She Goes High<\/a>, is less focused on the content of each event, and is more interested in the community and connection we create at the events. One of the ways we create a different experience of community and connection is by being introvert-focused. So many activities, whether professional, social or otherwise, are designed around the preferences of extroverts. For example, walking into a new space and meeting a bunch of people all at once can be a challenge for an introvert. We learn how to adapt or fit in when we can, but I really wanted to flip that and create a space that was designed for introverts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOur events aren\u2019t focused on transactional relationships. People who attend aren\u2019t just looking for their next clients or jobs. It\u2019s all about getting to know each other on a deeper level. One thing we say a lot at She Goes High is that we want to know who you are, not just what you do.<\/em> <\/strong>It\u2019s this space where women are welcome to come in as they are\u2014you don’t have to wear the right clothes or say the right things to be welcomed, accepted, and celebrated. During a typical event, we get to know each other through introductions. Instead of elevator pitches, we get to know each other by sharing something we\u2019ve done in the last week that makes us proud. Then we enjoy an educational presentation, interview, or roundtable discussion on a women\u2019s leadership topic. We love to feature female community leaders, and our presenters don\u2019t need to be professional speakers because we know every woman is making a difference in her own unique way. <\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce the group began to take off I saw that I wasn\u2019t the only one that needed this kind of group. It became very clear to me that this is my purpose. Bringing women together in an encouraging, welcoming environment is what I\u2019m meant to do.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
How have you seen the impact of your group?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n I started She Goes High in 2017 because it was the type of community that I was looking for for many years: a group where I don\u2019t have to change myself to fit in or get someone else\u2019s approval. Once the group began to take off I saw that I wasn\u2019t the only one that needed this kind of group. It became very clear to me that this is my purpose. Bringing women together in an encouraging, welcoming environment is what I\u2019m meant to do. We practice speaking up for ourselves, to shine fully, to be brave and beautiful as we make a difference in the world. This group gives introverts a place to go to be seen, to celebrate wins, to practice new skills, and learn new things, but not in a way that feels performative. Embracing our differences, including our own introversion, means showing up and celebrating women as we are, not performing or comparing. Helping other women become their true selves is the most rewarding activity I can imagine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow have you adapted to online events during the pandemic?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n I love in-person events and prefer them most of the time, but going virtual has allowed the community to be accessible to more women. This is especially important given the she-cession, the phenomenon where women are leaving the workforce at disproportionate rates during the pandemic. Shifting to online events has been great because it allows us to continue to be present for women who might not have been able to attend otherwise: women who are being impacted by this pandemic and are looking for a place to be able to show up, find support, and practice leadership.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you keep your group engaged?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Since our group\u2019s focus is to support and encourage women, it\u2019s crucial that we show up for our members consistently. One way we encourage this is by scheduling our events out pretty far in advance. This way, when someone shows up and they like what we\u2019re about, they can plan ahead to attend our future events and add them to their calendar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s also a level of engagement that involves how the leadership team shows up. We consistently show up for ourselves, such as taking care of ourselves, living authentically, and being bold in work and life. This gives energy and permission for other introverted women to show up for themselves and do the same. We\u2019re not just focused on creating amazing programming, though we do that, too. Our leaders model being brave and showing that we\u2019re comfortable taking up our space in the world. This environment creates another level of engagement that keeps women coming back. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDo you have any tips for organizers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a Meetup organizer, I\u2019d say consistency is huge. Reliable, consistent events show that the group is still going to be there for your audience in the future. Create events that are about the experience\u2014what are the feelings you want your members to have when they show up, when they\u2019re at the event, and when they leave? Plan every part of your group and community around that experience. If you\u2019re really clear on what experience you\u2019re creating in your group, it creates engagement and consistency and draws the right members to your group, rather than having to do a lot of extra work to bring people in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m really grateful to have started on the Meetup platform. When many people move to a new location or find a new hobby, and they wonder how they can get involved and meet new people, a lot of people come to Meetup, and that\u2019s one of the huge benefits and values for organizers. When your group is there, active, consistent, and focused on creating an experience, Meetup helps people find you so easily. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDo you have a great Meetup story to share? <\/em>Let us know<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chrysta Bairre, founder and CEO of She Goes High, shares her experience organizing an introvert-focused women\u2019s leadership group in Fort Collins, CO. <\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":5691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,28,44],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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