As a fairly new member to IAIP I try to take advantage of every opportunity to participate in and attend our conferences. Every time I do it's an entirely new experience. I learn so much from attending, like enhancing my skills and networking with new friends.
I was terribly lucky that my local association was hosting our Regional conference when I joined. They immediately put me to work on more than one committee and I was happy to help. I didn't know it at the time but I look back at that first Regional I attended and realize how lost I was. I didn't know anyone, didn't really understand the different levels
within IAIP and didn't realize how special those people attending were. Having just attended another conference I can say that the experience of attending our IAIP conferences (State, Regional and National) cannot be matched.
Every conference gets me motivated and keeps my enthusiasm for our organization going. There are so many ideas that I would like to talk about when it comes to our conferences, but since this is a mentoring blog I'd like to focus on my reminders and lessons (some surprising) from my recent regional conference.
I've been teased more than once about my willingness to volunteer. This conference was no different. I was willing to help any way I could. You know from my previous blogs that I worked on helping to organize our regional for several months - and work I did! It's always worth the time and effort though.
It is very rewarding when you can work with a group of people, especially when most of them don't even live in your state, yet your project turns out wonderful.. When that happens you know you've got dedicated and talented people.
You can never go into an event like a State, Regional or National convention and expect that everything will go according to the script. You have to remember that life is fluid and just because it wasn't an expected outcome doesn't mean it wasn't a great outcome.
I get closer and more connected with our members every time we come together. I truly miss those people in-between our gatherings. Also, the more connected I feel with our members the more I feel I can rely on them to help me in a tough spot. They have always come through for me.
Another important skill I've been working on sharpening is my leadership skill. I try to pay attention to those in charge and understand their style - how they interact with members, how they interact differently depending on who they are working with, would those interactions work for me?
I am paying attention, in particular, at this time as my term as local president approaches. I suspect I will learn MANY new leadership skills over the course of our next term. I bet some of those lessons will be learned the hard way, too. I'm going to have to depend on the patience and understanding of my local members to help and guide me through those misunderstandings.
As you can imagine Regional was a great place to pay attention to leadership skills. As we made our way through the events and dates at Regional something odd and unexpected was happening. I truly didn't see it coming. People were looking to me as a leader! I came to the conference as an assistant, and I expected to be helpful, of course, but it hadn't occurred to me that I would be seen as more than an assistant. I had several people come to me for answers and direction. It dawned on me that through my short years with IAIP I have slowly started to become a leader myself! It was the first time that I could see it.
Leadership can come from a position but often it is something given by peers. I was recognized during our conference for my contribution and I can't think of a better validation.
If you get a chance to attend any of the IAIP conferences you couldn't find a better place to understand the tremendous value IAIP has to offer us as members, or a better place to learn and grow your skills, or find your own worth.
