The month-plus since the NACRJ conference in DC has flown by, filled with new beginnings of work and school, family members coming and going, and finding ways to lean into the joys and difficulties of transition times. Before summer slips away entirely, we want to offer a few reflections on what we experienced and what we’re taking with us from that time.
Sheryl
A month has gone by entirely too fast! After my last blog entry, I had the lovely surprise of not only seeing Michelle Chatman at the NACRJ Conference, but experiencing her, as well! It turned out that she was a presenter in the conference opening ceremony and she delivered a powerful land acknowledgement followed by the beautiful affirmations she shared in her breakout session at the conference I attended the previous month:
● I am here
● I am safe
● I am worthy
● I am enough
I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to introduce Slow Leadership in our Pre-Conference presentation at the NACRJ Conference. Some of you may have had the opportunity to attend, and we hope that you had some great learnings and takeaways.
Our time at the conference is a reminder of what a beautiful gathering of a beloved community we became for a short period of time. There is simply not a vocabulary good enough to express what only my heart holds to be in relationship with these folks!
Christine
As I reflect on NACRJ 2024, I am struck by the sense of community and connection that permeated the event. There was an electric energy—authentic and intentional—focused on tackling the challenging work at hand. But what truly elevated the experience was the exceptional attention given to relationship building and development.
Throughout the conference, I observed organizers, attendees, session leaders, and even hall monitors actively reaching out, introducing themselves, asking thoughtful questions, truly listening, and offering support. This spirit of connection was evident everywhere—from breakfast meetings and lunch tables to workshops, hallways, and the hotel lobby.
I experienced this welcoming atmosphere firsthand when I arrived at a session with my 10-year-old son. While he was content to stay with me, we were greeted at the entrance with a warm smile and an inviting question: “There’s a youth room. Would you like to hang out there?” With my approval, he eagerly joined a space that seemed magical, outfitted with engaging activities and conversations. Each time I checked on him, I found him engrossed in discussions, enjoying snacks, and forging new connections. In fact, when it was time to leave, he pleaded to stay “just a little bit longer.” This sentiment mirrored my own feelings as the conference drew to a close. I found myself wishing I could extend my stay to continue learning, nurturing new relationships, and absorbing more of the mutual investment so evident in those hallways and rooms.
I’ve brought this spirit of intention back home with me, seeking out folks who are able and willing to find a way to bring intention, connection, care, and community to our day-to-day obligations. And I am seeking out ways to remind myself that these principles are not just conference ideals, but essential Slow Leadership-related elements for creating meaningful change in our work and communities.
Rachel
One month out from NACRJ, I’m still thinking about the ways that I saw circle process at work and the rich gifts it offered. In one of the sessions I attended, the opening circle prompt involved sharing one’s name along with a story about that name. It felt astonishing to witness the widely varying emotions and memories that came flooding forth as we went around the circle. Joys of family connection, times of painful embarrassment, feelings of belonging or Otherness, stories of loss and redemption—a name holds so many things simultaneously. With nearly 50 of us in the room, the circle sharing surely took much longer than the conveners had anticipated, but they never intervened; they simply offered as much space and time as seemed necessary.
As I begin a new school year, I’m now in the throes of learning to know dozens of new students and colleagues. I’m keeping that circle in mind, reminding myself of how important it is for Slow Leaders to make intentional space and dedicate time—to learning new names and correct pronunciations, to sharing and receiving stories, to doing what we can to help others feel seen and heard as we begin to build new relationships, inside and outside the classroom.