The Setting
About 33 people showed up yesterday at the HR Possibilities Event at the Maritime Event Center at Bell Harbor. There was an enormous cruise ship parked just outside the window of the main room, the day was gorgeous, and the space was amazing, providing the perfect setting for creativity and inspiration. What's Going On Here?
Participants arrived not knowing exactly what to expect and quickly got into the spirit with name tags listing what they love, registration hugs for those we knew, party music, and an invitation to take off their HR hats and put on a silly hat from the costume box. I felt a little like Ellen Degeneres as I danced about the room.
A Day of Inspiration and Creativity
After comments from Kristina Pfeil and yours truly, Dr. Melody Ivory opened with a performance poem on being the masterpiece you were meant to be, which set the perfect tone for the day.
Curt Rosengren, The Passion Catalyst, helped us discover a bit about our true selves in a session called "How to Get Wild About Work!," where we had an opportunity to start thinking about what we're passionate about and why.
The breakout sessions were a combination of traditional workshops and open-space concept activities and discussions:
- Ann-Marie Archer of Archer and Associates and Healing Garden led a discussion on "Healing Your Heart at Work" based on the book, The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary by Angeles Arrien.
- Deborah Huyer, of Coaching for Results, led a workshop called "Your Definition of Success."
- Windsor Lewis-Gloy led a discussion on the "Dichotomy of HR."
- We had our photos taken with the elves.
- We designed and decorated Dream Journals using supplies from Stampin' Up provided by Kristina Pfeil.
After the first breakout sessions, the Sugarplum Elves broke out their ukulele, gathered up the crowd, and performed another tune while we ate lunch. We also heard from our generous sponsors, TRUEBenefits, NetSpeed Learning Solutions, and learned a little bit about Wellspring Family Services and the Employee Assistance Program they offer to local businesses.
My Key Takeaways
- I was incredibly moved by our community of human resources professionals and our interest in creating lives and workplaces that work for us, our coworkers, and the companies that sustain us.
- Curt took me a bit further down the path of understanding my passions.
- Ann-Marie taught me the importance of developing and balancing the parts of me that are teacher, warrior, healer, and visionary, and having a heart that is open, strong, full, and clear.
- Melody gave me the confidence and inspiration that I can make the hard changes with ease and grace so that I can be the masterpiece I was meant to be.
- Kristina reminded me of the importance of nurturing my creative side.
- Most importantly, I learned about true collaboration and the power of community. I learned that I didn't have to work hard or "do it myself," and that, in fact, something much more special came about by staying in the space of creation and inspiration.
I'm filled with gratitude for the following people and companies who contributed to this day.
- Thanks to each person who participated in the day. Your participation meant the world to me. I heard from many of you that the day meant something to you, too. I invite you to share your comments as comments to this blog post.
- Autumn Pulver, my coworker, friend, and daily inspiration: Autumn did many, many things to support this event, including designing the cool dandelion logo, finding the venue (no easy task at the convergence of the graduation, wedding, and prom seasons), listening whenever I wanted to talk, and managing the entire day.
- Magdalene Adenau, who agreed to manage the event until the day of even though she was: 1. in graduate school; 2. starting a new job; and 3. unable to attend. She was responsible for the format, flow, and schedule of the day, the Sugarplum Elves, and infusing the event with her creativity and wisdom.
- Kristina Pfeil, who "got it" more than anyone else, is always willing to show up as her true self and be vulnerable, and lent her vast creativity, generous spirit of abundance, music, and MC skills to the day.
- Curt Rosengren, the common thread who attended every single steering committee meeting--more than anyone else, including me; shared his real-self every minute; and brought his passion for passion, wit, and multitude of ideas.
- Ann-Marie Archer, my best friend, partner in knitting, healer, and the person who inspires me to be the best I can be every day.
- Deborah Huyer who inspires me by her choices, integrity, commitment to leading the life of her dreams, and her great ideas.
- Dr. Melody Ivory, our Performance Poet and Change Viruoso, who I feel so privileged to know and call a member of my community. Melody brought an amazing level of inspiration, passion, commitment, and creativity to the day.
- Sponsor Grant McDonald of TRUEBenefits who has been a tremendous business partner and has quickly become a friend.
- Sponsor Cynthia Clay of NetSpeed Learning Solutions who saved me in the final hours, and I look forward to working with in the future.
- Holly James: photographer, videographer, muse, and friend.
- Harry Tolen: website consultant.
- Jessica Hendrawidjaja: the very talented young graphic designer who designed the event flyer.
- Diane Harter: steering committee member, advisor, and friend.
- Windsor Lewis-Gloy: early supporter and open space facilitator.
- LuAnn Johnson, Cammy Vasquez, and Carole Anderson: early supporters.
- And my mom, Mary Ann Knoche, of Operations Plus, who handled online registration and finances and has always loved me for exactly who I am, and exactly who I am not.
Congratulations on the great event! I still have random ideas / thoughts / possibilities popping up in my head from Saturday. It was a great collaboration of minds, and I was thrilled to be a part of it. Now can we do it monthly? :)
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