It’s renewal and recruiting time for MMA Member Communities, which means I’m having lots of conversations about building relationships. The Member Community program is intended to help members connect with each other around a professional development goal by sharing with and learning from each other. Of course, the learning part is a priority, but even more important to us in this program is the “each other” part. Member Communities are about the work we do, but also the colleagues we have relationships with.

We spend a lot of time during conference planning creating times and spaces so participants can meet and talk with each other. We know that one of the most important parts of that event is the connections that are created and renewed there each year. I completely understand that. Many times throughout my career, I have had sets of “conference friends” who I only saw once a year at whatever conference we were regularly attending. And, while I felt a strong connection to these colleagues, a bond can only go so deep when you only see each other for a few hours once a year.

My colleague relationships have been much stronger when I’ve served on projects, boards, or committees with people. It is easier to get to know someone’s work style, talents, and personality when you see them regularly, and those types of encounters build trust and connection. Even decades later, it is nothing for me to send a text or email to many of these colleagues with a question or to ask advice.

Those are the types of colleague relationships we are trying to create time and space for with the MMA Member Communities. We want you to be able to engage and connect with colleagues from throughout the state in a deeper way than at the conference. We want you to get to know each other’s work and expertise through ongoing exposure to each other. And, we want you to build trust and connection.

There are currently five member communities available to join and a process for creating even more. I hope you consider being part of one of these groups to connect with your colleagues on a higher level.

Lisa Craig Brisson
Executive Director