[AUG 1] PROJECT INVICTUS JOURNALIST GATHERING, FLORIDA

Last December, I hosted a gathering in Miami for fellow journalists who were feeling uncertain because of the changes in our industry. The goal of the conversations was to renew journalists' sense of mission and hope for the future. I used principles of appreciative inquiry that I had learned last September at the Images and Voices of Hope summit. The Miami gathering was a great success, and was attended by many representatives of IVoH, including Meredith Porte, Veronica McHugh and Roberta Baskin.

Since then, similar gatherings have since been held in Washington DC, San Francisco and Denver, with at least three more planned in the coming months. The Dart Society, a network of journalists who cover trauma, has generously provided funding for the gatherings, and even given them a name: Project Invictus, where Invictus is Latin for unconquered.

These gatherings are about bringing together a group of like-minded professionals for a renewing conversation about why we do what we do. We're not simply searching for solutions. Rather, the goal is to renew our sense of strength and mission so that we can sustain ourselves in this time of transition and be open to the new opportunities that are emerging.

I will be co-hosting the next Project Invictus gathering on August 1 in Delray Beach, Florida. Sixteen outstanding professionals from Broward and Palm Beach counties who will be participating. This is a particularly exciting gathering because it's being co-sponsored by the South Florida chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The SPJ chapter gave half the funds for the gathering, and officer Michael Koretzky (who's also on the National SPJ board) has handled the logistics and guest list for the gathering. Michael is one of the most creative journalism educators I have ever met, not to mention a fantastic designer, as you can see from the logo he designed. It's been a pleasure to work with him.

I hope to explore ways to continue to hold similar gatherings around the country. Our colleagues are hurting out there; they need this. If you would like more information about Invictus gatherings in your city, please contact me at dangrech@gmail.com. And I will see you at the 10th annual summit in September!