Enjoying almost fifty participants and raising $319 for Senegalese children in danger of dying of malaria, the May 13 session of BE CONNECTED to Effective Networking was an undeniable success.

Starting at 4:00, we could tell it was going to be a special night when the buzz started to build early, a buzz I attributed to the prospect of saving lives with Project Safety Nets. As volunteer Lee Tyree assisted us in welcoming our guests with free issues of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, the room gathered an undeniable momentum that turned into something truly emotional when SagePresence screenwriter-in-resident Bill True introduced of Ann Dillard, the Plymouth Rotary Club member in charge of Project Safety Nets.

Bill set a powerful tone for the evening, which only continued to build as we delivered our newly modified presentation, which stressed group practice and experience more than ever. As we covered the Thinking, Feeling, and Talking of networking, the excitement in the room grew undeniably palpable.

Finally, everyone in the room was ready to get to the networking. They now knew what to do and how to do it, so we let them loose, and the atmosphere just bubbled over into a joyous cacophony of professionals discovering how they could help each other.

Everyone ate, drank and networked until we called everyone back together again to learn how the experience of applying new networking skills went for people.

The feedback we got was tremendous. People had discovered newfound freedom in an activity that they had always experienced to be challenging and frustrating. Stories were told about possibilities and opportunities being born in the room.

Lee Tyree did two drawings for Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal give-aways, and Ann spoke to the room about the difference everyone was making for Senegalese children that night, as they ate and drank and networked.

This was truly a special night for SagePresence. We’ve had fantastic BE CONNECTED events in the past, but this was the first that was dedicated to something larger than us, larger than the professionals we’re dedicated to helping. This was about giving to the world outside ourselves, saving lives as we grow professionally.

Thanks to one and all who participated!

We would like to invite you to what we believe just might be the most important BE CONNECTED To Effective Networking yet.

We are partnering with the Rotary Club of Plymouth to support Project Safety Nets, whose mission is to provide medical, educational, and financial support members of underserved communities in Senegal.  This support includes, but is not limited to mosquito bed nets to protect against malaria, school and health supplies, educational opportunities to empower women entrepreneurs, and a student pen pal program.

A child under age five dies every 30 seconds of malaria in Africa — over 1,000,000 each year. A simple mosquito bed net is critical to keep them safe from this deadly disease, so they can grow to live a full life!

How does attending BE CONNECTED on May 13 help? Here’s how: For every paid registrant to our May 13 event, SagePresence will donate money to purchase a mosquito net for a child. If 50 people show up, we pay for 50 nets. If 100 people show up, we pay for 100!

Even better!  The money we raise will be matched 100% by Rotary District 5950, and quite likely 150% by Rotary International. In other words, for each registration at BE CONNECTED, as much as $17.50 will be directed towards savings kids lives in Senegal.

So, we’re very excited to invite you to join us:

BE CONNECTED To Effective Networking
Wednesday, May 13
4 to 7 pm
1000 Westgate Drive
St Paul, MN  55114
(in the midway area, very close to University Ave & Highway 280)

Please don’t hesitate. Visit www.sagepresence.com to register for BE CONNECTED To Effective Networking today. Find out why people are calling it “transformational” and the best networking event they’ve attended.

And spread the word!  The more the merrier… and the more children we can save together