Have you found YOUR tribe?
I’ve always been a joiner. I’ve belonged to numerous organizations, including Toastmasters International, the Professional Writers’ Association of Canada, The Writers’ Union of Canada, and the Manitoba Writers’ Guild. There are other organizations I may have belonged to and have left and may rejoin. I feel a bit like my interests and loyalties are in a state of transition. Finding your tribe can sometimes be an arduous journey.
I’ve made dear friends (such as the gals pictured with me above – we are all members of PWAC) and have learned from them and others in each of these organizations. But there comes a time when our needs and interests change and we must move on, as maintaining memberships in organizations in which you are not active is costly and counter-productive.
finding your tribe
A new tribe that I’ve recently become immersed in is the 2014 Readers’ Favorite Finalists. We have formed a group on Facebook, and are supporting one another’s efforts as we wait for the big day on September 1st, when we hear which of us have been chosen as winners in each of the categories. Right now, we are all one big happy family–sharing tips, tricks, enthusiasm and support. I’m not sure what will happen after September 1st, but right now, we are one big happy family that is engaged in constant dialogue.
I’m also a member of numerous groups on LinkedIn, and have made many friends and forged some great relationships via that platform. Some of these groups are vibrant, and really feel like a tribe. And of course, our personal friends and family members are a different kind of tribe we also belong to. Each of these tribes holds a piece of our heart and has made us the person we are today.
Have you ever thought about your life in terms of tribes, or is it something that we writers (and bloggers) seem to do more than others? Let’s talk about tribes, and the ones that have most influenced our lives.
I think more in terms of discourse communities given my rhetoric and comp background, but it’s much the same thing as a tribe. Any membership in a given community needs to be constantly reassessed.
Jeri recently posted…Comment on 4 Invaluable Tips for Indie Authors by Lenie
You’re so right, Jeri! But as Irene says, it’s hard to leave an assn to which you’ve been a member for a very long time. Particularly when nothing specific has driven you away. In this case, it’s simply a matter of the assn moving in a direction that is not in sync with my own ethics and patterns. Thx for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…Chocolatour is a Readers’ Favorite Finalist!
I’m not sure I would call myself a joiner, but I have been and am a member of a number of groups. At times I’ve found myself in groups where I felt out of place, but the feeling of being in a professional or social organization where I’ve really connected with people and felt I’ve belonged is great. I’ve never thought of them as tribes before, but I am happy to be or have been part of these tribes.
Donna Janke recently posted…Changing Home
Hi, Donna, and Thx for sharing your thoughts.
I think that the term “tribes” is widely used in the writing community as we’ve always used it in PWAC and we also use it in TWUC. I know the popular blogger Seth Godin has also written about his audience as a tribe. I can identify with that concept as it means we’re all working toward a common goal or lifestyle. Cheers.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel
Hi Doreen,
Yes, our tribe at Readers’ Favorite Finalists is great and a real supportive bunch. I think many of us will keep the friendships going.
Hi Diane and thanks for visiting my blog. It really is great when a groups (such as the RF finalists) band together for moral support and mutual benefit. It would indeed be great to keep that going. Cheers and best of luck as we head into the homestretch!
WizardOfWords recently posted…Have you found YOUR tribe?
Oh dear, I’m allergic to joining. I fear tribes, always concerned about being sucked into group-think. Plus I’m always worried about over extending myself. When I do join a group I am very dedicated and become a work horse. I really admire your energy and gung-ho spirit!
Hi Linda: What you’ll find when you find the right tribe is that is becomes FUN and feeds your PASSION for any given cause or interest. If those aren’t being met, move on!
WizardOfWords recently posted…Have you found YOUR tribe?
My writing buddy and I have been talking about this topic recently. There are several FB writer groups I’ve joined that have recently become in active. We all seem to have come to the same conclusion – we can’t be active in all these groups and write, too. They were really helpful in their time, though, and resulted in good contacts sharing good info.
Good luck to you on September 1. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the news, too. I agree the FB Finalist group has been fun.
Carol Bodensteiner recently posted…Peppers – vegetable or fruit?
Thanks for your comment, Carol, and welcome to the blog! I hope you’ll consider subscribing. We may have many writing related chats here, and have established an amazing community.
When I was speaking about tribes, for the most part I was speaking about groups or associations to which I belong. But I must admit that the Bloggers Helping Bloggers sub-group on LI, and the Readers’ Favorite finalist group on FB have both been online groups where I have very quickly felt at home. Best wishes on Sept 1st to you as well.
WizardOfWords recently posted…Have you found YOUR tribe?
