A memorable moment for me from this past Summit happened during Peter Block's plenary session. Peter had us break into small groups with people we didn't know. The idea being that one method of building community is to get engaged in small groups with people you know the least.
Through this exercise I was able to meet one of the performers from the group Elementz. Elementz is a group of young men and women who through their love of hip-hop, have come together to create a community where they can share, grow and learn. Their performance to open the Summit was inspiring and you can see it here.
Talking with this young man, this charismatic leader, was also inspiring. Hip-hop and performing are his passion. And through all the hardships he faces in his life, he struggles to find the means to achieve the meaning.
In some ways, it reminds me of the work we do with our wonderful partners in the field. Hopefully by focusing on our customers it reminds us of the meaning. It reminds us of why we do this incredibly difficult, but incredibly rewarding, job.
And by focusing on processes we're finding the means to achieve that meaning. It's the merger of the essence of who we are and the methods for becoming who we want to be.
Meeting those young people was reaffirming and a reminder that it's so important to keep going.
Dave Gustafson
Director, NIATx
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