Simply put, I am in a season of expanding our connections and growing the network. This posting is made in the midst of a flurry of travel. Here is a quick review of some recent meetings where connections have been made. This is just a quick update as we head to Thailand tomorrow and during...
Category: Commentary
Not a New Idea
I’m in the midst of a season of travel with Birmingham (two weeks ago), London (last week), Miami (next week), Turkey (mid-March). Expanding the visibility of IDRN through direct connections and networking conferences is a very different proposition than is general mass marketing. There will be a time for that, but please hear my thoughts on...
Daily Posts on “X”
We’re already halfway through the first full month of 2025. Wow! I’ve been posting to my personal “X” account almost every day regarding my work or thoughts regarding IDRN. I thought it would be interesting to see how AI might make sense of my various posts. Note, I’ve been writing on whatever is striking me...
Challenges of Independent Responders
There is a very real and recurring challenge that almost always comes up during any larger disaster event and the subsequent response efforts. The challenge is when “regular people” bump into the professional responders. This is not always a problem. Most of the time, there is a way to minimize friction and get everyone working...
As We Build, Disasters Continue
Here’s a commitment I recently made to an audience in Seoul: I promise that before we are able to activate the basic functionality of the new version of IDRN, there will be major events that will highlight what the International Disaster Response Network seeks to address. It’s disheartening to see that prediction come to fruition...
Istanbul Registration
To attend the December 6-10, 2024, International Disaster Response Network (IDRN) Gathering in Istanbul, Turkey, each attendee must complete and submit the following form. DETAILS PLEASE NOTE the VENUE has changed AS OF NOVEMBER 23, 2024. Please disregard previous venue information and use this information below! Our meetings will BEGIN on Friday, December 6th, with dinner and END on Tuesday,...
Korean Hosts Shine with IDRN International Leaders’ Forum
We congratulate IDRN South Korea and Together International for a great meeting! The August 27-30, 2024 gathering in Seoul, South Korea, concluded this past Friday. We will hopefully be seeing official stats and media in the coming days, but we want to acknowledge the hard work, resources, and love you poured into this event. We...
The Big Picture in Phases
If you encountered the previous POST entitled “Spin Up Time” – consider this the second verse of that song – just with some additional detail you can use in setting your own expectations. Setting Expectations Everyone has expectations – whether they realize it or not. After hearing our vision, you may not need any additional...
Spin Up Time
Disappointment often stems from unmet expectations. We’ve all experienced it: feeling let down when someone is rude or when a meal doesn’t live up to the hype. While unexpected events can bring joy, it’s hard to be truly disappointed if you had no expectations to begin with. That’s why it’s important to set realistic expectations...
More than Collaboration
IDRN’s desire to foster “new and better collaboration” involves far more than meets the eye. Growing up in west Texas, you could drive for miles without seeing another car. When you did, it was customary to wave—a simple act of politeness. A friend from the former USSR found this inconceivable, leading to some laughs. However, this...