, “When you’re proximate, you hear things you won’t otherwise hear, you see things you won’t otherwise see. It’s in proximity that we begin to understand what people distant don’t understand.” His message continues to resonate with me.
We know that communication is both verbal and non-verbal. We communicate intent with tone, body language and micro gestures. Proximity provides space to understand what is
not
being said yet is being
communicated
. Proximity also provides space to observe one another when we are not directly communicating with each other and interpret non-verbal cues. These quiet observations allow us to assess, fill in the picture, deepen perspective and build trust.
Most people recognize the value of proximity when it comes to personal experiences. We want to be present for one another. It’s why we travel to see family and friends during the holidays, take summer vacations with loved ones, hop on planes or pack up for long drives to attend weddings or graduations or big birthdays.
But proximity is just as important in our work, community and civic engagement experiences.
Points of Light Global Network affiliates and leaders from Fundación Telefónica at our conference in 2019.
I was recently in Madrid with many of our Points of Light Global Network affiliates. It was a great week where we talked about our impact and shared ideas on how to work more closely together.
One evening after dinner, I gathered with a group of leaders from Brazil, France, India, Peru and the Netherlands to discuss an idea they had. Even though we had met over Zoom throughout the past two years, our proximity to each other created space for a very special moment, and we spoke openly about our challenges and opportunities and made room for imagining new possibilities.
Over the past two years, we have found new ways of work, ways to be productive, more efficient with our time by avoiding long commutes and old morning and after work routines. Advances in technology allow us to log onto our computers, tick through agendas and sign off to jump to the next meeting with few breaks. Some of us are happier, and those who are must recognize that some of us are frustrated and lonelier.
I am all-in for listening to your workforce and adjusting to new ways of work. Also, I believe with equal passion, that being proximate, without structured time or an agenda, is imperative to building culture, leading to new discoveries, more complete experiences, and sustained and deeper connections with each other and the meaningful work we perform.
These ideals are true in volunteering and civic engagement as well. It’s easy to assume that we have the perfect solution for what’s needed in the communities we support. But being proximate to the communities we work with, listening and learning from them can bring new ideas and reveal different solutions and approaches to what might work best.
In just a few short weeks, we’ll be together
This year, the theme of our conference is “Reimagine. Revitalize. Recommit.” We hope to provide the space for you to do all of these things in relationship to yourself, each other and our collective work.
It was 2019 the last time we were together in person in a conference setting, exchanging ideas, networking, laughing and creating memories that inspire and fill us to continue our work in community.
I have appreciated the pivots to virtual experiences. Technology allowed us to be in multiple cities, time-zones and countries in one day. That technology will continue to help us reimagine and revitalize our work. But after three years, being with you in person, seeing your smiles, hearing your laughter and stories with passion and pain, and creating new memories is an experience that I look forward to.
That proximity to all of you is what refills my cup and makes me feel revitalized.
but if you can’t, please join me in finding a way to be proximate in your community, and share what you learn in the experience.
Natalye Paquin was the president and chief executive officer of Points of Light from 2017–2022.
She is a visionary and results-oriented leader, with more than 20 years of experience providing strategic, operations and fiscal leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors.
Points of Light Conference Teams Up with Bestselling Authors for Talk on Wellness
Anyone engaged in civic life — especially those who are employed in the nonprofit sector — face the risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. That’s why it’s so critical to consistently and intentionally take care of oneself while helping others. The 2022 Points of Light Conference will explore wellness through an array of featured speakers and special workshops.
Two of our most notable offerings include bestselling author, activist and podcast host Glennon Doyle and bestselling author and television executive Tara Schuster. The duo will be hosting a special Civic Talk titled “Oxygen Masks On! Caring for Ourselves and our Communities.” This session will explore the ways we can care for our mental health and wellness while continuing to lead courageously. We offer inspiration for those driving transformative change who have served on the front lines of social good for the last two years of this global pandemic.
