I attended my first WCDA event expecting to learn about collaborative delivery and better understand where I fit into the ecosystem. The room was full of smiling faces, great energy, and, as I quickly discovered, an incredible depth of experience. I was excited and eager to learn, but even as a self-proclaimed extrovert, I’ll admit it was much easier to watch and listen than to jump into the conversation.
I learned a lot at that first meeting simply by soaking in the educational content. What surprised me was how much more WCDA had to offer once I started contributing. My questions, expectations, and perspective were much easier to share in the smaller committee setting. Before long, those contributions turned into connections, and those connections became a community—a hardworking, welcoming community.
Speaking up when I felt I had something to contribute, asking questions without worrying about being judged, and volunteering where I could all led to deeper relationships. While volunteering for organizational work is, at its core, a selfless contribution, if you ever catch yourself wondering, “What’s in it for me?,” I can confidently say, “Plenty.”
So, how do you get involved beyond attending education sessions and quarterly meetings?
At what feels like the end of your first quarterly meeting, the association splits into committee breakout sessions. Your options include communications, best practices, advocacy, contracts, education, and research. Before the breakouts begin, each committee leader shares a brief overview of the topics they’ll be discussing.
I initially chose the committee that best aligned with my background and experience. What I’ve since learned is that there’s no pressure and no long-term commitment attached to attending a breakout. You’re free to explore, ask questions, and even stick your head into several committees before deciding where you want to contribute.
These breakout sessions—and the virtual meetings between quarterly events—are where goals are established, ideas are developed, volunteers step up, progress is shared, and meaningful work gets done. I feel I best benefit from in-person attendance, but the breakout sessions can oftentimes be attended virtually. Quarterly meeting attendance is not required for committee involvement.
One group you won’t see on the breakout schedule is the New Professionals (NP) Committee. We’ve defined new professionals as anyone with 10 years or less of experience in collaborative delivery. It’s truly a “for us, by us” group—a diverse community united by one common thread: We’re all relatively new here.
If you’re looking for a place to get more involved, the New Professionals Committee offers a welcoming environment to build relationships, learn the organization, step outside your comfort zone, and grow. While we don’t have a formal breakout session at the quarterly meetings, many of us actively participate in one of the other committees as well. NP gatherings are intentionally smaller and more informal—welcome receptions, happy hours, and group meals that make it easy to connect with other NPs and get meaningful time with WCDA leaders.
So, what does growth at WCDA look like?
That’s a deeply personal question, and everyone’s answer will be different. But here’s what I’ve experienced in the hope that it helps paint a picture of what’s possible:
- I found a place to ask questions. The New Professionals and Communications Committees created smaller settings where I felt comfortable asking questions I probably never would have asked in the larger group. I left with clarity—and brought valuable answers back to my company.
- Confidence followed naturally. As I became more involved and contributed to meaningful work, my confidence grew. That confidence encouraged me to engage more, volunteer more, and continue stretching myself.
- Relationships became community. The world started to feel a little smaller when I realized these weren’t just people I saw every quarter. They became colleagues, mentors, and friends. WCDA became my community.
- Leadership opportunities extended beyond WCDA. Within the committees are task forces, working groups, and countless opportunities to lead. They provide a supportive environment where you can develop leadership skills that translate directly back to your day job.
“The New Professionals Committee helps develop the next generation of WCDA leaders. Engaging emerging professionals early in their careers brings fresh perspectives to the association and helps foster meaningful connections. The committee creates opportunities to build relationships, gain confidence, and contribute new ideas that keep the association moving forward while expanding and strengthening the collaborative environment that defines WCDA.”
–Kelly Farace, former NP and current Communications Committee Chair.
If you’re attending a WCDA quarterly meeting, know that you’re surrounded by a community that genuinely wants to get to know you, support you, and see you succeed. Don’t be afraid to lean in, speak up, and get involved. Find a topic you’re passionate about, contribute your perspective, and help shape the future of collaborative delivery. The opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally, are waiting for you.