Hello Everyone, fellow explorers!
I have an image that Iâve carried in my heart for a long time: Connect as a "Global Village" - the true home for Local Guides. On July 15th, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of this special home, a milestone that comes just one year after the 10th anniversary of the Local Guides program itself.
Over these ten years, weâve grown from our first steps on Google+ into a structured community where each of us has helped draw more than just mapsâweâve built bonds. Like the cartographers of the past, we set out into the unknown to share discoveries, traditions, and cultures, turning simple points on a map into lived stories.
Our Mission: Giving a Voice to the World
As the official Google Transparency Center states, Connect is a platform to interact, share, and plan activities together. But we know itâs so much more:
âLocal Guides Connect is a platform that enables people from diverse backgrounds to start conversations, share experiences, provide feedback, and plan online/offline activities⊠It is a place to interact with Local Guides from around the world and share feedback with Google.â
As I once wrote, âImages without the help of writing will not be enough to make us fully understand what we are looking at.â Connect has given us the power to âtellâ the world, going beyond a simple hashtag to convey the emotions and details that make our Community unique.
Call to Action: Letâs Celebrate Our History!
Throughout the month of July, we invite you to honor this decade of discovery:
Share Your Story (Posts): Tell us about your evolution in this Village. When did you arrive? Who reached out to help when you were âlostâ in the forums? Share a memory, a lesson learned, or that one discovery that made you proud to be a Local Guide.
Village Meet-ups (July 11-19): Organize a virtual or in-person gathering. Letâs talk about how to contribute better, how to write inspiring posts, or simply toast together. Use the hashtag #LGConnectTurns10.
The Grand Celebration (July 15): Join the Worldwide Meet-up hosted by @KarenVchin and myself. It will be a moment to hear your voices live and welcome some surprise guests.
A Special Invitation: If you are hosting your own meet-up on July 15th, let us know in advance! We would love to connect with you live during the global event for a worldwide shout-out.
Ready to leave your mark?
As soon as your post or meet-up is ready, comment below. We will create a master list of all #LGConnectTurns10 activities to celebrate every single citizen of this wonderful Global Village.
Thank you for making these first 10 years an unforgettable adventure.
Ermes and Karen
Count me in.
