buildOn’s First Global Chapters Conference Recap

There was a raging fire going on last week—a fire of ideas and enthusiasm exuding from buildOn leaders at the Global Chapters Conference at Nature Bridge in Sausalito, California. (Well, there was also a bonfire!) The conference was three days packed with fun and exploration, designed to invigorate our chapter leaders about buildOn’s mission.

“It was an extremely motivating event,” said Alyssa Ransbury, an alumnus who helped plan the event with buildOn’s Global Chapter Manager Tom Silverman. “As soon as I got home, all I wanted to do was buildOn stuff. Everybody was so ready to go back to their chapters and get it started again.”

Over 50 high school and college chapter leaders (including one from Australia!) participated in workshops that included learning how to fundraise and effectively marketing their buildOn campaigns. Each person was randomly matched with an accountability partner, and the pairs are expected to keep in touch for the next year. Attendees bonded during a drum circle, dancing, and stepping it up a notch during a buildOn “Oscars” award ceremony.

Speakers at the event included buildOn’s own Antonia DeMichiel , who talked about finding a passion that’s beyond her through buildOn. Reverend Keith Cox, a buildOn supporter who has helped build 17 schools; and Rich Been, from The Center for Creative Leadership, spoke about inspiring commitment. A surprising treat was when buildOn’s President and CEO, Jim Ziolkowski, reminisced with his old friend Osmar in Nicaragua via Skype about the school they built together in Osmar’s village years ago.

Take a look at what people were posting on social media using #buildOnConference:

[View the story “Global Chapters Conference 2012” on Storify]