Glennon Doyle is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Untamed,” a Reese’s Book Club selection, which has sold over 2 million copies. She is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Love Warrior,” an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and “Carry On, Warrior.” In her “Untamed Journal,” published November 2021, Glennon helps us each discover our own voice of longing and allows us to reclaim our true, untamed selves. An activist and “patron saint of female empowerment” (People), Glennon is the founder and president of Together Rising, an all-women-led nonprofit organization that has revolutionized grassroots philanthropy, having raised over $30 million for women, families and children in crisis. She hosts the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast, which debuted as #1 on Apple Podcasts.
Tara Schuster was once best known as the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning show, Key & Peele. Tara turned her struggle with chronic anxiety and depression into a best-selling book and a mission to help others. Her humorous takes on taking charge of one’s mental health, always backed by empowering action steps, have won praise from readers ranging from Wharton professor Adam Grant to Academy Award-winner Anjelica Huston and best-selling author Glennon Doyle. InStyle, People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Goodreads, BuzzFeed, Goop and many others have chosen her memoir as one of the best books of 2020.
Check our agenda for other workshops with sector experts that address specific issues and strategies around wellness. These conversations will bring inspiring ideas and experiences to the stage and offer deep learning and takeaways from innovative leaders. Join us for these powerful discussions on how to nurture your health and wellness so you can sustain your long-term work that’s making an impact in the sector. If you’re not yet registered, head over to our Points of Light Conference page. We’ll see you July 13-15, 2022!
Join a Powerful Civic Talk on Deep Sector Learning at the Points of Light Conference
will be the Civic Talks with sector experts. These all-conference sessions will bring inspiring ideas and experiences to the stage. Drawing across all disciplines, speakers will be individuals who have stepped out of their world in unexpected ways to live their best civic lives and take action to make the world a better place.
One such discussion will be the Civic Talk on deep sector learning, featuring Eddy Moratin, Barbara Poma, Bayeté Ross Smith and Breauna Dorelus. These leaders have each stepped up in their spheres of influence and their actions have created a ripple effect resulting in a powerful impact.
, a movement of business leaders working with residents and community partners toward neighborhood revitalization since 2013. This collaborative approach has been decreasing childhood poverty and increasing financial mobility for families in the heart of Orlando. The organization strengthens neighborhoods by building high-quality, mixed-income housing and providing a cradle-to-career educational pipeline while improving community health and wellness, and creating economic opportunity for residents.
Barbara Poma is the owner of Pulse nightclub and founder of
, the nonprofit established to honor and preserve the legacy of the 49 killed and all those affected by the Pulse nightclub tragedy. onePULSE’s mission is to create and support a memorial that opens hearts, a museum that opens minds, educational programs that open eyes and 49 Legacy Scholarships that open doors.
What the Research Says
Points of Light’s Civic Life Today: A Millennial Perspective research from 2021 indicated the top issues of concern for Millennials as well as how this generation is getting involved to help solve them. When asked, “For which social issue did you perform at least 1 action in the last year?”:
93% said civil rights/racial discrimination/social justice
is an interdisciplinary artist, photographer, filmmaker and education worker, working at the intersection of photography, film and video, visual journalism, 3D objects and new media. He is Columbia Law School’s inaugural Artist-In-Residence, a Presidential Leadership Scholar, a TED Resident, a Creative Capital Awardee, an Art For Justice Fund Grantee, a CatchLight Fellow, a BPMPlus Grantee and an AmDOC/POV NY Times embedded mediamaker. His work is featured in the collections of The Smithsonian Institution, among many others.
Breauna Dorelus is the founder and chief cause consultant at
, a consultancy dedicated to helping volunteers and those that lead them to identify and uproot harmful volunteer practices specifically towards Black and brown communities. She is an advocate for voices of color to be heard, recognized and valued in the service and volunteerism sector and believes in keeping the community centered in all aspects of the volunteer process.
