NETMCDO+ CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

 

Archive: 2024 Meetings & Activities

Archive: 2024 Meetings & Activities

In 2024, NETMCDO+ experimented with a new schedule and format to meet the needs of our members: bi-monthly gatherings lasting one hour each. The format sought to maximize the sharing of ideas and solutions, getting at what matters most in helping musicians forge successful careers, and helping career development professionals find solutions to their problems (and colleagial support).

Held in April/June/August/October/December, these mini-conferences included such topics and discussions as:

  • “Activating Your Agency”
  • “Artificial Intelligence”
  • “Neutralizing Negativity (our own and others')”
  • “Thinking Meta with a Collaboration Compass”
  • Use of "Open Space Technology" to create participant-driven sessions
 
Why six gatherings a year instead of 1 or 2?
  • More day/time options will allow more people to participate; more answers to problems will be found; more success stories will be shared.
  • We want to spend more time with everyone, but only one hour at a time (don’t be offended).
  • We want to break free of the model of a yearly, in-person “big box” conference that really doesn’t meet our needs.

A NEW FEATURE

A searchable General Interest Spreadsheet / Networking Resource was initiated this summer. As shared during the gathering, it is now available here.

  • This "living document" streamlines the sharing of contact information and the professional interests of NETMCDO+ colleagues.  You can quickly identify and connect with others interested in topics, making it an effective collaboration tool. 
     
  • Please consider adding your info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some attendees at our December Gathering.

DECEMBER GATHERING SUMMARY

>Our December Gathering focused on Thinking Meta with a Collaboration Compass, a facilitated workshop on personal career goals and collaborative opportunities. Related: consider maximizing your use of our General Interest Spreadsheet / Networking Resource, available to the entire Network. This "living document" streamlines the sharing of contact information and the professional interests of NETMCDO+ colleagues. Please explore and consider adding your info.

>Mini-sessions addressing the career needs of career development practitioners; to focus on our own careers as we strive to help others with theirs

>Thinking Meta with a Collaboration Compass, is to facilitate self-reflection and strategic thinking about personal career goals while exploring collaborative opportunities, including within NETMCDO+ to expand impact in our spheres

>An opportunity to develop a compass that will guide you toward what you want most in your career (but only if you actively participate; AI will not do this for you)

>Explore maximizing your use of our General Interest Spreadsheet / Networking Resource, available to the entire network. 

OCTOBER GATHERING SUMMARY

>Neutralizing Negativity (our own and others')

>Using Collaborations to Further Our Goals (Because Going Solo is a Lonely and Dead-End Route) 

>>OPEN SPACE mini-seminars crafted by attendees, driven by direct, confidential, and open conversation, allowing everyone to address their most pressing needs and leave with new insights, contacts, and tools

AUGUST GATHERING SUMMARY

At our August Gathering attendees, many pictured above, discussed the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on our field, including exploring recent findings from a survey of NETMCDO+ participants. Click here for follow-up and resources, including summaries of Open Space sessions. 

Related to our recent Gathering, you'll soon receive an invite to participate in National Science Foundation research, in partnership with the Eastman School of Music, designed to build a new ecosystem of AI-powered music production. This research will help create an open-access framework enabling musicians and AI researchers to collaborate in developing solutions. It will also assist our field in navigating the advantages and challenges of using AI for music production, plus provide new learning opportunities to empower students and professionals.

 

JUNE GATHERING SUMMARY

Attendees, many pictured above, experienced a visualization exercise and discussed best practices for helping musicians activate their agency.

Summarized below are June's Open Space sessions.

post notes

APRIL 25 RECAP

Attendees, many pictured above, were reminded about the transition to Zoom Gatherings and informed that a plus sign (+) has been added to NETMCDO's name, symbolizing the Network's continued goal of inclusiveness and emphasizing the diversity of our field's activities and community.

After opening icebreakers, critical topics identified by those in our Network were discussed via Open Space Breakout Sessions, summarized below.