In my position, I am fortunate to be able to meet and hear from people all over the country who are working to make our communities stronger and helping individuals reach their potential. The media and political campaign rhetoric often emphasize the negative, but we know that there are many successes. Certainly, the challenges are significant, but we know that providing accessible and equitable opportunities for all is an attainable goal. As part of the process to fulfill our missions, we sometimes have the privilege to sit in a room full of enlightened, experienced, serious-minded people who generate the energy for us to tackle even the largest issues facing us. Last week was one of those times.