Green Drinks Networking

4 minute read

Imagine a busy bar, filled with people and their noise. The expectation is simple. To a) drink a beer, and b) introduce yourself to a stranger. The purpose? To connect environmentally-minded people in the City.

Thanks! I hate it!

GREEN DRINKS

Green Drinks is actually a brilliant idea that was started 10+ years ago by a non profit in the city. From what I hear, it used to get huge numbers. But the pandemic shut it down, and then the org running it – Local Good – shut down as well.

Five groups have resurrected the event, and have been hosting it monthly(ish) at Bent Stick Brewing since last summer.

Honestly, the premise is as simple as I listed above.

Buy your ticket in advance and it includes a drink. Show up. Find a seat. Meet a stranger who is also interested in “environmentalism” in some way.

The genius of it is that everyone defines their environmentalism in a different way, so you get a wide range of types of folks attending. Business owners, volunteers, students of sustainability, folks in green jobs, regular joes.

The downside is that it’s terrible for shy folks.

SHY PEOPLE BELONG IN THE REVOLUTION

Socially awkward, anxious, shy, introverted people belong in the revolution!

We have skills and we can help!

But not in the “typical” way. And so often that means “not at all”.

I went a lot of years not being able to fit myself into the traditional ways of activating change, so I built my own way!

NLL is still figuring things out, but at least we have that option.

No offense to the organizers, but I feel like these types of events are easy. People know what to expect at a bar, the premise is easy enough to explain (“talk to people who like green stuff!”), and once you get the word out, you’ve got a packed house each night.

But they target the type of person that is the target for most public events. Extroverted, talkative, social, neuronormative. Am I wrong?!

I struggle so hard at these events. The first Green Drinks I attended, I snagged my drink from the bar and went outside to the patio to finish it. And then I went home.

The noise and overstimulation was too difficult for me to manage in a room where I knew zero people.

Future events were easier, as I saw some friendly faces and knew what to expect. My body and mind were still on high alert though.

I have been to enough now that I understand how they work, and can sort of fit myself in. Volunteering for the admissions table was great because I got to say hello to everyone without having to make any small talk beyond “hi what’s your name?”

WHAT’S THE POINT?

The point is to connect with likeminded folks! To get your business in front of a potential investor or new customer. To meet someone who can help you with your event or campaign. To listen and learn. To feel belonging in a field that can feel pretty lonely some days.

I feel belonging with an asterisk in this room.

I know that I am similar to all these people. They care about the environment! They want to do things to protect future of life on this planet! They want to connect with likeminded folks!

But I am different in too many ways for it to be ignored (by me).

That’s not to say I can’t take advantage of the benefits. On the second event I attended, I chatted with a member of Edmonton Native Plant Society. That connection allowed me to book them to present at Ritchie Community League.

I get the point, but I still struggle finding my place in it.