At this year’s Applied Net conference, I had the honor of connecting with so many of you. Feeling your energy and excitement reminded me of the value of this event and of our community here at ACN.

A standout memory for me was ACN’s volunteer day held the day before Applied Net kicked off. Members across Alliances, committees and who hold other important volunteer positions joined together for a half day of information sharing, networking and recognition. At this meeting, I also had the opportunity to share progress around our strategic planning and communicate the results and successes we’ve accomplished together over the last year.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here are a few highlights from the event survey shared by attendees:

• I loved everything! I loved the structure and how we got to do some group activities to really get to know others. Since doing the group activity, I was able to recognize more people throughout the conference, which was so nice. I had such a good time, and I can't wait to see how else I can get involved over the next year. Thanks again for the special morning; it was such a great experience.
• [Highlights for me were] meeting the other volunteers, networking and learning about the new structure and upcoming events.
• I liked moving around and talking with the other volunteers during the game, and I like that people were recognized for going above and beyond for ACN — they deserve it!

Another standout moment for me was the Applied Net keynote presentation by Admiral William McRaven. He shared with us several key messages about effective leadership, drawing from his military experience.

Here are a few of my takeaways:

1. Embrace Adversity: McRaven emphasized that overcoming challenges and setbacks is essential for growth and leadership. Leaders should face difficulties head-on and learn from them.
2. The Importance of Teamwork: He underscored that no leader can succeed alone. Building a cohesive team and fostering strong relationships are crucial for achieving common goals.
3. Lead by Example: McRaven advocated for leaders to model the behavior they wish to see in others. Integrity, accountability and hard work should be at the forefront of a leader’s actions.
4. Stay Focused on the Mission: Effective leaders keep their team focused on the mission, adapting strategies as necessary while maintaining clarity of purpose.
5. The Power of Humility: He highlighted that humility is a vital trait for leaders. Acknowledging your limitations and valuing the contributions of others fosters a positive environment.
6. Adaptability and Innovation: McRaven discusses the need for leaders to be flexible and innovative in their approaches, especially in rapidly changing situations.
7. Prepare for the Unexpected: Planning is essential, but leaders must also be ready to respond to unforeseen challenges with composure and decisiveness.

Additionally, I was happy to announce a new ACN launch — our mobile app. This fully responsive app provides all the great benefits of ACN in an easily accessible way. Download today.

Applied Net brought together members from across the country to network and learn, but ACN enables this feeling year-round. Learn about ACN’s membership benefits and join or renew soon.