I’m writing this while traveling to state affiliate conferences with laptop in tow, and I can’t help but think about the topic for our 2008 Annual Conference, where we’re going to explore the impact of technology on individuals, families and communities. I keep asking myself questions about how technology impacts our members who attend our affiliate and national conferences…
Do we fully leverage the expenses involved in business travel when we keep one foot back in the office doing work remotely? Are we fully “present” at an out-of-town meeting when we constantly check cell phone and/or email messages? Have you ever been to a learning session where the room cleared out entirely during a break, not because people were headed to the refreshment table but rather, because everyone went to the hallway to check their messages? Have you ever turned down the opportunity to go out to dinner with colleagues at a conference because you needed to put the finishing touches on a proposal that you didn’t get done before leaving town? If we constantly “connect” while on the road, are we sending an unintended message to colleagues or staff with whom we work that we don’t trust them to handle situations in our absence?
Bottom line, if developing relationships with colleagues is an important part of what our association provides to professionals, do we fully leverage the chance to do that at Annual Conferences if we stay technologically linked to home?
2 responses so far ↓
Corinne Thomas // March 7, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Great thoughts! Thank you for starting and maintaining this blog.
A balance is definitely needed when using the wonderful resources technology has given us. Technology is a tool, not a master, and a balance will allow us to be more efficient with our time so we CAN develop relationships with our colleagues.
Interestingly enough, I have noticed that even at conferences and meetings, colleagues, friends, etc. are keeping in touch through their cellphones or e-mail, even if they are a few rooms apart.
While it may not be as personal as a face-to-face conversation, networking does happen and in a faster way than before. For some, connecting through technology may be the only way they will ever “meet” their colleagues, much in the same way that I would not have “met” you or gotten in touch with you if you did not have this blog. 
Still, personal, face-to-face interaction is very meaningful and necessary.
Again, thanks for writing on this blog! I look forward to reading more.
Sincerely,
Corinne
Joyce Miles // April 2, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I, too, have pondered the same question about how all this technology impacts our quality of life. I am traveling to the 2008 Affiliate Meetings also and am staying connected via my Blackberry. Never, never thought I would bend to this much connection, but all of a sudden, the cell phone wasn’t enough. I had another very respected AAFCS member ask me pointedly just yesterday, “What are you doing for renewal?” She made me stop and think that with all the ability to remain connected, what I was missing was taking care of myself–taking time to read a favorite book, visiting a museum, spending more time with my spouse. All of these things were being neglected. I will promise to work on her challenge to me and to see that I stay renewed and not necessarily via the Internet or my Blackberry.
Joyce Miles
“Ellen”
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