After I left the 9-5 work world to turn to writing, I cut back on the number of my in-person local (mostly professional) groups. The local groups I’m part of now are very much my “tribes” – my writing group, a dinner group, and a bible study group. All of these people have become close friends over the year.
Carol Bodensteiner recently posted…Peppers – vegetable or fruit?
Hi Carol: It’s difficult to make those cutbacks, though, isn’t it? But as you say, new groups come along that may be more important to us, and we can’t really give those a chance (or appropriate piece of our time) if we’re committed to involvement with other groups that no longer meet our needs. If only we had more time …
WizardOfWords recently posted…Have you found YOUR tribe?
Great post, Doreen, I really do hope that we keep united even after September 1st!
Me, too, Alinka! It’s really great how you created the RF community on FB. How wonderful that we’ve actually formed a tribe of friends, mentors, and supporters so quickly. I do hope that alliance continues long after the winners have been announced. Best of luck to you!
WizardOfWords recently posted…accepting the Versatile Blogger Award
I think I belong to too many groups. I do enjoy my linkedin groups and the RF group has been great!. Good luck, Sept is fast approaching!!!
Val Silver recently posted…Teddy’s Good Life
Hi Val and thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, I think that sometimes we have to pare things down a bit, as it can be too overwhelming when we try to fit into too many groups and affiliations. And yes, I’m really enjoying the Readers’ Fav group, too! Have learned much from this very talented group of writers.
WizardOfWords recently posted…Have you found YOUR tribe?
Doreen — I, too, am a joiner. For some reason when I join an association I end up being president. That’s happened twice and I’ve been invited a couple of times to become president of the association I’m most active in now but I’ve declined. Enough is enough!
I enjoy being in a leadership position, but my life and my priorities have changed and I no longer need that kind of responsibility. I do love the friends I’ve made in our LinkedIn blogging group and have very dear friends from other organizations I’ve belonged to for which I’m very grateful.
Jeannette Paladino recently posted…Why Donât People Show More Gratitude?
I hear you, Jeannette! I, too, have been a leader in most of the groupsI’ve belonged to. I don’t enjoy sitting back on the sidelines. It’s great to be able to help form policy, and drive an org in the direction that you believe on. When the passion is no longer there, it’s time to move on.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel
Not only do I join all kinds of groups, but i tend to start them too. 🙂 It’s great networking with people that have similar interests and learning from them. It has been very helping particularly in terms of blogging. The blogging world would be a very lonely place without friends for advice and support.
I hear you, Susan! I, too, tend to like to see my creative ideas blossom thru fruition. No sense sitting on the sidelines!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel
I’m a joiner too Doreen, and like you have made many friendship from groups I have joined both online in places like Linked In as well as offline in writers groups, and readers groups. I’m currently part of the Sitting Room Book Group, which is as it says, a book group, but it is held in a house whose owner has turned the whole place (except her bedroom) into a free library open to anyone. Talk about spirit of generosity! And such a fabulous group of interesting people – mostly women. Good luck to you on September 1st – I’m sure your Fb group will remain supportive despite the competition. I think artists in general are a pretty supportive group in my experience.
A.K.Andrew recently posted…10 Ways to be Creative this Summer
Yes, I agree with you, Kathy. My writer friends have definitely been my greatest supporters. Thx for being one of them!
Your Sitting Room Group sounds fantastic!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel
Hi Doreen,
I have just recently made the decision to drop membership in an organization which gave me a great deal of both enjoyment and practical help over the past 15 years. I feel a little sad about leaving, but my needs have changed sufficiently that it is no longer makes sense for me to belong to the group.
Irene
Thx for your comment, Irene. I will likely be making the same decision that you have come to.
WizardOfWords recently posted…Have you found YOUR tribe?
Doreen,
When I first graduated from college, I set out joining all kinds of groups, trying to pick the brains of people who were working in the fields I was interested in. It can become overwhelming at times. As I grew, my interests changed and therefore, so did my involvement in certain groups. Such a great point about it being costly and unproductive being a part of a group that you are not actively participating in. I guess this post served as a reminder to me that it’s about time for me to evaluate the groups that I’ve committed to and whether or not they are valuable and relevant as it pertains to my goals and how I’m spending my time. Thanks for sharing! Wishing you all the best for Sept. 1st!! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Latrisha Talley recently posted…A girl, drunk guy & tourists board a bus…
Thanks so much for your comment, Latrisha, and for your good wishes, friendship, and continuing support.
WizardOfWords recently posted…Have you found YOUR tribe?