SAF2021: Tips and Advice to Make the Most of Your Convention Experience
October 13, 2021
SAF asked two members who have attended past national conventions to share their thoughts and tips on how to engage and make your convention experience a memorable and inspiring one. Read the two blog posts below to learn more about how to engage and connect with fellow forestry and natural resource professionals at SAF2021.
Embracing the New and Remaining Connected in a Virtual World
By Tracey Coulter
I am a child of the ‘50s, a time when classrooms smelled of mimeograph ink and we struggled to form the cursive letters that today’s children aren’t taught to read. This virtual world challenges me like my handwritten notes confound my grandchildren. Teleworking began in earnest with the arrival of COVID-19. Next came virtual conferences, and soon my days were filled navigating Zoom and Skype and Teams and further immersion into that cyber world of multiple passwords and digital file sharing. Ugh.
I missed walking down the hall to ask a question and the casual chit-chat among colleagues; still, as time went on, I began to see the benefits of this new way of connecting. I could collaborate with colleagues in other regions of the state without spending hours in the car. And in truth, I spent more time with them than I had in all the years prior. And yes, I was able to take advantage of virtual seminars, webinars, and conferences without the barriers of travel costs and time away. This brave new world began to seem more appealing.
I came to forestry later than most, already a grandmother when I was hired by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry in 2004. I joined SAF in 1999 while enrolled in the Forest Technology program at Penn State Mont Alto. Two years later, I was selected as a Diversity Scholarship attendee to the 2001 Convention in Denver and was poised to fly out when the September 11 attacks closed the airports. It wasn’t until 2006 that I was able to attend a Convention—memorable not only because Dr. Wangari Maathai was the special guest speaker, but also because it was held in my home state of Pennsylvania, and I was able to actively participate in planning and supporting the Convention. There I met and worked side-by-side with folks from around the country. We may work in different ecosystems or view forests through different lenses—none-the-less, we are a community—Convention brings that point home.
Convention for me is an opportunity to connect with others that speak a common language around our forest resources. Through working groups, I network with others in my field of agroforestry and mentor students from diverse backgrounds and life perspectives. It’s wonderful to follow erstwhile students as they begin their careers. Admittedly, that’s mostly through social media, so I guess I am not truly a Luddite!
Which brings me back to the point of this blog—connecting virtually is still connecting—catching up with old friends, making new friends, building networks of knowledge and business opportunities, and supporting each other in our chosen field—it all matters. Finally—you’ll keep in touch with folks you’ll see in person in 2022!
Here’s hoping to “see” you in November as we celebrate “Forests for All.”
Tracey Coulter is the former chair of the SAF Agroforestry Working Group and currently serves as chapter secretary for the Rothrock Chapter. Including SAF2021, she has attended the last six national conventions. She can be reached at [email protected].
Making the Most of Convention: Tips for Students and Early-Career Professionals
By Jacob D. Putney, CCF
The first opportunity I had to attend a full SAF National Convention was 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. Of the conferences, workshops, and tours I have attended, I’ve always found National Convention to be one of the best experiences for learning, networking, professional development, and an overall good time. However, it can be overwhelming. Each day is jam-packed with tours, meetings, presentations, workshops, quiz bowl, and social events; it’s difficult to coordinate how to fit in everything and make the most of your time. Though the 2021 Convention will be virtual, it is still imperative to have a plan. Here are some tips for making the most of Convention from a student, and now early-career professional, perspective:
1.
Know the Program: Much like a syllabus week, take the time to read through the program and know what is going on each day before Convention starts. This will give you a sense of when each day will start, what to expect, and an idea of how to spend your time.
2.
Prioritize: Several sessions, particularly the presentations, will run concurrently, so you won’t be able to attend every single one. There might be two presentations that sound interesting but are scheduled for the same time-block. A silver lining of the virtual Convention is that sessions will be recorded, so if you miss a live presentation, you can always go back and watch the recording. Sessions are usually organized by subject area, so read through each session and highlight the presentations you are most interested in attending.
3.
Take Time for Yourself: This will look differently between the in-person and virtual setting, but you don’t have to fill a full day of attending various events. I know that registration is expensive, and you want to make the most of it, but a large part of the experience are the interactions you don’t get during a workshop or presentation. Be sure to take some time to explore the exhibit hall, interact with folks, and unwind. In-person, this might include snagging some free swag from various vendor booths, perusing the silent auction, or going to lunch with other students or professionals. Virtually, there will be a career fair and resume building workshop, as well as roundtables on a variety of topics, and you can still peruse the virtual silent auction and bid on items. Try to find opportunity to meet and interact with folks during these sessions or breaks.
4.
Start a Conversation: Though it may seem like it at first, not everyone that attends Convention knows each other. Convention attracts a wide variety of folks from universities, organizations, agencies, non-profits, industry, and everywhere in between, from all over the country. The best tip I have for networking, seeking opportunity, or even making new friends is to have the confidence to just walk up and start a conversation with someone. This year’s Convention will feature a robust chat function within the virtual platform, so send someone a message and introduce yourself, you never know where it might lead.
This year’s virtual Convention may make some of these things easier, but others more difficult. However, taking these tips, and defining what you would like to accomplish, will reduce stress, and ensure an exciting and engaging Convention experience. Be sure to keep these in the back of your mind as Convention approaches, and I look forward to “seeing” you there!
Jacob Putney is an Extension Forester with Oregon State University Extension Service. He currently serves as the Delegate-at-Large for Oregon SAF and as Chapter Chair for the Blue Mountain Chapter. He can be reached at [email protected].