Tuesday, February 18: Virtual Meetup

Bring your ideas! This is your community. We’d love to hear what you’d like to do. We’ll use this time to gather your ideas on how and when you’d like to come together. Volunteer to lead or host an event. Bring your interests, your energy and help shape this community! If you can't make the meetup, please email me your contributions!

Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Zoom! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84778986675?pwd=rbpkDUmqEbizhWevJR29zqZfFeygjY.1

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February APAC Alumni Gathering: Hoarding, Downsizing, Minimalism

19 Feb 5pm AEDT / 4pm Brisbane

Hosted by Tom Chapman (tomchapman500@gmail.com)

Are you secretly a hoarder?

Just cant let go of that teapot or old couch?

What is your attitude to letting go of things we never use or no longer serve us?

The practice of minimalism isn't about having less, it's about making room for more: more time, more peace, and more freedom to pursue the things we value most.

Minimalism is 'the intentional promotion of the things we value and the removal of anything that distracts us.” From the definition we can see that minimalism is all about having a clear picture of the things you value the most in your life — the stuff that takes most of your space and time. Then intentionally removing everything else that impedes what has value in your world.

Lets discuss and share how you might clear away the clutter: physical, mental, digital..

Join here 19 Feb 5pm AEDT / 4pm Brisbane

https://meet.google.com/rpv-hqdd-xos

Friday, February 21: Love Poems to Ourselves / Our lives

February is National Poetry Month. Bring a poem to share and let’s talk about ways to love this chapter of our lives. Let’s also show a little love to a local black-owned business while we’re at it, in support of Black History Month.

Time: 8:30 am – 10:30 am

Location: Triangle Coffee House

3109 Shannon Rd

Bldg 3 Ste 101

Durham, NC 27707

https://trianglecoffeehouse.com/

To get your juices flowing, take a read of this wonderful poem by Adrienne Rich, from her collection, Time's Power: Poems 1985-1988

Delta

If you have taken this rubble for my past
raking though it for fragments you could sell
know that I long ago moved on
deeper into the heart of the matter

If you think you can grasp me, think again:
my story flows in more than one direction
a delta springing from the riverbed
with its five fingers spread

WHEN: Saturday 2/22 10:00 - 11:30 AM
TITLE: Re-imagining Gatherings to Deepen Meaning & Connection
WHERE: On Zoom — Registration info will be coming soon!

TOPIC:

• Fellow chapter member @Parinaz Lajevardi applied practices from The Art of Gathering to transform her get-togethers from run-of-the-mill to amazing ones that left community members feeling more deeply connected.
• Pari will introduce ideas and practices to us, and offer practical takeaways.
• We will break into groups BY GEOGRAPHY so you can get to know the folks closest to you better.
• In these groups, you’ll be invited to plan one casual get-together for your local community, if you so choose.

Sunday February 23:  A Nature Walk in the Brumley North Nature Preserve.

This event is open to the public and is sponsored by Chapel Hill Wild Birds Unlimited. All ages welcome. Bring your cameras, binoculars and closed-toed shoes.

8:30 – 10:00 am

Meeting address:

3620 Old NC 10

Durham, NC 27705

Weather permitting. Rain date: 3/2/25

https://triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/brumley-forest-nature-preserve

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We are so looking forward to our next monthly meeting coming on Friday, February 28th at 4pm HST.  

Here is a link to the meeting and you will also be sent an invite by email. This will likely be our last via Zoom as all MEA chapters around the world are soon going to be managed out of the new MEA Community platform - which we are really excited about!  

