Keep on engaging…let’s stay connected
From the CEO with Marion Short
“I love those connections that make this big old world feel like a little village” Gina Bellman
As I write this, I realise that I have been physically disconnected for many weeks from some of the things I value dearly – a hug from my grown-up sons, a lovely meal in a restaurant and face-to-face meetings with my colleagues in the IAP2 family.
I know this is the same for many of you as we stay home and isolate.
But, also – in strange and mysterious ways – we, as a worldwide and professional community – actually seem so much more connected right now. The “corporate masks” are coming off and I notice that we are all being more, well, real.
We catch a glimpse of someone’s home (and perhaps family and pets) in the background of a Zoom meeting. We now start each conversation by checking in on how people are coping. Are their loved ones OK? Do they feel well?
Our best professional outfits and power suits stay hanging in the wardrobe, and we join a video conference in our exercise gear. Shoes are optional. And it’s all completely OK.
Overall, there is a real sense that we are all in this together.
We know that many in the engagement community are hurting right now. Hurting for your communities, your clients and projects put on hold. Perhaps hurting as you grieve for jobs lost or projects cancelled.
From what I’ve observed, engagers are social creatures by nature, and our community of engagers need connection like oxygen.
Since March, IAP2A’s focus has been on keeping engagers connected during these times.
Our hardworking Directors, Trainers and staff have been pedalling hard to swivel our many face-to-face activities to a virtual format. Thank you to the many in the IAP2 community who have dedicated early mornings, late nights and weekends to helping shape the digital delivery of training and events.
What does this all mean for you? Right now, you can connect to other engagers through our new Virtual “Your Place” Network Events and Communities of Practice.
Connected to our world-class trainers and learning opportunities to build on your toolbox in the new IAP2 Learn virtual classroom to be trained in our Certificate in Engagement modules.
Connected to subject matter experts through our Keep on Engaging Webinars, Podcasts and IAP2 TV.
Connected to IAP2A through complimentary membership support for those who have lost their jobs.
And connected to our past major events by opening up our vast vault of past conference video recordings.
Our main aim is to keep you strongly linked with IAP2 and to keep on engaging by breaking down any barriers so you can continue to build your practice, even while in isolation or lockdown.
Reach out to us. We need you too! If you have any ideas on how we can help you right now, let me know at ceo@iap2.org.au.