Anyone who has had the privilege of attending an Impact100 Annual Meeting will tell you that it was the best event in the Impact100 calendar. Listening to those remarkable Finalists tell their stories of transformation and redemption is so moving. Reconnecting with friends and meeting new engaged, passionate women in the community has been an unexpected benefit provided at the Annual Meeting. We have heard women describe the “glow” of the Annual Meeting that stays with them for days afterwards.

How could we possibly make this Impact100 signature event any better? Is it even possible to improve this already extraordinary event? I am grateful to be invited to visit Impact100 chapters around the country to share in their Annual Meetings. Through these visits, I have witnessed some amazing “extras” that have made a remarkable event – even better. Here are a few that stand out in my memory:

• At one Annual Meeting, they had an actual drum roll (that became a fabulous Drum Corp) to announce their inaugural grant recipient.
• At the intermission between the presentations and the meal, an Impact100 serenaded the attendees with beautiful music played by a children’s symphony. The talent was incredible, and the music was so lovely. These kids happened to be the prior year’s grant recipients.
• I was fighting back tears listening to the talent and emotion of a young woman (11, I think?) who sang a heartfelt rendition of, “Just a Fool to Believe You Can Change the World” at a recent Annual Dinner.
• Short, video vignettes from prior Award Recipients were played during the social time of the Annual Meeting. A poignant reminder of the power of a transformational grant from Impact100.

These ideas are only a few examples. The common denominator is that each of these effectively enhanced the Annual Meeting experience for members, guests and nonprofits.  A word of caution: The Annual Meeting is an important event where each detail must be considered. We would not advise making any change that could be a distraction or minimize the significance of the occasion.