Topics to be discussed will be:

1. Getting to know one another, which will be a perennial topic. The prompt for February is ‘things that inspire awe’. Awe can arise from the extraordinary and the everyday, often linked to a sense of vastness, beauty, or deep emotional resonance. What inspires awe can be deeply personal, shaped by individual experiences and values. Below we’ve added a list of small and large examples - what comes to mind for you?  We look forward to sharing.
2. Brainstorming ideas of how we want to continue to build our community this year, including ideas for in-person get togethers - both intra-island and inter-island.
3. A quick primer/walk through of the new MEA community site so we’ll all be ready for our March meeting!  For now, you can explore the online version here, which is also available as an app. If you are not already on it (Corazon members, chapter leads, and some local chapters have been rolled out earlier), you will be invited soon - come to our meeting with your questions. :) 

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Come join us for an informational Zoom call about the 2nd annual Alumni World Travel Experience in Umbria, Italy.  We have rented a 9-bedroom, 16th Century palazzo in the charming town of SanGemini. Any and all MEA alumni are invited to spend 1 to 4 weeks with other like-minded individuals to experience the beauty and history of the area.  No agenda except for our welcome dinner the Saturday of each week, prepared by a local chef.

• Date: Tuesday February 25.
• Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Eastern Time (12:30 pm to 1:30 pm Atlantic).
• Master Class Resource: Jill Nykoliation with "Design Your Year With Intention"
• Meeting Format: 30 minute intro by the resource followed by a 30 minute facilitated Alumni discussion.

Unlock your inner superhero and join us for a session that’s all about you—your hidden talents, untapped strengths, and the incredible potential you might not even know you have. No capes required (but totally encouraged). Together, we’ll dive into what makes you extraordinary, and who knows? You might just leave feeling like the star of your own Marvel-worthy origin story. Don’t miss your chance to power up—your super-self awaits!

Registration will be available on the NEW alumni portal once the Atlanta chapter is launched!

When: February 26th, 4pm - 6pm ET

Where: Leslie Bartlett's home (address given to RSVPs)

RSVP: Register here.

Note, we will need to limit this to the first 20 alumni who register so register soon!

We live in interesting times.

Whether it's one of life's many transitions, a crisis of purpose, or situations that challenge our abilities to determine the right course of action (what Bruce Feiler calls "life quakes"), we are routinely forced to adapt, reorient, and start over again as we seek to live a good life. In this workshop, I will share a few ideas that have helped me help a lot of people in my "encore" career.

You will:

• Learn a unique way to practice Gratitude that will elevate your baseline sense of wellbeing;
• Complete an exercise that will heighten your awareness of the many resources you possess,
  and;
• Learn to use a simple tool to focus on those things that will bring you more happiness,
  fulfillment, meaning, and joy.

Join us for a scenic and casual Beach Walk in Laguna Beach!

Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM

Location: Treasure Island Park, public underground parking lot just south of The Montage Resort.
Enter at Coast Highway and Wesley Street for underground parking along the beach.
Google Maps Link

Enjoy a relaxed group walk and talk on the paved walkway at The Montage Resort, with stunning ocean views as the backdrop.

After the walk, for those interested, we’ll gather for food and drinks at a nearby restaurant or the Montage lobby for more conversation and connection.

This is an informal occasion to get acquainted with fellow MEA alums in the OC area and explore ideas for future gatherings in 2025.

Join us for our monthly virtual gathering! Each meeting will have a consistent format with room for organic third vault conversations

Meeting Format:  

1. Welcome / reflection - 5min

2. Get to know a Chapter member - 10min

3. Break Out – with conversation starter –15 mins

4. Presentation on Selected Topic - 10min

5. Break Out – with conversation starter on same topic – 15 mins

6. Closing - 5min

Join us for our monthly gathering!

Starting Friday March 7, we will have a “First Fridays” casual meetup. We’ll meet same time, same place the first Friday of each month. Host: Renée Peet

Time - 8:30 – 10:30 am

Location:

Fare & Fellow

4001 NC-54 Suite 2150, Durham, NC 27709

https://www.fareandfellow.com/

Upcoming Fridays:

March 7 – Kay Patel leading

April 4

May 2

June 6

Save the date!!

Who is excited for SXSW coming up in March? I am thrilled to announce that Chip Conley will be back in Austin and will join us for the MEA March gathering on Saturday, March 8, from 2 - 4pm in Zilker Park. Bring a chair or blanket as we will gather in circle and enjoy one of the most beautiful parks in the state. Leashed pets and +1s are welcome too :-)  Some of the group may take a walk on Lady Bird Trail so prepare accordingly if you would like to join. Please RSVP to me by Feb 28.