Between these leaders tackling poverty, championing LGBTQ+ rights, confronting bias through art and advancing equality in the nonprofit sector, the discussion is sure to be rich in both insightful perspectives and tangible takeaways that fellow leaders can benefit from. Join us July 13-15, 2022, at the
brings together global nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders for inspiration, education and connection. And each year, we work tirelessly to host conversations that will truly empower Conference attendees and equip them with tools and strategies to bring their respective missions and CSR goals to life.
This year’s conference will include a Service Summit Luncheon, a time for global perspective that explores models of national service in the United States, United Kingdom and India. From the AmeriCorps shared agenda to creating pathways to employment in the public sector, our speakers will dive into the countless shapes and forms that national service takes throughout the world.
What the Research SaysPoints of Light’sCivic Life Today: The State of Global Civic Engagement research yielded some interesting statistics regarding perspectives on civic engagement from around the world. Among them:
Individuals stated their highest priority issue is education in India (59%) and Brazil (70%).
Individuals stated their highest priority issue is environment/climate in the U.K. (52%).
Individuals stated their highest priority issue is healthcare in the U.S. (48%).
Volunteering was the activity ranked third or fourth by every country as important.
Nearly every respondent in India and Brazil and two-thirds of those in the U.S. and the U.K. said they expect companies to address social challenges.
The Service Summit will open with a fireside chat with Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, and Dalila Wilson-Scott, executive vice president and chief diversity officer at Comcast Corporation.
is the eighth CEO of AmeriCorps and was nominated by President Biden in June 2021, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2021 and officially started in January 2022. Smith has dedicated his career to social justice and public service in underserved communities like those where he grew up.
He previously served as director of the Social Innovation Fund for the Obama Administration. Through his work on this key White House initiative and program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, he reinvigorated the program, managing its largest funding competition, introducing its first Pay for Success grant program and overseeing a portfolio of more than $700 million in public-private investments in support of more than 200 nonprofits. Prior, Smith served as senior vice president of Social Innovation at the Case Foundation, where he oversaw the foundation’s domestic giving and program strategy, and guided numerous global public-private partnerships.
oversees all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and philanthropic strategy for Comcast, including the company’s $100 million commitment to advance social justice and equality. She also leads Comcast’s community impact initiatives, working across the organization to provide strategic leadership throughout all aspects of its corporate social responsibility programs, including employee engagement and volunteerism.
In addition, Wilson-Scott oversees efforts to utilize Comcast’s world-class media platforms to bring greater attention to the work of its philanthropic partners. In 2020, Comcast provided nearly $500 million in total support to 4,500 nonprofit partners sharing Comcast’s commitment to creating a more connected and equitable world.
Additional Service Summit speakers will include AnnMaura Connolly, president of Voices for National Service, Aarti Madhusudan, principal consultant from iVolunteer India and Stephen Greene, CEO and co-founder of RockCorps. These leaders will participate in a panel discussion.
Points of Light is honored to host these global changemakers and share their insights. They bring unparalleled perspective on the power of national service to address urgent needs in healthcare, public services and the environment. They instill a spirit of service in children through school-based volunteerism. They are developing the next generation of leaders
. We’re thrilled for Conference attendees to have the opportunity to hear from them and gain key takeaways from this session.
Are you registered for Conference yet? Don’t wait! Head over to the Points of Light Conference page for all the details, and join us July 13-15, 2022.
Top 5 Reasons to Attend the 2022 Points of Light Conference
is an annual gathering bringing together global nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders for inspiration, education and connection. You have options when it comes to choosing which events to attend, so why this particular conference?
1. Hear from impactful leaders
From the All-Conference Plenary to the Youth Summit and Civic Talks, this conference offers moments that dive into relevant issues and inspire new thinking.
Choose from over 70 workshops online or in-person from presenters in India, London, Hawaii and several U.S. states
. Workshop sessions cover a variety of topics including volunteerism in social change, community strengthening collaboration, diversity and inclusion and digital disinformation. And new this year, you will find sessions focused on caring for ourselves while serving others, The All-Conference Plenary and other main stage moments feature global leaders and special guests including artists, actors, influencers and entertainers including the likes of ABC News’ Nightline Co-anchor Juju Chang, former head of innovation and creativity at Disney, Duncan Wardle, AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith, and Points of Light President and CEO Natalye Paquin.
