Cultural Wealth
A participant at the most recent meeting of the Columbus Social Media Cafe asked me why I chose to attend the first meeting which took place in November of last year. I told her that I was simply curious to meet the writers of the blogs that I read each day.
What I’ve discovered over the past few months is that these people, the people I met during that first meeting, are people that I’ve come to know as friends. While we come from different backgrounds and have a wide variety of interests, we all share a common passion for the city of Columbus. And through these new found friends, I’ve discovered how much fun life can be when we work together. Whether its been getting together for a casual conversation, sharing gardening tips, making plans to set up a park-wide Wi-Fi network, or podcasting while we grab a bit to eat, its the act of participation that makes it exciting.
The excitement comes from learning more about this dynamic city. For example, our most recent meeting was hosted at OCLC - Online Computer Library - the largest in the world and its right here in Columbus. This nonprofit facility connects the worlds libraries. I find this fascinating. I also learned about TechColumbus, a local organization that’s essentially an incubator for technology businesses in the area.
This ever expanding group of people bring, not only their passions to the table, they also bring the resources they have to offer. It is through this combination that any endeavor finds success. This is a group of people who are not just watching things happening, this is a group of people that are making things happen.
Yes, Columbus Social Media Cafe is a place for social connection, but more importantly it is about sharing the ideas that are making Columbus one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. Its a richness that goes beyond what money can buy.
May 2, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Jeff, thank you for verbalizing what I’ve been thinking ever since Tuesday. I was looking at the WOSU mission: “The mission of The WOSU Stations is to enrich lives through programming and community services that educate, inform, entertain, and inspire.”
It sounds like you have felt this mission in action through the CSMC, as have I. The best part is, this group has become so much bigger than any of its parts in such a short time.
May 2, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Agreed Suzanne. Jeff, you’ve put in text the richness of the relationships that are arising from this organization and I think this is as important a reason as any that we continue to nuture it, grow it and see what a wonderful impact we have on our community through it.