Save the date!

Learn how with Christian de la Huerta, Miami- based award winning author, TEDx speaker, transformational coach and founder of Soulful Power. His programs teach us how to unleash our greatest potential - impacting not just our lives, but the lives of our family, community and world. Participants in this private event will get a sneak peak into Christian’s newest book coming out this June.

When: Monday March 11th

When: 5:00 - 8:00 PM

Hosts: Wendy Poe & Julie Levi

Where: Wendy’s Home in Delray Beach (address and gate code given with RSVP)

Event Format:

5- 6 PM: Meet & Greet

6- 7 PM: Soulful Connections

7- 8 PM: Q&A Christian; mingle

• Wine, Sodas & Snacks served
• Bring your favorite appetizer to share and a journal to capture session wisdom
• Availability limited to first 15 registrations

RSVP: wendy@wendypoe.com

Join us for our monthly virtual gathering!

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Wednesday, March 12th 12-1 CT 

The link for the calls: zoomwithjannfreed.com

 You do not need to RSVP. Just join us if you can. 

Thursday, March 13

12:00-1:00pm

You’ll receive a Microsoft Teams invitation to join the call; the link can also be accessed here.

We’ll take a deeper dive in our breakout groups on this MEA topic:

How to manage change in our hyper-connected world. Crush. founder Janis Nakano Spivack’s rapid-reset methodology taps your authentic intelligence so your choices are better suited for what works for you, rather than what people tell you you should do. Here’s the video.

We had such a wonderful time gathering in May 2024 in-person, and so we will do the same this March 22, 2025. It will again be in my apartment in downtown Chicago on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 4:30-6:30. Please reply to this email to RSVP, and I will then send you the details.

At the event in May, we discussed various topics, and one that came up was how to navigate the social impact sector - what are the opportunities, how to explore organizations that not only are of interest, but also are effective and well respected in their field, and many other questions.

I am thrilled to announce that Eric Weinheimer has graciously agreed to be our expert for the day. He is the absolute best resource for this topic and we are so fortunate to host him. Eric was the leader of Forefront, the leading organization around social impact in Illinois.

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Here is Eric's bio:

Eric Weinheimer is a Senior Vice President and Philanthropic Strategist for the National Consulting and Advisory Practice at Bank of America Private Bank, based in Chicago, IL.In his role, Eric delivers customized consulting and advisory services to nonprofit clients’ boards of directors and senior leaders.  His areas of expertise include strategic planning, board governance, revenue diversification, and social enterprise.  He also has extensive experience in working with high-net worth individuals and families in identifying and achieving their philanthropic goals. Previously, Eric served as President and CEO of Forefront, a regional association of grantmakers, nonprofits, advisors, social entrepreneurs, and impact investors.  He was also President and CEO of The Cara Program, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive training, job placement and support services to individuals who are homeless and struggling in poverty.  During Eric’s tenure, The Cara Program founded and established 3 social enterprises, including Cleanslate Chicago.  He has also served as Interim CEO for nonprofits that have experienced significant internal challenges and crises. Eric earned a B.S. from Boston College and an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Public Service.  Eric serves on the Advisory Board for Booth’s Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation.   He also serves on the Board of Directors for Growing Community Media, the Network for Young Adult Success and the Economic Club of Chicago.

I hope you can join Eric and me for what will be a fun and informative early evening. Light refreshments will be served. The timing might lend itself to a great night in the city if you plan a dinner afterward! My apartment has limited seating so first come first served! The May event was a full house!

• Date: Tuesday March 25
• Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Eastern Time (1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Atlantic).
• Master Class Resource: Resource/topic to be confirmed. Stay tuned!
• Meeting Format: 20 minute intro by the resource followed by a 40 minute facilitated Alumni discussion.

