Learning the skills for effective communication is like finding a great dance groove

Time to dance. I think this is cute.

Time to dance. I think this is cute.

All I can say is: WOW! What a great week at the Out & Equal 2009 Summit held at the Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World, Orlando. It never ceases to amaze me how energizing this event is. I come away from it with ideas and goals and plans bursting at the seams.

From the plenary speakers like Deloitte Chairman, Sharon Allen to the top Obama administration out LGBT person, John Berry, the Summit provided a broad depth of knowledge of LGBT issues and opportunities. I would like to highlight ones I especially liked:

• Communication Solutions(TM) from the YES! Institute really spoke to me in understanding and communicating from a Win/Win place instead of the normal Win/Lose. The “Just Be” exercise where we walked around the room like musical chairs, but when we were asked to stop, we had to “Just Be” with someone. No smiling, no talking… Just Be. I was able to pick up on some interesting self-triggers from this and found it very powerful. I also understand the next generation doesn’t want to keep the “LGBTQA” or whatever labels. They want to make it more inclusive by saying we cover gender and orientation. I like that.
• Plenary speakers are special guests who spoke to all 1,800 attendees at one time either for breakfast or lunch. Out & Equal continually brings in encouraging role models and powerful allies to speak to us during these sessions. From Leslie Jordan, Sharon Allen, John Quinones, John Berry, and Kevin Brockman.

If you ever get a chance to go to the Out & Equal Summit, please do. It will change your life.

All I can say is: WOW! What a great week at the Out & Equal 2009 Summit held at the Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World, Orlando. It never ceases to amaze me how energizing this event is. I come away from it with ideas and goals and plans bursting at the seams.

From the plenary speakers like Deloitte Chairman, Sharon Allen to the top Obama administration out LGBT person, John Berry, the Summit provided a broad depth of knowledge of LGBT issues and opportunities. I would like to highlight ones I especially liked:

• Communication Solutions(TM) from the YES! Institute really spoke to me in understanding and communicating from a Win/Win place instead of the normal Win/Lose. The “Just Be” exercise where we walked around the room like musical chairs, but when we were asked to stop, we had to “Just Be” with someone. No smiling, no talking… Just Be. I was able to pick up on some interesting self-triggers from this and found it very powerful. I also understand the next generation doesn’t want to keep the “LGBTQA” or whatever labels. They want to make it more inclusive by saying we cover gender and orientation. I like that.
• Plenary speakers are special guests who spoke to all 1,800 attendees at one time either for breakfast or lunch. Out & Equal continually brings in encouraging role models and powerful allies to speak to us during these sessions. From Leslie Jordan, Sharon Allen, John Quinones, John Berry, and Kevin Brockman.

If you ever get a chance to go to the Out & Equal Summit, please do. It will change your life.

See you in Orlando next week for the Out & Equal Summit! Here are some scenes from last year’s Summit in Austin.

This year marks my fourth year for attending the Summit. Each year I have progressed from attendee to now presenter! I have a workshop I’m a panel member for developing a vibrant Regional Affiliate.

Hope to see you there!