In just under five weeks the MidAmerica Region transitioned an in-person Regional Assembly event to a virtual setting. Thank you to the many people who assisted in this endeavor, members of the MidAmerica staff and Board, our Keynote Presenter, Taquiena Boston, the Commission on Institutional Change, our workshop and worship presenters, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford, Illinois and our participants.

In just under five weeks the MidAmerica Region transitioned an in-person Regional Assembly event to a virtual setting. Thank you to the many people who assisted in this endeavor, members of the MidAmerica staff and Board, our Keynote Presenter, Taquiena Boston, the Commission on Institutional Change, our workshop and worship presenters, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford, Illinois and our participants.

We gathered virtually on Saturday, April 18, 2020 for an event that included worship, presentation by the Commission on Institutional Change, MidAmerica Business meeting, Keynote presentation and four workshops. The event was well attended, with just under 300 individuals registered (300 people is the maximum registration possible on our Zoom business account). Thank you to the many people who registered and attended the event! This was our highest Regional Assembly attendance in years, with more people registering after we went to a virtual event.

Our event this year had been planned as a one-day event (instead of a weekend event) to be more financially affordable. Going virtual accelerated this work. We reduced registration costs for the event from $100 to $25.

Our biggest take-away was that virtual events are very different than in-person events. When moving an event online there are new considerations for accessibility, technology, security, privacy, voting, right relations, communication and even self-care and breaks. We had some technology issues during the event. Thank you for your patience as we figure out better practices in a rapidly changing world.

Overall, the event was a success. Participants elected a new slate of Board and committee members, many people noted the relevance and power of the keynote address (and its resource list), as well as the report from the Commission on Institutional Change, and workshops were well attended.

The event was well attended, with just under 300 individuals registered (300 people is the maximum registration possible on our Zoom business account). Thank you to the many people who registered and attended the event! This was our highest Regional Assembly attendance in years, with more people registering after we went to a virtual event.

Our event this year had been planned as a one-day event (instead of a weekend event) to be more financially affordable. Going virtual accelerated this work. We reduced registration costs for the event from $100 to $25.

Our biggest take-away was that virtual events are very different than in-person events. When moving an event online there are new considerations for accessibility, technology, security, privacy, voting, right relations, communication and even self-care and breaks. We had some technology issues during the event. Thank you for your patience as we figure out better practices in a rapidly changing world.

Overall, the event was a success. Participants elected a new slate of Board and committee members, many people noted the relevance and power of the keynote address (and its resource list), as well as the report from the Commission on Institutional Change, and workshops were well attended.