For quite a while, I had been simmering an idea to start a group for people who had lost their jobs. Then I'd get immersed in my day-to-day routine of work and family, and it always seemed to get pushed to the back burner.
A couple of weeks ago, I had just finished a presentation on a multigenerational workplace. One of my slides said something about try something new, dare to experiment...maybe the new thing will fly; and maybe it will flop was the message. For whatever reason, I could not get that "fly or flop" thing out of my head. At dinner that evening, I was at a lovely new restaurant here in town, sharing with my dining companion the events of the day. And then all of a sudden it hit me...I was sitting smack in the middle of a great venue for a meetup. The only thing left was to find the courage to ask the owner if she would go along with my idea. I asked; she said yes. I was thrilled. I was ecstatic. And so it came to be...a new professional networking group in our community for persons who have lost their jobs. It is free to attend. All are welcome.
The group is called Between Jobs: MeetUp and Matter. I chose Between Jobs because that's the name of my book. I chose MeetUp because I like how it sounded. I added Matter because sometimes, you don't feel like you matter if you don't have a job. You do matter! Hence, Between Jobs: MeetUp and Matter. Last Monday, I hosted our first event. It was wonderful! I was delighted! Each person who came had a chance to tell their story, share their goals for the future, and offer a job tip or two to those present.
What I learned from our first MeetUp and Matter is this...two heads are better than one. Everyone has something to contribute. Collectively, many great ideas emerge. If your community does not have a Between Jobs: MeetUp and Matter, I would challenge you to simmer the idea for awhile. It may fly; it may flop; you won't know if you don't try.
