Remote Possibilities for Meaningful Engagement

Prior to COVID-19, I would have never thought it possible to begin new employment entirely remotely, including orientation and onboarding, filling out the requisite paperwork, and building relationships with my new team of coworkers. I can tell you from experience that it is not only possible but also can be done well. It takes a tremendous amount of planning, care, and intentionality to create an experience that allows someone to feel fully connected and welcomed, but that is exactly what The Patterson Foundation (TPF) did for me.

TPF did not stop or start with just my onboarding. Immediately upon beginning to work remotely, they sought ways to shift their many in-person events and meetings to a virtual experience with every bit of the same meaningful engagement and intentionality as before. But how? By reimagining how to reach people in different ways. By considering how to deliver content and experiences in meaningful ways that fostered widespread participation tailored to participant needs. There are so many successful examples I could point to, but I will share the one which most impacted me: The Summer Blast Off! for the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading's Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge.

The Summer Blast Off! in prior years had always been a half-day immersive experience, providing far more than just the essential information about the program. The event included networking time, small group break-out sessions, large group activities, and a keynote meant to inspire all in attendance to bring their full selves to the work and to remind us all of our immense power to alter a child's life for the better through not only reading and other interactions but also by modeling what kind of person to be. After all, kids are always watching and taking cues from adults, even when we'd rather they didn't!

Summer Blast Off! was always about much more than procedures; it was about aspirations.

The enormous challenge of converting an intensive half-day seminar into a 90-minute virtual session cannot be overstated, especially when attempting to recreate meaningful interactions in new ways, without physically being in the same space.

So how in the world was TPF able to create that experience virtually? Surely that wouldn't be possible with over 250 people on a webinar, would it? And there's no way it could be done within a 90-minute time frame! Well actually…

With immaculate attention to detail and a genuinely caring spirit, Beth Duda, director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and her team did just that. They reimagined what could be possible through a webinar setting. They were committed to keeping the event centered around aspirations over procedures, even more so knowing the challenges some providers, families, and volunteers now faced due to COVID-19. Remaining keenly focused on aspirations, they brought in a powerhouse to lead the entire group through an engaging activity.
Enter spoken word poet, Cedric Hameed.

Cedric led all of us on an unforgettable journey that Saturday morning. He began his portion by openly sharing his experiences growing up as a black man and how he was shown "acts of love" in surprising ways, especially during an intense traffic stop where a white woman held his hand to ensure his safety and give him hope. That hope led to a life dedicated to humility and service fueled by innovation and love.




His sharing set the stage for everyone to contribute one-word responses to questions he asked around coping, fear, and hope. The result was an amazing original piece created by using the themes of the words that the participants shared in their responses.




There was not a dry eye from anyone on the webinar. In fact, tears were streaming down my face at such a rate that it made it almost impossible to monitor the chat as the administrator.

Why was it important to have an experience like that in a webinar kicking off a summer reading challenge? Because against the backdrop of COVID-19, it was paramount to remind ourselves that we, too, need to cope and adapt to our circumstances before we can innovate new ways for others to learn and grow. A reminder that how we interact with others will teach our kids every bit as much as any book. A reminder that we, even in the face of a global pandemic, are strong, and even stronger together. His message of hope, love, and authentic service to others serves as a cue of the good we are capable of as humans.

When we are inspired to be the best versions of ourselves, our work rises up to meet the challenges of the day—even and especially during uncertain times. Maya Angelou once said, "When we know better, we do better."

TPF now knows without a doubt that unique and meaningful experiences can be created in virtual settings. It is possible. In fact, it's just the way we roll. Agility and innovation underscore a deep commitment to providing experiences and fostering widespread participation. And it all starts by being intentional and thoughtful as we reimagine how we might send the same powerful message and foster widespread participation through a virtual experience.