2. Share ideas and resources
This conference strengthens the social sector by curating innovative ideas and proven solutions while providing attendees with actionable steps to broaden their impact in new and meaningful ways. Nonprofits and businesses come together to share best practices and develop custom solutions to engage employees and drive transformative change in their communities.
Engaging Civic Talks will draw insight from across all disciplines. Speakers will include individuals who have stepped out of their comfort zones in unexpected ways to live their best civic lives and take action to make the world a better place.
3. Network with like-minded professionals
Connecting with people who are doing similar work is invaluable. Conference allows volunteer managers, community engagement professionals, program managers and corporate social responsibility leaders the opportunity to collaborate and build capacity. Those who attend Conference year after year know the power of making new friends, seeing familiar faces, catching up on successes and sharing strategies. After last year’s fully-virtual Conference, we’re looking forward to networking in person once again!
The past few years have shown us that trials produce triumph — or another opportunity to get it right.
The “Nailed It” Stage and Networking Luncheon, during the in-person experience, will allow attendees to learn from nonprofit and business colleagues who are willing to share lessons learned from recent initiatives where they either ”nailed” remarkable results or learned valuable lessons.
4. Renew passion for the work
Social impact and community engagement work can be challenging, yet seeing dedicated individuals and organizations committed to taking action that improves communities around the world can renew passion. Join a community of peers to
reimagine, revitalize and recommit to leading our communities to a better future.
Attending conference workshops can also be applied to the education requirement for initial CVA Certification or CVA Renewal. CVA certification is the only internationally recognized credential in the field of Volunteer Administration.
Surely, seeing the number of youth leaders gathered will be enough to inspire anyone. The Youth Summit is an all-conference session that will feature inspirational stories from young civic leaders who demonstrate that age has no limit in addressing the issues facing our world.
5. Enjoy the gorgeous location
We’re fortunate to gather for the 2022 Points of Light Conference at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Located in the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort—near Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios—the newly reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures.
This beautiful lakeside oasis offers classic influences, imaginative Disney touches and modern comforts both inside and out so you can feel energized and inspired throughout your stay. Attendees might consider stopping by one of the parks to have some fun for a day while they’re in the area.
Register for the 2022 Points of Light Conference
If your focus at work or in the community involves nonprofit management, volunteer engagement and management, national service management, corporate social responsibility, employee engagement or community engagement, you do not want to miss the 2022 Points of Light Conference! There’s still time to
of speakers and workshops and map out the most compelling schedule for yourself. If you need support pitching the idea of attending to your leadership, we’ve made it even easier with our “
” materials, including actionable steps and an editable letter. D
ownload
the materials and present to your supervisor.
If you’re excited about this year’s offerings but your organization doesn’t have the bandwidth to send you this year, choose our virtual option. Points of Light will be broadcasting portions of the conference in our hybrid event from July 13-15. Virtual attendees will have access to sessions and content through the conference website, and these sessions will be a combination of prerecorded and live segments. Virtual attendees will also have the ability to build their network by connecting with attendees from across the globe in the virtual community and have access to virtual exhibitors to check out innovative products and services.
No matter how you choose to join us, we look forward to seeing you at the 2022 Points of Light Conference.
Four Inspiring Speakers You Don’t Want to Miss at the 2022 Points of Light Conference
The Points of Light Conference has more than 100 speakers ready to take a deep dive into relevant issues, inspire new thinking and entertain. From the All-Conference Plenary to the Youth Summit and Civic Talks, our Main Stage moments offer something for everyone. Workshop sessions are delivered by global leaders across the nonprofit, corporate and government sectors from those new to a career in the social sector to seasoned C-level executives.
Here’s a first look at several of our Main Stage speakers:
Michael D. Smith is CEO of AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism formerly known as the Corporation for National and Community Service. He has dedicated his career to social justice and public service – particularly in underserved communities like those where he grew up. We are excited to welcome him as our featured speaker at both the Business Summit as well as our Service Summit Luncheon.
