By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
Last Friday, Olivia Holden, executive director of Assets Toledo, brought together about a dozen and a half Toledoans, outstanding women each and every one, for a luncheon at the Assets headquarters in order to meet new friends and build new bridges.
“Why not connect people?” asked Holden at the start of the luncheon. “I didn’t want people who are in the news every day, I wanted people whom I have gotten something from and, each of you, trust me, have given me more than you’ll ever know.”
The luncheon, catered by CHARTcuterie Creations by Neda Archie, was itself outstanding, featuring a buffet of curried cashew chicken salad, deviled eggs, along with assorted fruits and pastries.
Holden requested that each guest sit at a table with someone whom she had never met
“The goal [today] is for you to meet someone else that you have never met before and from this day forward you are going to have a buddy,” she told them. “As you talk to each other, you are going to find the same problems … such as jobs. So this is your assignment, to meet somebody and help them; that is why you are here today.”
Holden noted that the luncheon had already gotten off to a good start when one guest, Valerie Simmons-Walston, arrived with gift bags for the other attendees, without being asked to do so.
After lunch, the guest joined in a “getting to know you icebreaker,” – a quiz of 10 questions designed to find common ground among those who answered the questions: what song would you play when you walk into a room; what excites you; if you were a mascot, what would it be; if you could teleport anywhere for dinner, where would you go; which app on your phone gets the most screen time; what’s your favorite thing to do on a nothing day; what piece of advice do you still live by; what’s a smell that makes you happy; if you get $10,000 to spend today, what are you buying; what is the most unhinged but true thing you have ever said in a meeting?
Next up for the guests, after they connected with each other, is to continue those connecting activities with a group of mentees in the near future.
