I’m waiting here at the gate for the call to board for Chicago. It is that time of year when my colleagues and I gather at the AFCC Conference. I recall my first conference in Denver when I was just starting out as a family mediator. This sounds like it was a decade ago, but it was only a few years ago. Oddly, it does feel like many years have passed and my network of colleagues has expanded beyond a handful.
This is not just another conference; rather it is a gathering of fellow colleagues who come together to share kwoweldge and wisdoms. The kind of work we do is not one to be done alone, but rather we stretch out our tentacles and hope that we connect with others who share in our challenges and celebrate our successes. For this reason, the AFCC conferences carry with them many great opportunities to do just that. Whether it is sharing experiences over a drink where past presidents man the bar or the copious amount of workshops that are offered, it becomes evident even from my relatively few times attending, that the AFCC is not just about conferences, but also the formation of a community.
Many of us work independently so when there is an opportunity to share stories, gather knowledge and have a few drinks, it is no wonder the AFCC conferences are a highlight and something we all look forward to.
-CK