Dalila Wilson-Scott is the executive vice president and chief diversity officer of Comcast Corporation and president of Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. She oversees all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and philanthropic strategy for Comcast, with a focus on advancing digital equity through Project UP, and the company’s $100 million pledge to advance social justice and equality. Hear from her as our featured speaker at the Service Summit Luncheon.
Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation and creativity at Disney, is a multiple TEDx speaker and has been featured in many publications including Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., and more. He teaches innovation and creativity masterclasses at Yale University, UNC and U.F. Catch him at our All-Conference Plenary.
Orion Jean, 2021 TIME’s Kid of the Year and author of “A Kids Book About Leadership,” he’s a young man on a mission. Orion may be only 11 years old, but the number on his mind is 500,000. That’s how many books this Texas boy hopes will be donated by the end of the month. We’re proud to present him as a speaker at our Youth Summit.
. You’ll hear inspiring speakers, learn from engaging workshops and enjoy excellent networking opportunities. This is one event you don’t want to miss.
Make the Case to Attend the 2022 Points of Light Conference
is set to be a powerful and inspiring event. As in-person experiences are enjoying a comeback, we’re excited to host this year’s conference in person once again at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Now is the perfect time to make the case – to your employer or organization – to attend Conference.
If in-person attendance isn’t feasible, don’t worry. We’re also offering a virtual option so that you can benefit from the same phenomenal speakers and rich content.
Either way, it’s essential to approach your supervisor with well-crafted reasoning that highlights the benefits of attending. Plus, you can inspire others within your organization to also attend.
Asking for time off and coverage of registration expenses requires a solid understanding of the potential benefits to your supervisor, colleagues and stakeholders, as well as your organization as a whole. You can communicate these benefits clearly with the following easy-to-follow roadmap along with a
designed to help get you to the 2022 Points of Light Conference.
Five Steps for Getting to Conference:
Map out the value of each experience. Identify the speakers and workshops you wish to see. When looking through the Conference agenda, keep an eye out for sessions that you believe will help you develop both your skills and your network.
Identify your organization’s greatest challenge or an area of strategic focus and tie it to key sessions being offered at Conference.
Make a plan that outlines how your workload will be handled while you’re away including how, if necessary, technology can keep you accessible.
Pitch your plan to your supervisor. Once you’ve listed the sessions that will be of greatest value to your workplace, put your request in writing. The editable sample letter below is an excellent place to start!
Propose a time after your return when you will share with your coworkers and supervisor the fresh ideas, best practices and contacts you’ve gained at Conference through a presentation or lunch-and-learn.
Five Ways You’ll Add Value to Your Organization After Conference:
Here are just a few of the ways you’ll add value to your organization after the event. These reasons can help you demonstrate to your supervisor why your organization can’t afford to let you miss this power-packed event! The 2022 Points of Light Conference will help you:
Add more innovation and thought leadership to your organization. With a robust lineup of speakers and workshops, the Points of Light Conference is uniquely positioned to not just track trends but inspire you to start some of your own.
Learn new ways to help your organization become more efficient, effective and economical.
Gain professional development tips that will make you better at your job and help elevate your organization.
Return with a renewed sense of enthusiasm about your work when you hear our inspiring speakers and network with your fellow attendees.
Attending conference sessions can be applied toward the education requirement for initialCVA Certification or CVA Renewal. CVA certification is the only internationally recognized credential in the field of Volunteer Administration.
We’re cheering you on as you advocate for your professional development, your continued education and your organization’s growth. We can’t wait to see you at the 2022 Points of Light Conference!
Hear from Number One: Our First Conference Registrant Shares Why She Was Inspired to Join Us
Are you registered for the annual Points of Light Conference on July 14 – 16? Are you still considering if you’ll attend? We interviewed this year’s very first conference registrant, Natalie Wood, director of community engagement at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Natalie tells us all about her organization, why she registered for the conference right away and what she’s hoping to gain from her conference experience!
