Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
And you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
– Bob Dylan, American singer-songwriter

Dear Exchange community,

There are many good things that happen when we gather. Basic, good things that we want for young children, and can appreciate and benefit from ourselves, too.

When we gather, even virtually, we have an opportunity to see each other, and to be seen. The sense of risk or safety each person may feel coming into a group, is unique to them, and varies from day to day. Awareness of this dynamic is supportive for the totality. How do we speak and listen to one another? Who is speaking, who isn’t? What is tone of the space? We can move toward conversations where the collective space, voice, and energy support the belonging and safety of all who are gathered.

In community, we have a unique opportunity to learn about one another, and to learn about ourselves at the same time. Working independently, with our own mind and perspective, can reinforce our own thinking. We can take it all so seriously, and feel intensity and pressure in the process.

Gathering together reminds us that we are not alone. It gives us a chance to open the windows, let the sound in, let fresh air in, and be in the mix with one another. It is an opportunity to practice presence, openness, and curiosity.

As the Exchange Community gathers, we want to create spaces where all voices and perspectives can be freely shared, and a sense of belonging and safety expands and supports all people present. This is our hope — to build authentic community with people throughout early care and education, reaching across geography, generations, and painful and divisive history and inequity, and discord and extremism in the present time. In community we seek to build bridges by being present to one another and doing what we can to build trust and create space for the beautiful, unfolding, stardust infinity of who we all are – identities, experiences, and backgrounds – as we move into our shared future.

We invite you to check out the conversations and material (PDF) from the Engaging Exchange Fall Conference (held virtually on August 9th) on joy and equity in early care and education.