In January’s Southern Oregon Chapter of the ASSP monthly meeting at Black Bear Diner, we were blessed to hear a presentation from David Hanson, a Senior Safety Consultant with SAIF Corporation. He presented on how to retrain our brain to make conscious decisions that influence safety, time, money, and resources in our organizations. There was a crowd of local safety professionals on hand to participate in this great opportunity to learn and network.
Seeing the group made me reflect on past meetings. Prior to COVID-19, we were having excellent meetings routinely, and there were many long-time attendees whose presence assured valuable networking among the local safety community. It was that small town feel where everyone knew each other, and all were willing to ask questions and share ideas. In the meetings since returning from the pandemic, we are again having excellent learning opportunities and starting to see familiar faces. We are seeing relationships build again. This is so important for our safety community. Each person brings a perspective, brings a level of knowledge, and even brings a level of desired learning. We are a group of people who can share experiences and learn from each other. But, what’s more, we are able to continue to build professional relationships and long-term friendships.
As I have said before, if you are not regularly attending these monthly meetings at the Black Bear Diner on the first Tuesday of the month, you are really missing out on an opportunity to share what you bring to the table and to learn from what others bring. These meetings give us a chance to meet people who have different perspectives and a variety of experiences. You are missing an opportunity build friendships with outstanding members of our safety community.
In all my years of being in safety, becoming an active member of this group is one of the things I cherish most. When I retire down the road, these relationships will be what I will hold onto. I think all routine attendees will convey a similar perspective. We are a community. I hope to see you there in future meetings—I can’t wait to hear your perspective at improving and sustaining safety! It just feels like it’s a place where safety people belong.
Chris Lawrence
Seeing the group made me reflect on past meetings. Prior to COVID-19, we were having excellent meetings routinely, and there were many long-time attendees whose presence assured valuable networking among the local safety community. It was that small town feel where everyone knew each other, and all were willing to ask questions and share ideas. In the meetings since returning from the pandemic, we are again having excellent learning opportunities and starting to see familiar faces. We are seeing relationships build again. This is so important for our safety community. Each person brings a perspective, brings a level of knowledge, and even brings a level of desired learning. We are a group of people who can share experiences and learn from each other. But, what’s more, we are able to continue to build professional relationships and long-term friendships.
As I have said before, if you are not regularly attending these monthly meetings at the Black Bear Diner on the first Tuesday of the month, you are really missing out on an opportunity to share what you bring to the table and to learn from what others bring. These meetings give us a chance to meet people who have different perspectives and a variety of experiences. You are missing an opportunity build friendships with outstanding members of our safety community.
In all my years of being in safety, becoming an active member of this group is one of the things I cherish most. When I retire down the road, these relationships will be what I will hold onto. I think all routine attendees will convey a similar perspective. We are a community. I hope to see you there in future meetings—I can’t wait to hear your perspective at improving and sustaining safety! It just feels like it’s a place where safety people belong.
Chris Lawrence
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