“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
(Feedback to help improve the following is invited.) An event such as a conference is to be seen as an opportunity to do more than learn. It can be used to generate within families, schools and communities the widespread, robust dialogue needed to emerge from the pandemic on course to a better world from which there is no turning back.
Think of it as a conversation starter, a reason to chat up a receptionist or a stranger with whom you find yourself. Use it as a reason to pick up the phone, start an email thread, or host a Zoom meet-up. Share references in advance of an event to encourage people to prepare for the event and create conversations leading up to it. Encourage everyone you know to register for events whether or not they intend to attend. Every registration is an answer to the Call to Unite and it helps to build momentum.
Work virtual gatherings
- Use chat boxes and opportunities to speak to make connections, to get email addresses, to bring attention to your work, to ask questions.
- Virtual events allow for us to invest directly into a cause the travel and accommodation costs of in-person gatherings.
- Virtual events can be listened to like radio while doing other things.
- With virtual conferences, people are not stuck in locations away from home. They can easily just drop in on only the session of interest to them.
- Virtual gatherings are easily recorded for those who can’t attend at the time they run live.
- Virtual conferences are often free or low in cost.
- Registering for virtual conferences even when you don’t plan to attend is a demonstration of unity. The higher the number, the better the organizers can gain support for their efforts. See the registrations as a poll in favour of the action.