Good Measure, Returning to Community
The following reflection piece was written by Amanda Miller, Good Measure facilitator and former Data & Systems Consultant.
Walking up to the venue, I felt a nervous twinge in my gut. It had been too long since I’d seen these people in person, too long since I’d felt the electric energy of a room of colleagues, no, friends, talking about data in a way that made me feel joy and connection. As I entered the room, three smiles met mine – from different avenues of my life, all here to support this event, to inspire creativity and passion around a central thread: supporting nonprofit staff in building a thriving community centered around data, evaluation, and impact.
As we set up, I scanned the registration list. Some names I knew. Many, I didn’t. I was excited to see new faces and reconnect with familiar ones. Being a part of the Good Measure community means welcoming each person to conversation and expanding networks centered around collaboration and support.
The room filled slowly, folks taking their time, getting coffee, getting settled. The pacing was unrushed, welcoming. I quelled my sense of urgency that screamed, start on time! And took cues from my Good Measure comrades that starting 20 minutes late was not only OK, but it was also needed. It was necessary to give people time to check in, catch up, get settled, and feel comfortable and open enough to engage in an authentic and meaningful way.
Small groups formed naturally, and as we began the program, folks turned their heads toward the front of the room. Ashika and Sierra began with introductions, not just of Good Measure and their roles, but of themselves and their stories, sharing their excitement to kick off a new era of programming.
These people in front of me cared so much, so deeply about community-centric data and evaluation, I couldn’t help but grin. When it was my turn, I spoke about my own backstory with data and evaluation, my journey with Good Measure and who I am as a person, at my core. The values that drive me to this work, that keep me saying yes, I’m in, time and time again. We broke out into small groups and started talking, and I quelled the introvert inside me and joined a group up front. Strangers for only a moment, we introduced ourselves and got to talking. We talked and talked, about what works within our organizations and how data is shared and celebrated. How we build connections and relationships with others in our orbit, celebrating the results of our people-centric work.
Of course, we went right to our stop time, wanting to carry the conversation forward beyond just this physical space. Emails and business cards were exchanged, hugs were given, conversations lingered as we packed up the room. The connections formed here today would expand each of our networks, creating friendships and supports, amplifying our impact and our excitement for this work.
As I reflect on the Data and Evaluation Quarterly Series kick-off event, I am filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for this community. Our jobs are like the mirrors we don’t often have time to take but a glance into, reflecting the value of the long hours, the hard days, the wins, both impossibly small and astoundingly large. As a data and evaluation professional, I never take for granted that I am granted the time to really look at the data, and turn numbers and stories into a true showcase of our impact on the communities we walk alongside.
Good Measure is the space where we can turn our mirrors toward each other and amplify each other’s light, sharing our experiences, reinforcing the message, and creating the space for all of us to shine brighter than if we were alone. I look forward to the next Data and Evaluation Quarterly Series and all the good things to come from my Good Measure community, because without it, my days are not nearly as bright.