25 Jul, 2011
Social Capital Conference – a few thoughts
Posted by andrea tomkins in: Publishing/writing/career stuff|The business of blogging
I’m still recovering from Saturday’s Social Capital Conference. My feet are wrecked (10 hours in high heels will do that to a gal) and I spent most of Sunday in a haze. On the bright side, there are still fireworks going off in my brain (that’s a good thing) and rather unexpectedly I discovered that the conference – the things I learned and the great people I connected with – actually seemed to fill me up, like a fuel that I didn’t think I needed.
I was on the organizing committee (as well as a panel and the host of a roundtable discussion) so I carried a little bit of extra stress with me on Saturday. But, funnily enough, it went swimmingly. There were some hiccups, big and small (including non-functioning WiFi!), but overall I think everyone was happy and walked away feeling as inspired as I was. I’m still kind of humbled and amazed by the whole thing. As I said, fireworks.
I asked Twitter peeps to play a little fill in the blank with me about Social Capital. I asked them if they could complete my sentence: “Social Capital was…” and this is what they said:
@OttawaStart
Social Capital was a great place to meet good people.
@AnnBac9
Social Capital was a wonderful learning experience that re-energized my interest in blogging.
@LaraWellman
… totally worth all the effort. But man am I tired. ;)
@bitofmomsense
… if I answer ‘Social Capital was…’ with “the shiznit” is that not really appropriate? ;)
@hotelqueen
…a great way to connect with people I’ve met online, and to add new people to my social networks
@socialkeenan
Social Capital was… proven to be effective, genuine, and stimulating community-building that Ottawa wants and needs #socapott
@YoniFreedhoff
….disappointing because no one on the steering committee (ahem) bothered to mention it to me!
@coffeewithjulie
Social Capital was … a damn good day.
One of the best things about conferences like this one is the opportunity to connect with likeminded people on topics that everyone is passionate about. Just to be in a group like this gives me a charge. The feeling is the same one I get whether I’m watching the fireworks on Canada Day, singing Happy Birthday, or screaming my head off on a roller coaster. The people with whom I’m sharing that moment – whether it’s four friends or 4,000 strangers – are all sharing one thing, one moment, one thread. It’s a tie that binds. It’s an awesome feeling, and I mean that in the truest sense of the word.
So it’s back to work for me today. But I’m starting the workweek on a high. And that’s a good thing.
