Connect & Share: The E-CAFÉ for Member Networks

Since October 2020, PEXE has been organizing e-cafés for its networks with the main goal of sharing useful information.

During the first e-café, participants had the opportunity to share their expectations regarding the format and content of these sessions. It was decided that this monthly meeting would be held via videoconference (on Zoom) every second Friday of the month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., with no obligation to attend or pre-register.

To date, the e-cafés have gathered up to 15 participants, but the goal is to bring in new networks. Specific topics will be chosen based on participants’ needs. For example, the February 2021 e-café will focus on sharing best practices and communication indicators.

Challenges and Opportunities of the e-cafés

These informal moments of exchange represent a real opportunity for PEXE and its networks as they allow for:

• Sharing useful information (event organization, key contacts, staff changes, news, network development stages, updates, studies, etc.);
• Coordinating calendars;
• Gathering feedback and suggestions for improving events and initiatives;
• Proposing and developing new ideas;
• Understanding each network’s intentions (event involvement, interest in participating in juries, steering committees, etc.);
• Sharing experiences (successes and failures) and best practices (communication, HR, etc.);
• Facilitating connections (sharing contacts);

WHAT’S ON THE E-CAFÉ AGENDA

• Roundtable introductions from participants
• Announcements of upcoming events
• Planning and involvement of networks in PEXE’s event organization
• News updates
• Open discussions