Do you ever get the sense the best parts of conferences happen outside of the schedule?
Some sessions at formal conferences make me want to stage an escape.
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Since 1996, the Alliance for Biking & Walking has recognized that the best learning happens through peer connection. We help active transportation advocates win and strengthen their organizations – in part by bringing advocates together at our biennial Leadership Retreat.
The best takeaways don't come from bigwig academics or mighty elected officials. You don't work through your organization's roadblocks by sitting through a stuffy panel session.
(Putin agrees:)
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The best learning happens when talking to peers about what's working, what's not, and what's next. The Alliance Leadership Retreat is devoted entirely to this kind of peer learning.
Last year, I attended a conference for progressive organizers from all around the world. I asked my friend, a policy director at a big national environmental organization, how the event was going. He said, "Great! I have a big idea for a new campaign, and I got drinks with the three people who I think have done similar campaigns well. It was really helpful."
Here's how many formal sessions he had been to: zero.
The Leadership Retreat is geared more towards facilitated discussion rather than top-down presentation. There will be plenty of free time to follow up on new ideas and create action-oriented plans for next steps. And this year, the Retreat will include an unconference to encourage spontaneous brilliance.
Academics and legislators are great. But the real experts are the folks who are winning at the grassroots level.
State and local biking and walking advocates don't just talk about change. We make change happen. And when we work together we're a dream team.
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Come be a part of the community of activists working for biking and walking change. Join us at the Leadership Retreat this September.
