As summer begins and the need for a break grows, LCN invites you to join our Meet and Reflect session to explore the pressing question: How can we avoid burnout and take a break while bearing the weight of urgent community work that cannot be put on hold?

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Céline Lebrun Shaath, and I recently joined LCN as the Membership Engagement and Community of Practice Coordinator temporarily replacing Sachiko during her leave. Today, I want to share something that has been on my mind.As summer began, I took a much-needed break away from home. It was the first time in four years of intense campaigning, training, and teaching, that I had the opportunity to disconnect and recharge. However, my plans were challenged when news broke of the killing of Nahel, a young French Algerian teenager, by a police officer in my hometown of Nanterre, France. This incident sparked a major uproar, and I felt compelled to stand in solidarity with the people of my city. I immediately reached out to extend support to people mobilized on ground, but then ended up scrolling endlessly through social media, consuming news clips, articles, and heinous, racist comments that sought to justify the killing.

After three days of emotional exhaustion and growing anger towards the division and lack of empathy within my country, I realized that this behavior was neither benefiting my community nor myself, and made the decision to step away from my phone. I accepted that being away, the best thing I could do, for both myself and my people at that moment, was to focus on what I had initially set out to do: rest.

Have you experienced a similar challenge? I bet we all have. As summer unfolds, disconnecting might be difficult for some, especially when facing pressing responsibilities and working in communities facing urgent challenges. While LCN’s Community of Practice activities are slowing down for the summer, I invite all of us to join LCN’s Meet and Reflect. It’s an opportunity to come together and share our strategies for the upcoming months, supporting one another to regenerate ourselves as we navigate the uncertainties and demands of our leadership roles.

This session is open to everyone, so feel free to invite your friends, family, and colleagues. Whether you’re a seasoned organizer or just starting out, we’d love to learn with you!

• What: Summer Meet & Reflect: Regenerating in the Midst of Urgency? 
• When: Thursday, August 3rd at 9am ET / 3 pm CET / 8pm ICT / 11pm AEST!
• How: Use the registration form below (registration deadline: August 2nd 11:59pm CET)

We look forward to seeing you there!

And in the meantime, I’m sharing with you this article on the seasons and cycles of leadership.

Join our meetup and share with us what season you are in! (A French version translated by Organisez-vous is also available here.)