I hope this message finds each of you and your loved ones safe and healthy!
I miss the office – more specifically, I miss the spontaneous watercooler chats. The opportunity to shoot the breeze and catch up on the mundane aspects of coworkers lives. I miss the comradery and occasions to vent and feel in community with those who were living and breathing the very same work frustrations I was managing. To find immediate support from those who understood best, who would instantaneously celebrate any small wins and successes experienced. To be in community with others is a gift, and I deeply miss the frequency I once had.
It is what we hear the most about when asking people how they feel about ITGA. Smiles grow wider as you watch someone reminisce about conferences past and being in community with those who “just get it.” How ITGA provides such a unique conference experience where global colleagues become family. We have been thinking long and hard about how to recreate this feeling – to breathe a little more life back into our virtual ones by creating more frequent opportunities to connect.
And while we don’t have it figured out just quite yet – I’m writing to share that we are actively developing a “Watercooler Series.” We think it will look like monthly meet-ups for those who do similar work, to be able to vent…and share…and celebrate on the regular. How does this sound to you? Perhaps you have ideas and needs you would like to share. Any and all are welcome to help us get this initiative off the ground – please email me if you would like to help at Emily.Allen@colostate.edu.
We look forward to your active participation in the ITGA Watercooler Series and please know there continues to be more ways to connect and learn through ITGA:
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TOMORROW, September 1, is the last day to register for "Racial Equity And Leadership in Town-Gown Relations” with NLC REAL Director Leon Andrews, taking place on Sept. 9th and 10th. Register today!
- Courageous Conversations-Save the Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16th/Nov. 11, 12:00-1:00pm (EDT): "Now, hear my point of view": College student experiences during the Coronavirus pandemic." See info below for more details.
Thank you for your commitment to ITGA and for your commitment to the communities you love and are invested in!
In community,
Emily Allen