Wednesday Wisdom: Vital Community Gatherings

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The text from one of my closest friends, a Harvard educated epidemiologist, who has been stretched to the limits answering emergency calls from her global clients related to the pandemic said, “I can’t wait to hug you next week when we have lunch together because I haven’t seen anyone in forever so I might just cry.” Understanding in some ways how hard she has worked since February her statement made me realize I should have been in contact with her more often even though she was extremely busy.

The lack of community gatherings, friendly hugs, private face-to-face communication, and limited access to people outside our immediate bubble, has more than just my friend craving community. I think it was one reason last Friday’s Women TIES photo shoot, with ten Rochester women and members for a virtual parade to honor the centennial of women’s suffrage, felt so uplifting, memorable, and heartwarming. It was only a 30-minute shoot in the Susan B. Anthony Square followed by lunch but that memory might last forever when it comes to feeling good in 2020.

Fifteen years ago I planned the very first Women TIES luncheon and no one registered. This community of New York State women I wanted to create so badly for their wider economic ties and revenue gains seemed impossible, but I stuck with it because I envisioned a larger network of feminist business women joined by the hip and bank account supporting each other. It worked but it took time to get others on board. As I venture out at noon today online to host our first ever “members only meeting” to create at least an online gathering place and community for my members to meet monthly, pitch their businesses, and inspire them to keep going, it doesn’t matter if one, ten or fifty women join the call. It’s all for the ones who want a community to be with.

Online experiences are not the same as standing side-by-side with other community members, but right now it continues to be the way most women entrepreneurs want to conduct business until early or mid 2021. Embracing the evolution of online community opportunities is a new way of life and business we better accept and relish in, until times change again. I believe if you enter a virtual event with the best intentions to get the most out of the experience, you will. Throw in there the ability to at least connect with women across the state much easier than driving a couple hours and there’s the added bonus. We have to make do with what we have to work with, not with what we desire most.

Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to remind you as you head into Labor Day Weekend with or without the people you typically share it with, that you have the choice to accept and enjoy the opportunities and occasions at your doorstep, not lingering in what or who is missing. Wishful thinking is never a harmful thing unless it stops you from participating. If you desire more personal interactions and community gatherings, there are plenty of ways to do it safely and pleasurably.

A year from now we could look back and wish gathering with our community was as easy as turning on a computer instead of driving down a highway so embrace what you have and join us anytime you need women to relate with because that’s what the Women TIES community is here for. Join us today as a member to get more involved. We’d love to have you.