The Meetup
new attendees at each meeting. Our veteran attendees are one of our most valuable assets and their leadership creates such a positive culture within our group. We all remember our first NCWM meeting, or a similar situation, where one person went out of their way to welcome us. That positive first impression helps build an inclusive sense of community and long-lasting relationships which then snowballs to the next “new” attendees. Another question from the survey asked how many NCWM meetings the recipient had attended. The highest response, 30%, was that the attendee had attended 2 - 5 meetings; 23% reported this being their first meeting; 22% reported 6 - 10 meetings; 20% reported 11 -20 meetings; 5% reported more than 20 meetings. What more can be done to retain that 23% of first-time attendees? What made that 30% of attendees who have attended 2 – 5 come back? These are the questions we at NCWM ask ourselves regularly. Of course, many factors play into this, but when looking at the post-meeting survey there is no question that it is the comradery grown from within our meetings which brings them back. One surefire way to break the ice as a new attendee is by joining us the night before the meeting commences at our traditional karaoke night! Let’s keep in mind that this “tradition” started just two meetings ago, but traditional nonetheless. Meeting registrants can expect an informational email from me about a week prior to the meeting including details on time and location for karaoke. This activity is completely optional and not sponsored in any way, but it has proven to be a highlight of our week so I hope to see you there. Our special event at this year’s Annual Meeting takes us to the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach for a South Pacific Luau. It will be a HOT one in a non-air-conditioned hangar so please plan accordingly. I encourage you to wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt, hat, and sunglasses. We have arranged a flight demo and a dueling piano show so you can plan for a fun evening. Remember, this is an all-inclusive event- transportation, entertainment, food and beverage- all on us! The early-bird deadline for our Annual Meeting registration and hotel room block is July 7 so there is still plenty of time to get that discounted rate. All important information can be found on NCWM. com on the Annual Meeting page and while there, you might as well look ahead to where we will “pass a good time” at the 2024 Interim Meeting! See you in July.
Elisa Stritt Meeting Planner
Ahhh springtime… The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and here at NCWM, we are happily consumed with Annual Meeting preparation. Meeting registrations are pouring in, we’re working through the fine details of the schedule, and navigating through the inevitable last-minute curveballs. It’s fair to say this is my favorite time of year; you can’t beat the electric energy within our office as we work against the clock! This year’s Annual Meeting takes us to Norfolk, Virginia where the NCWM Board of Directors and Committees hold Open Hearings on agenda items and NCWM members vote on amendments to standards. It is a week filled with productive conversation, professional growth, and networking. Whether you’ve attended for years or this will be your first time, there are plentiful opportunities to meet new weights and measures professionals from all over the country. After our Interim Meeting I emailed attendees a survey and one of the questions asked, “What is your favorite thing about NCWM meetings?”; the top comments were expressing gratitude for the opportunity to spend a week with other weights and measures professionals who understand the same day-to- day challenges. Back at home, we are often met with, “What is weights and measures? What do you do?!” from which we leave the conversation confident the inquirer still has confusion. That does not happen at NCWM meetings. Our attendees find themselves in good company: coffee pot talk about agenda items, sharing meals with new and old friends, and afterhours conversations with others who have the same mission for equity. I ask you to join us in Norfolk to not only take part in amending important standards for our country, but also to join in our community where you will fit right in. We spoke some at the Interim Meeting in Savannah about how to welcome new attendees and make clearer the process of NCWM. Perhaps the most impactful way to do so is by asking our veteran attendees to make a point to meet a handful of
15 NCWM-News
2023 Issue 2
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