Best Of

Besides the Smartsheet Community, I have been fond of the digital communities I have been proud to have joined and be an active member of. One of those is ATX Cat Punks United - an Austin-based Facebook community I found when I first moved to Austin back in 2001. As a momma cat who just recently lost her 20-year-old companion cat I found extreme comfort in this community. The admins of the group will put together a nice post for any cat community member when they cross the rainbow bridge. There was just something comforting about receiving heartfelt messages at a time when I was so sad and lonely when I had to say goodbye to my cat. Even the funny cat videos and shares that I see come across my timeline of other cats in the community, country, and beyond is appreciated.

The group will even get together at least 2x a year to have a nice potluck and get to meet/see each other IRL (in real life)! I really have enjoyed being in the group for as long as I have. It really has been a precious and safe space for me.

Pictures below:
Top picture = logo
Middle picture = the tribute they made when my cat crossed the rainbow bridge
Last picture = hilarious and true story of a cat who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with her owner

What is the best example of a community you have seen?

I would have to say that it is both the Smartsheet Community and the Smartsheet Overachievers (both active and alumni). Both are filled with like-minded folks who are forward thinkers and always at the ready to help. I am proud to be a member of both of these communities. So many problem-solvers and innovative thinkers coming together is why I feel that both of these are the best examples of a community that I have seen and have the pleasure of being a part of!

I'm going to shout out a community that I just joined:

My local humane society started a new program called "Rescue Dog Recess," in which volunteers can take dogs out of the shelter for a day to let them decompress, relax, and just have a fun day out! Plus, it exposes the dog to potential adopters when they're out and about! This past weekend was my first time volunteering for this program, and I was lucky to take the same dog out both Friday and Sunday. On Sunday, we met a family that seemed very interested in her and mentioned checking her out at the shelter this week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll find her forever family soon!

As so many others have answered, the Smartsheet community is the obvious choice. There are so many community members who are looking to help and support their fellow Smartsheet users. I've learned a great deal from both questions and answers.

The only other community I'm part of that has the same level of positive collaboration and supportive learning environment is the community pottery I'm a member of. Here's a recent candle pot I made, inspired by the calm of being at the beach with the surf rolling gently across the sand,