He used graphs, charts, and maps to help tell the story, and he did so skillfully. It was an informative talk - but also brutal. It's a bit overwhelming to really face that down and try to figure out how to transform communities right now, but that's what we're here for. I don't just mean our organizations; most of the people in this, they're here because it's what they love and live for.
Anyway, the conference meant many hours of sessions, but there were also a lot of opportunities for chatting with people. I saw a couple of the people I've met up with for "informational interviews" (read: my new idea of a social life), so that was cool. They both told me they owe me an email, which was even cooler. It feels good to know I haven't fallen off their radar, even though I'm really of no importance for them - I mean, I don't do anything for them, I'm just a minor contact right now. Although! Speaking of doing things for people: when I first got to the conference, our event planner asked if I could finish up a power point with our sponsors' logos and make it look good. I spent a couple minutes on it, and then she got my contact info so that she can have me do similar things on the side in the future. It couldn't possibly earn me much, but income is income, and it's cool that she even asked, in my opinion.
I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. Wish me luck!
Today was the second (and last) day of the statewide conference that we put on. There were something like 450 attendees, last I heard. While I had to try to be helpful (which mostly meant collecting people's evaluations at the end of each session), I got to attend a lot of sessions, which was cool. I learned a lot about a few things, and was also in way over my head on a couple of others. I lived near Columbus for four years, and I never knew their system for tackling homelessness is so coordinated and has such high standards. The presenter is with the unified funding agency that monitors all the shelters receiving federal funds, and as she was describing how they do things and what they expect of people, she was frequently interrupted by exclamations and chatter as audience members were blown away. I don't know a lot about services locally, but I can tell that people were struggling to just imagine some of what she was talking about. And that happened in multiple sessions. There are a lot of fantastic programs and great people in the community development business - it was great to have so many of them together and to hear about what they're all doing.
Another highlight was the lunch-time talk of a professor of agricultural economics. I know a lot of people were wishing they'd had the opportunity to take a class of his when they were in school. He was talking about the state economy, and frankly, it was a pretty picture. But he was such a dynamic, passionate speaker, when he was done we were all so impressed we nearly forgot to be depressed by the reality he'd just shown us. He used graphs, charts, and maps to help tell the story, and he did so skillfully. It was an informative talk - but also brutal. It's a bit overwhelming to really face that down and try to figure out how to transform communities right now, but that's what we're here for. I don't just mean our organizations; most of the people in this, they're here because it's what they love and live for.
Anyway, the conference meant many hours of sessions, but there were also a lot of opportunities for chatting with people. I saw a couple of the people I've met up with for "informational interviews" (read: my new idea of a social life), so that was cool. They both told me they owe me an email, which was even cooler. It feels good to know I haven't fallen off their radar, even though I'm really of no importance for them - I mean, I don't do anything for them, I'm just a minor contact right now. Although! Speaking of doing things for people: when I first got to the conference, our event planner asked if I could finish up a power point with our sponsors' logos and make it look good. I spent a couple minutes on it, and then she got my contact info so that she can have me do similar things on the side in the future. It couldn't possibly earn me much, but income is income, and it's cool that she even asked, in my opinion.
I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. Wish me luck!