It’s time to put down our screens and step into the wild world of real-life interactions.Save the date and plan to join us for our first 2025 IRL MEA Meet up where you’ll meet fellow wise and accomplished professionals, share some laughs, and confirm that no one’s secretly wearing pajama pants!

We promise great conversations, new connections, and maybe even a bit of inspiration.

Check back for exact location!

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Registration will be available on the NEW alumni portal once the Atlanta chapter is launched!

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MEA MIDATL ANNUAL EVENT – Brunch & Cherry Blossoms in DC

We are planning a repeat of this wonderful event to bring together MEA alums from across the MIDATL region for brunch and discussion on the DC Wharf – in prime-time cherry blossom season. Watch for more.

Date: Sunday, March 31, 2025
Time: 11:30-3:00 PM
Venue: watch for announcement

RSVP: christinezmuda@outlook.com

Join us for our monthly gathering!

Join us for our monthly virtual gathering! Each meeting will have a consistent format with room for organic third vault conversations

Meeting Format:  

1. Welcome / reflection - 5min

2. Get to know a Chapter member - 10min

3. Break Out – with conversation starter –15 mins

4. Presentation on Selected Topic - 10min

5. Break Out – with conversation starter on same topic – 15 mins

6. Closing - 5min

Starting Friday March 7, we will have a “First Fridays” casual meetup. We’ll meet same time, same place the first Friday of each month. Host: Renée Peet

Time - 8:30 – 10:30 am

Location:

Fare & Fellow

4001 NC-54 Suite 2150, Durham, NC 27709

https://www.fareandfellow.com/

Upcoming Fridays:

March 7 – Kay Patel leading

April 4

May 2

June 6

Save the date!!

Save the date!

Join us for our monthly virtual gathering!

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Wednesday, April 16th 12-1 CT 

The link for the calls: zoomwithjannfreed.com

 You do not need to RSVP. Just join us if you can. 

Join us for this month's gathering!

Each month, use the same link to join:

https://meet.google.com/rpv-hqdd-xos

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Quarterly PNW Chapter Meeting Schedule (Times are friendly for Mountain & Pacific Time Zones)

Virtual Evening Wrap Up:

April 16, 2025 @8:30 MST

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkdeqsqTIoG9KJqqD1yULMub35lmfrU1Wq

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Save the date!

• Date: Tuesday April 29.
• Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Eastern Time (1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Atlantic).
• Master Class Resource: Resource/topic to be confirmed. Stay tuned!
• Meeting Format: 20 minute intro by the resource followed by a 40 minute facilitated Alumni discussion.

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Starting Friday March 7, we will have a “First Fridays” casual meetup. We’ll meet same time, same place the first Friday of each month. Host: Renée Peet

Time - 8:30 – 10:30 am

Location:

Fare & Fellow

4001 NC-54 Suite 2150, Durham, NC 27709

https://www.fareandfellow.com/

Upcoming Fridays:

March 7 – Kay Patel leading

April 4

May 2

June 6

Save the date!!

Save the date!

Kafi is one of Atlanta's own MEA Alumni and is "Fired Up!"Join us and hear her perspective on how the small changes we make provide a big impact with conscious and consistent intent that get us to who and how we want to show up in our world. Known by her clients as the Fire Starter, she reignites those who feel their flame is starting to fade.

Born and raised in London, Kafi now lives in Atlanta and is known for her work as a top speaker, facilitator, coach and mentor.

She loves leading results-based workshops and transformational experiences around the world that help ambitious people play bigger.

In addition to being an expert facilitator, Kafi supports clients through one-to-one coaching, group programs, intensive experiences and transformational retreats.

Kafi uniquely blends her expertise as a management consultant, certified fitness professional and work-life balance expert to help driven, high-performers get out of their own way!Don't miss this chance to re- ignite your passion within!

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Registration will be available on the NEW alumni portal once the Atlanta chapter is launched!

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Join us for this month's gathering!

