The 9th Agile Conference that we organized was a testament to the core principles of agility, which, in essence, revolve around the ability to move swiftly and adapt to change. My colleague, Sheikh Waqas, and I were fully committed to embodying these agile principles in the planning and execution of the conference.
Just two days before the conference was scheduled to take place, a significant upheaval occurred in the form of a venue change. This unexpected twist in the proceedings was a result of a communication breakdown between our ACP23 team and the venue management. This sudden turn of events had a cascading effect on several aspects of the conference, including our branding, catering arrangements, overall planning, the logistical setup for participants, and many other critical elements.
In the face of this challenging situation, Sheikh Waqas deserves special recognition for his unwavering commitment. He took it upon himself to lead the charge in rectifying and upgrading our branding, catering, and all related plans in light of the venue change. The enormity of the task at hand meant that we had to work tirelessly to make everything fall into place. I vividly recall that in the last three nights leading up to the conference, both Sheikh Waqas and I barely managed to get three hours of sleep each night. And on the final night, Sheikh Waqas stayed up the entire night, dedicated to ensuring that the conference would be a success.
To put this feat into perspective, I reflect on our past experiences. In 2015, we managed to organize a conference within a mere eight weeks, a remarkable achievement in itself. However, for ACP23, our preparations began on October 22, 2022, immediately after the conclusion of ACP22. The progress and improvements made over the years since 2014 and 2015 have been nothing short of extraordinary, with every variable and aspect of our organization having improved by an astounding factor of ten.
For me, a crucial driving force behind my dedication to volunteer work lies in several factors:
- Working towards a cause I passionately believe in.
- Assisting others and making a positive impact.
- Achieving personal and career-related goals, as volunteering can be a valuable learning experience.
- Contributing to my community and making it a better place.
- Fulfilling religious obligations and values.
- Sharing my skills and experiences with those in need.
- Expanding my network and forging valuable connections.
- Experiencing a profound sense of well-being and belonging within the community.
Engaging in volunteer work has not only allowed me to give back and make a difference but has also been a transformative journey of self-discovery. It has taught me the art of self-organization and continuous self-improvement, enabling me to adapt and thrive in the face of unexpected challenges and changes, much like the agile principles we championed in the organization of the 9th Agile Conference.