SVN GLOBAL GATHERING RECAP
What REVIVAL awakened in us…
Over 130 participants gathered over three days in Santa Fe. We got to be in the same room and that alone turned out to matter more than any of us expected!
From the Sponsors that helped make it all possible, to the Railyard Farmer’s Market Pavilion serving as the space to gather, and the Conversation Catalysts sparking new neural pathways, it was an event that truly awakened us to not only what's possible, but to the work we have ahead of us.
Some highlights include Jessica Norwood who made the case for non-extractive capital, investment that believes in people before it asks them to prove themselves. Gina Schaefer talked about putting employees at the center of the business, and how that focus is what propelled her company forward. Brian Hardgroove, drummer for Public Enemy, spoke about our young people, the disservice the media and music industries have done to them, and the consciousness and sovereignty we lose when we stop paying attention.
Then there were the Conversation Circles where the dialogue got more personal. How does patriarchy shapes who gets funded and on what terms? What does it takes to do business for good across borders? What are the barriers to doing in-depth social impact work in our communities? It was honest talk and heartfelt conversation that don’t resolve neatly but stay with you. Some even left called to create ongoing Peer Circles based on these topics and others.
Member Moments may have been the heart of it! These beautiful shares were sprinkled into day 2 and 3 of the conference where current and brand new members opened up about what brought them here, what they are working on and what moved them while they participated in REVIVAL. People spoke candidly, with real vulnerability, and lifted up the new work taking shape across the network. Others heard it and wanted in so they became members during the conference!
We all left incredibly enriched! We know of new friendships that were formed, renewed energy around peer circles with new ones being planned, as well as regional gatherings already taking shape. It was a brilliant acknowledgement of why the work we have been doing around social impact really matters and REVIVAL was a beautiful reminder that none of us need to do it alone!