Can you tell us more about your organization and the role you play?
I work for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. We’re the largest hunger relief organization in the state of Oklahoma, serving 53 out of the 77 counties in the state. My role as the Director of Community Engagement uniquely positions me to work with donors, volunteers and community leaders in the fight against hunger. In addition to leading our organization’s efforts on the recruitment and retention of volunteers, I also oversee food and fund drives, our young professional programs and hunger education.
How many volunteers does your organization activate each year?
In a typical year, we have more than 44,000 volunteers who help fight hunger through our different volunteer programs. Starting at the end of March 2020, we closed our Volunteer Center out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We just recently opened our Volunteer Center again after 14 months of being closed to the public, but with much smaller volunteer shift sizes of 50 people per shift.
Have you attended the Points Of Light conference before?
Last year was supposed to be my first Points Of Light conference attending in-person. When it shifted to a virtual format, I was so pleased with the online experience that I just knew I had to attend again. I will be joining virtually again this year and can’t wait!
What has been your most memorable conference moment?
I was in awe of the virtual conference last year. I felt connected, even while being virtual and thoroughly enjoyed the presentations and speakers. I find the ability to learn from others invaluable and I knew the Points of Light Conference would provide me the opportunity to hear and learn from many leaders in our industry.
What are you hoping to learn or gain from the conference this year?
I love attending conferences because I walk away with a new set of ideas and a fire ignited inside me. I am hoping to gain ideas around deepening the volunteer experience to help volunteers, donors and community members understand their full impact.
Is there one session or speaker you’re looking forward to in particular?
Let me start by saying that narrowing down what sessions I want to attend is no easy task! There are many sessions I am looking forward to, but really excited to learn more from Cairn Reisch in “It’s a Win-Win! Utilizing Volunteers in Meaningful Work.” Our organization is about to launch our skills-based volunteer program and I know I will glean a lot from this presentation. Our current volunteer opportunities are wonderful, but I am looking to identify roles for those volunteers that want to take a deeper dive in the fight against hunger.
What is your hope for the next year for the volunteer/civic engagement sector or your community?
Through this past year, we learned that people are extremely eager to help and stand up for those that need it most, especially in times of increased need. Volunteers want to do more and know more to make a real change. My hope is that we all take the time to equip volunteers to not only serve, but to lead through advocacy and action.
Are you ready to reserve your spot for this year’s power-packed conference? Register now for this exciting virtual event!
5 Reasons Our Virtual Conference Is Still a Special Experience
Change occurs when innovative ideas are shared, connections are forged and individuals are inspired to do the work required. The annual Points of Light Conference provides a space for all of these opportunities in one thrilling three-day event! This much-anticipated conference is a global convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders who connect and uncover meaningful ways to drive transformative change.
The conference will be offered virtually again this year, and we’ve got an incredible lineup of speakers, including thought leaders who span the public, private and nonprofit sectors. So put on your best virtual outfit and get ready for what is sure to be an incredible conference! Here’s a sneak peak of the experiences you can look forward to.
Idea Exchange
Want to share your solutions and hear from others who are just as passionate as you are? Exchange ideas around timely topics like volunteering and fundraising with a group of your peers. This live and interactive conversation is limited to 40 participants — save your seat for this limited capacity experience when you register!
Book Club
Get ready for this special book club experience, including a live and interactive discussion with the authors! With authors including Jean Becker discussing “The Man I Knew”, Bea Boccalandro discussing “Do Good at Work” and Caleb Smith discussing “Peacebunny Island: The Extraordinary Journey of a Boy and His Comfort Rabbits, and How They’re Teaching Us about Hope and Kindness,” you can hear from them and ask your most pressing questions. Just like the Idea Exchange, you’ll want to be sure to save your seat for this limited capacity experience when you register!
Community Networking
The Points of Light Conference offers the opportunity to connect with others you’ve come to know and love. Head over to our Event Community page to check out who’s attending and find folks you know with our robust search functionality! Connect with those in your organization or country and send messages directly through the platform.