Each month, use the same link to join:

https://meet.google.com/rpv-hqdd-xos

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• Date: Tuesday May 27.
• Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Eastern Time (1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Atlantic).
• Master Class Resource: Kari Cardinale with "Understanding the Triple Threats in Transitional Intelligence (TQ)"
• Meeting Format: 20 minute intro by the resource followed by a 40 minute facilitated Alumni discussion.

Join us for our monthly gathering!

Starting Friday March 7, we will have a “First Fridays” casual meetup. We’ll meet same time, same place the first Friday of each month. Host: Renée Peet

Time - 8:30 – 10:30 am

Location:

Fare & Fellow

4001 NC-54 Suite 2150, Durham, NC 27709

https://www.fareandfellow.com/

Upcoming Fridays:

March 7 – Kay Patel leading

April 4

May 2

June 6

Join us for this month's gathering!

Each month, use the same link to join:

https://meet.google.com/rpv-hqdd-xos

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• Date: Tuesday June 24.
• Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Eastern Time (1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Atlantic).
• Master Class Resource: Kari Cardinale with "Exploring the Power of Glimmers in Transitional Intelligence (TQ)"
• Meeting Format: 20 minute intro by the resource followed by a 40 minute facilitated Alumni discussion.

Save the Date!

Join us for our monthly gathering!

Can your own words, written in a journal for your eyes only, inspire creativity and support your personal growth?

"YES!" says our journaling expert, Wayne South Smith. Join us and learn from our speaker about how to use journaling to continue personal development and cultivate or deepen our habit of journaling. Wayne says, :I believe we were created to express creativity.  My practice of writing and coaching writers balances my creative passion."

An native Atlantan and a graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of Journalism, Wayne's features have been published in national and regional magazines, as well as local newspapers. He has also written fiction and creative non-fiction short stories, produced scripts for film, stage and puppet theater, and authored web copy, marketing and instructional materials for schools and corporate clients.  Currently, Wayne blogs on creativity and the writing process upon which his book, Writing Spirit, is based.

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Registration will be available on the NEW alumni portal once the Atlanta chapter is launched!

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MEA Alumni 2025 Summer Camp in the San Juan Islands August 15-17, 2025

The Seattle Alumni Chapter of MEA is organizing a Summer Camp next August on San Juan Island. All MEA alumni and their friends and families are welcome. If you want to join us, we recommend making a reservation ASAP, by end of October -- Lakedale is very popular in the summer and likely to sell out.

When: August 15-17, 2025

Where: Lakedale on SanJuan Island

What: Water sports, circle, yoga, meditation, crafts, hiking, fireside chats, games, and more!

Cost: Everyone is expected to cover their own costs for lodging, transportation, and food. We also ask each person to contribute to the "collective effervescence" by offering their talent, skills, and wisdom to the programmatic offerings (e.g. lead a morning yoga, hike, game, or circle). This is 100% volunteer run.

RSVP: Registration involves two steps –

1. Book your desired accommodations at Lakedale (many budget and lifestyle options: campsite, canvas tent, yurt, lodge room, cabin).
2. Email measeattlechapter@gmail.com to let us know that you'll be attending so that we can keep a good headcount. (subject line: Summer camp)

BIG THANK YOU to Sheila Tallmon, the amazing former camp director, who is organizing the weekend and Seattle co-leaders Aaron Hurst, Marcy Porus-Gottlieb and Val Courtney.

Hope to see you there next summer!

Quarterly PNW Chapter Meeting Schedule (Times are friendly for Mountain & Pacific Time Zones)

Virtual Happy Hour:

‍August 20, 2025 @5:30 MST

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pc-ysqjMqEt2tqdASY8bnYDH6yvVsHo5s

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Save the date!

Save the Date!

Save the date!

Save the date!

Quarterly PNW Chapter Meeting Schedule (Times are friendly for Mountain & Pacific Time Zones)

Virtual Evening Wrap Up:

November 19, 2025 @8:30 MST

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAod-yppjkrG9RApO1hQIKso0Qy3rHxGzM_

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Save the Date!