The Alt-Crew: Business networking and Discussion: "The american way_ what does Freedom mean to you?"

The Alt crew is a bunch of kink-friendly, burner, hippy, eccentric Entrepreneurs that come together every 2nd to last monday of every month. this has been goin' on since last November.

Originally designed to get my butt out of the house and working on business on at least one monday of the month... this happy hour has now turned into a really warm and welcome easy time to make fantastic business connections. There are definetly some really wonderful regulars. Myself, included.

There have been different themes but I went ahead and dropped the theme idea last month when I said I wanted to talk sustainability. That was way fun.

I had no idea how charged the whole subject was.
Anyway, there was a fantastic group discussion that gave the normal networking feel of the night a really fun and interactive change. People participated as little or as much as they wanted and I think every one had a good time. well... some people walked away with some fire in their bellies because of the discussion.

Because of the pleasure I had in all the mixed "takes" on the night, I thought it would be fun to try it again with another topic that just "hit me" this morning.

I Want to talk about freedom. what does it mean to you? what does it mean to you in business? what does freedom mean to you on a global scale? since this could be a big topic (just liek the last one was) I figured we could narrow it down to these questions:

1. what does freedom mean to you?
2. Do you experience freedom in business? in what ways yes and in what ways no?

I figure we can start the night with some drinks, food and networking and then round about 7ish or when the trickle of people has slowed down, I will gather the willing discussion participants and we'll discuss the topic in small groups and then come together at the end in a large group and then go back to networking.

The last time was great but I could see how my facilitation needed more improvement. So let's try it again! Come and network and share your opinion!

viva la FREEEEEDOOOMM!!!!

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  Posted by Shawn Jezerinac, Seattle, Washington | Oct 06, 2007

  You weren't kidding. Thanks for taking us to interesting places where we have a chance to challenge ourselves, each other, and grow. Shawn
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  Posted by Sierra Faye Kennedy LMP, Seattle, Washington | Oct 10, 2007

  thanks man no! I never kid. I'm always serious. ALWAYS! I am never ever funny or not-serious. um yeah!
  But seriously, yes... I seem to have a bug in me that I was born with. I like to challenge people in nurturing and gentle ways (tho I could work on the "gentle" part) I just really dug the conversation that occured the last time so I'm hoping for more good times and active conversation. hopefully we shall all grow in little or big ways. :)

  BREATHE ~Deeply~ RIGHT NOW!
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  Posted by Brian Allen, West Seattle, Washington | Oct 15, 2007

  Doh! Your 2nd-to-last-Monday abuts our 4th-Monday for West Seattle this month. I really wanted to go to yours too. I guess I can catch the very beginning, but will miss the conversation later... :(

  Yes, I'll catch the first hour. @bri
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  Posted by Sierra Faye Kennedy LMP, Seattle, Washington | Oct 17, 2007

  very nice, Brian I am bummed that some of these events are on the same nights. It makes for difficult scheduling. I often find that since my schedule keeps me doing massage at the office till 8pm and wrap-up till 830 on tues, weds, and thurs that many of the events are just not easy for me to attend at all.
  every thing seems to be starting at 6pm on a tues/weds/thurs and I'm sorry - I just have a real block around going to networking that's on the weekends. oy - just never satisfied! :)

  BREATHE ~Deeply~ RIGHT NOW!
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  Posted by Diane Anderson, Seattle, Washington | Oct 22, 2007

  I'd really like to go to one of your events. Let me know if you ever have something after 7:15pm Monday, or another night or day. I always teach until 7:00pm on Mondays and Thursdays. Hope to catch up with you all soon!!! Have fun :-)
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  Posted by Brian Allen, West Seattle, Washington | Oct 22, 2007

  Argh, I'm going to miss it after all. OK, next month. Ya, we got a couple specific requests to move back the happy hour to make it easier for folks to come after work. Most others start early.
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  Posted by Sierra Faye Kennedy LMP, Seattle, Washington | Oct 24, 2007

  yeah, the late night thing is a thing. I could move it to a later and more open time frame. That might do for some later-night attendees. most of the time Its about 9 when things wrap up for us. we have had some small conversations that can last even into the night. Those are good. I always do mondays I will be out of town on the 2nd to last monday of november. So I'm thinking the last monday of the month will be the magic date for November.

  BREATHE ~Deeply~ RIGHT NOW!