@SoJust ProfDev: Art of the Schmooze

Do you often get stuck in conversations? Not know how to approach people at networking events? Join Socializing for Justice for a fast-paced, fun & interactive ProfDev on the Art of the Schmooze on Thursday, September 4th 6:00 - 8:30 PM.

Fee: $10 in advance/$20 at the door is split with the trainer.
Limited space - Register at http://www.sojust.org - Newcomers always welcomed!
Credit cards accepted online. Cash only at the door (if space available).

SoJust's Co-Founder, Robbie Samuels, who is well known for his schmoozing skills, is this month's trainer.

Art of the Schmooze
Forming and cultivating relationships is at the heart of any successful fundraising campaign, volunteer drive, committee effort or community building activity. This training will give you the confidence to pursue your personal goals - from the importance of shaking hands and making eye contact, to tips on the best opening line and how to exit a conversation gracefully. An amazing side benefit is that you'll learn how to create a welcoming community space by keeping an eye out for outliers, considering yourself a host instead of a guest and knowing how to compliment someone without "othering" them.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER
Robbie Samuels has extensive community organizing, events logistics and fundraising experience. In 2006 he co-founded Socializing for Justice to build a cross-cultural, cross-issue progressive community, network and movement in Boston based on the philosophy of abundance. He is the Senior Manager of Events and Donor Engagement at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). On the side he offers trainings and consultation to non-profit boards, venture capitalists and grassroots organizers. In 2011, Boston City Council named his birthday, September 16, "Robbie Samuels Day". Learn more about his most requested trainings: "Art of the Schmooze" and "Fundraising: Getting Past the Fear of Asking" at http://www.robbiesamuels.com.

Check out his testimonials (http://www.robbiesamuels.com/p/testimonials.html) - including this one: "Robbie's Art of the Schmooze training totally blew me away. First of all, it must be said-- Robbie is VERY FUNNY. In fact, the workshop felt almost more like a comedy show than a skill-building workshop. It was awesome. Apart from being highly engaging, Robbie was also insightful, informative and wonderfully practical. As someone who often has trouble getting out of dead conversations, I felt like I came out of the workshop with concrete strategies for how to wrap up and end a conversation BEFORE it dies. On the flip side, Robbie also has a number of great stock comments/questions to help keep conversations from prematurely dying. Now, I consider myself an extrovert but it is still extremely helpful to get such a clear explanation of what kinds of questions help deepen connections, and which kinds of questions one should avoid. From handshakes, to body stances, to where to keep your business cards, Robbie knows the ins and outs of how to make connections and keep them. I got so much out of this workshop. I only wish I could sit through it again (and again and again...)." ~Beck Epstein

SCHEDULE
6:00-6:30 Socializing - bring your own dinner
6:30-8:30 Training and Q & A

DIRECTIONS (http://bit.ly/ieXreK) - The NonProfit Center is located one block from South Station at 89 South Street. The Center is accessible through the main lobby to people who have restricted physical abilities.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
Invite your friends to this facebook event: http://ow.ly/zs7fj
Join the SoJust Facebook group: http://on.fb.me/SoJust
On Twitter? Follow @SoJust (http://www.twitter.com/sojust) and SoJust's Co-Founder @RobbieSamuels (http://www.twitter.com/robbiesamuels). Don’t forget to tweet about this event using #sojust and #profdev!
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Socializing for Justice - http://www.sojust.org
Since 2006, we've been building this great sandbox where we can bring progressives of all stripes together and try out new ideas in this "Movement Moment". Spaces like this are crucial as we start to reframe and build new visions for our movement(s).

SoJust hosts events that draw progressives of all stripes that share common values but may work on different issues. We host monthly socials that allow for the possibility of cross-issue connections and run a monthly Skillshare Series, hosted by The NonProfit Center, which increases our individual capacity for movement building.

With almost 2500 members and 8 years of creating a diverse cross-issue community in Boston (180+ events!), Socializing for Justice is the best place to find the great people, organizations and community you're looking for while putting the SOCIAL back in social justice.

YES, WE MEAN YOU. We've got members of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, levels of activism and professions. We hope you see someone like yourself and meet someone you otherwise wouldn't have.

Want to know more about SoJust? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and past event photos on http://www.sojust.org!