An ongoing experience in the Advanced Volunteer Management Institute was the Support Circle. Introduced early on, we were explicitly told that many of us will love this experience, some will enjoy it, and others will just not…but to tolerate it because you never know what will come of it.
As a result of an icebreaker exercise…we were split up into groups of four. In other words, it was random luck that brought the four of us together…but what luck it was. We were four women from different sectors of the field from all across the country who ended up being a huge support to each other throughout the pre-conference institute.
We met four times over the course of the three days and each time a different person was allowed to talk about the issues that she was facing in her position. After her narrative, we then had the opportunity to ask questions, give support, and share our input into her situation. It was such a great experience not only to have others give input into my situation, but to be able to provide support for others in the field. Sometimes it takes looking another’s program to spur me on to strive for the full potential that mine can reach.
I am excited about the possibility of supporting each other from afar after the conference…and also about thinking about how something like this can be created on a local level in my community. It’s different from a mentoring relationship as there is not a perceived hierarchy in the relationships…it’s about a mutual give and take…and can be formed with folks of similar as well as differing levels of experience.
Thanks to my partners in this group for making it a great experience for me to be a part of!!!
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