Community Starts with an Invitation
James Bryant, MCMS Executive Director
One of my favorite stories about building community comes from a pathologist in California who enjoyed birdwatching. Looking for a way to connect with others who shared his interest, he posted a notice on his state pathology society's calendar inviting anyone interested to join him for a monthly birdwatching outing.
The first gathering was small. A few people showed up. The next month, a few more attended. Over time, the group grew into a regular gathering of physicians, spouses, family members, and friends who met each month to enjoy a shared interest. What started as a simple calendar posting evolved into a genuine community.
The story has stayed with me because it illustrates an important lesson: community rarely begins with a strategic plan, a committee, or a major initiative. More often, it begins when one person extends an invitation.
Physicians spend much of their professional lives caring for others, advocating for patients, managing practices, and keeping up with an increasingly complex healthcare environment. Yet behind every physician is a person with interests, passions, hobbies, and experiences that extend well beyond medicine. Some enjoy running, cycling, hiking, or golf. Others are avid readers, musicians, gardeners, photographers, volunteers, or travelers.
Those shared interests can create connections that are every bit as valuable as those formed through professional meetings and educational programs. In fact, some of the strongest communities are built not around work, but around the simple enjoyment of spending time with people who share a common interest.
As Montgomery County Medical Society continues its focus on strengthening community among physicians, I am pleased to announce a new opportunity for members. MCMS is opening its online calendar to member-led social, recreational, volunteer, and community activities. If you are organizing a walk, a book club, a pickleball game, a volunteer project, a cycling group, a dinner gathering, or another activity that may be of interest to fellow members, MCMS would be happy to help promote it through our calendar and communications channels.
This initiative is not intended to replace our existing programs and events. Rather, it is intended to create more opportunities for physicians to connect with one another in meaningful ways. The most successful communities are not built solely from the top down. They grow when members share their interests, invite others to participate, and create opportunities for connection.
The California birdwatching group did not start with a goal of building community. It started because one physician decided to post an invitation onto a society calendar. The community followed.
Perhaps there is a similar opportunity waiting here in Montgomery County. If you have an activity you would like to share with fellow members, I encourage you to reach out. MCMS would be delighted to help spread the word.
After all, every community begins with a single invitation.