Youth Summit
At Points of Light, we know the power of civically engaged youth. This year we’ll have a special Youth Summit with speaker Mikaila Ulmer, founder and CEO of Me & the Bees Lemonade, a nonprofit dedicated to bee research and preservation and author, Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid. Hear more about how Gen Z is driving social change in communities across the globe!
Captivating Content
Of course, we’ll be serving up the spectacular content you’ve come to expect from the Points of Light Conference. Our action-packed agenda includes workshops on reimagining employee engagement, fostering virtual volunteerism, collaborating across sectors, addressing systemic inequities and much, much more!
We hope you’ll join us July 14-16 for fresh ideas, lively conversation and community connection. Don’t wait!
5 More Reasons Why You Should Present at the 2021 Points of Light Conference
Alissa May
Does the word “conference” carry a very different meaning for you now? I know it does for me in this new paradigm that we are all naviga
ting — our pandemic multi-layered crises world.
Though our world looks different, the conference, and sharing knowledge and ideas, feels more important than ever given our collective uncertainty, separation and isolation. T
his year’s hybrid event will include both in person and virtual experiences, but at t
he heart of the Points of Light Conference is the idea that people with purpose come together to multiply their impact across the world.
Here are fiv
e reasons why we should all consider presenting at the 2021 Points of Light Conference, taking place July 14-16, 2021, virtually and in person, with live sessions occurring at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Kick down and lift up.
For those of us that have been around for a bit, we tend to accumulate knowledge and forget to share it with others. Presenting is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on best practices and partnerships and
kick it down
to those that are earlier in their career, in a different industry, looking to transition, or just plain curious. This is also an opportunity to
lift others up
and present alongside our community partners who truly appreciate the opportunity for increased visibility for their amazing work and programming. At the 2019 Points of Light Conference held in St. Paul, I presented in partnership with the wonderful
on high impact virtual volunteering. Who could have even known the relevance of this type of work back then?! HOT has experienced exponential growth since then, and sharing a platform with others enables growth and reach that you couldn’t even imagine.
Flex ever-important presentation skills.
Raise your hand if you’ve asked yourself over the past 500 months in quarantine, how am I showing up in my presentations on my webcam? You certainly wouldn’t be the first. Granted, engaging audiences in person and virtually have their unique challenges and solutions. That aside, in the world of social impact you have to be able to tell a compelling story and sell your position whether it is in front of a webcam or on the main stage in front of hundreds. We must
flex our presentation skills
often and presenting at a conference is a great way to force that and build those strong muscles.
Hone your craft.
You will have many eyes looking to you as the subject matter expert, hungry to learn from your experience. This is a time to reflect on your work and bring into focus the best practices you’ve picked up along the way. You’d be amazed when you are forced to fill in that presenter application (due October 16, by the way), how much you have to
hone your craft
and shape your content while critically analyzing the pieces that will be most relevant to others.
Learn…period.
Having presented for two years, I
always
learn something new. Whether it is something about myself, my work or the industry, there is always a kernel or seven that I gain. If you are looking to grow, presenting is one of the best ways to make that happen. We are all grappling with subject areas that are extremely sensitive and difficult right now. Tackle one head on and the learning and growth will follow.
Exercise your EQ.
I’ve found that presenting helps me to
exercise my EQ.
EQ includes recognizing your strengths and weaknesses and having self-confidence. EQ also encompasses social awareness – you have empathy. You can understand the emotions, needs and concerns of your audience and pick up on emotional cues. Just like flexing your presentation skill muscle, this is another hard to reach muscle that doesn’t get enough work for me. With tiny square picture thumbnails in the virtual space or attendees shifting in their seats and checking their phones in person, presenting offers you the opportunity to look for those cues, have empathy, course correct and recapture the energy in the “room.”
I hope you will consider joining me in submitting your application to present for this year’s conference, and in the process, experience one, two or all five of the above.
Alissa May is Senior Manager, Employee Volunteerism at Salesforce,
