On March 15, 2021, Dani and I officially became the newest co-leaders of November Project Amsterdam. We had been discussing this new role as leaders for weeks on our regular Sunday long runs and were eagerly anticipating the announcement. We texted each other back and forth throughout the week, nervous for this new role but also excited for what the future would bring.
“How does it feel to be a new co-leader of November Project Amsterdam?” This has been a question that has been asked numerous times since Dani and I first took on this new leadership role. It was a moment we had been waiting for. We both came to November Project for different reasons and at different entry points, but we continued showing up every Wednesday morning for the same one: the community.
We were excited, thrilled, and honoured to become leaders. But also, it was a bit lackluster. Corona has stolen a lot from us in 2020 and now 2021. It has robbed us of many milestones. Children’s birthday parties were celebrated without friends and family. Students were cheated from their first physical day of University. Baby showers, weddings, job promotions, house warming parties were cancelled, postponed, or significantly adapted to the new times. Celebrations of life and death have been limited, and in many places, halted altogether by the virus. Hugs have been blockaded. High fives swapped for face masks. Human connection washed away with hand sanitizer. Face to face workouts exchanged for virtual replacements.
Throughout this past year, non-verbal communication, touch, and use of physical space has become a distant memory. We have become vulnerable, lonely and fearful in our current situation. Social distancing has become our new way of life. Face masks, video chats, and physical distance has separated us both in body and mind from our community around us. It has been a hard year for everyone and we have grown increasingly fatigued by the rules and protective equipment used to shield us from the virus.
It was supposed to start with an announcement followed by a big Wednesday morning workout. Isn’t this the dream of all new co-leaders of November Project? But, this too was stolen from us. We had planned to celebrate Saskia and Roderik’s long service to the November Project Amsterdam with balloons, music, cake, and so many hugs. Their farewell also would not happen as we (and they) had planned.
But we as human beings adapt. We initially resist change only to later embrace the new reality. We connect in other ways. We go on runs in pairs or small groups. We post our grassroots gear proudly in our Whatsapp group or on social media. We meet up for walks or a coffee. We text one another. We give each other kudos. We find new channels of connection. We hang tight to our community and dream of the day we can all be reunited again at Nemo stairs.
As leaders, we too must adapt. We must learn new ways to lead in challenging times. This is what Dani and I are committed to doing. We want to reconnect with all of you, to bring back the feeling of belonging to something special.
In March, we sent out an anonymous survey to the November Project Amsterdam community, to hear your thoughts and feedback. Of the 29 responses received, 93 percent of you said the reason you keep showing up is because of the people. In order to reconnect on a safe level, we have a few upcoming events that we hope you will participate in.
On April 21 at Nemo Stairs, we will be offering special tagging if anyone needs a fresh NP & xxx tag. So, bring an orange shirt (or any color) and run by for a fresh tag!
On April 27, we will celebrate the King’s birthday with a virtual Kings Day Sunrise 6K (6:17 CET). If you take part in this event, we will have a special King’s Day tag available April 28.
On May 2 at Vondelpark (timeframe still TBA), please come join us in an appreciation flyby for Ro & Sas!!! Give air hugs, snap a distanced selfie and let’s generally show Ro and Sas how much they mean to us.
For those that are unable to join in some or all of these events, please continue to visit our Facebook and Instagram page every Monday as we showcase another member of November Project Amsterdam.
Last but not least, please feel free to contact Dani or I if you ever want to talk, run, grab a coffee, or just need a laugh.
Let’s keep the time between now and the future strong!
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