When COVID-19 protocols began limiting in-person gatherings and social interactions, TCU Religious & Spiritual Life’s longtime reliance on “walking meetings” ensured staff members stayed in step with campus community needs throughout the pandemic. These on-the-go meetings are also a great way to keep your agenda moving forward while building momentum for the TCU Step It Up Challenge now underway.
Below, Lea McCracken, associate chaplain and interim church relations officer, answers questions about the many benefits of RSL’s “walk and talks.”
How long has Religious & Spiritual Life been doing walking meetings?
RSL: “Walk and talks” are part of our weekly pastoral presence with students as well as with faculty and staff. We have been doing them for years, so our students expect the invitation to walk and talk and also know they can ask for one anytime. When COVID hit, we were quite glad these walking meetings were already part of how we are present on campus. They are a natural and normal way for us to connect in a difficult time.
What are some of the benefits you have noticed by taking meetings outdoors?
RSL: The given benefits are breathing in fresh air, exercise and just getting out of dorm rooms and offices for a different scenario, which can boost mood. The added benefit, though, is a walk feels less like a meeting or counseling session; it feels like two people getting together and catching up. We notice that both students and staff tend to open up more because they are more at ease during a walk. Oftentimes meeting in offices can feel intimidating or make someone feel self-conscious about the need to meet, and an office can make it feel too formal. From our perspective, we get to know people in our TCU community better and can help them with clarity on whatever they are struggling with in a more timely manner because of the relational and relaxed experience that comes with a walk and talk.
Have walking meetings improved your connections with co-workers in ways that a traditional meeting structure did not allow for?
RSL: Absolutely. We often take walk and talks together as RSL staff. Sometimes if we see one of our co-workers having a particularly stressful day, or staring at their computer for far too long, one of us will usually pick up on that. When one of us pops into another’s office and says, “walk and talk?” — we usually get up and get out for a moment together. We have seen it help others, so we know it will be beneficial to us as caregivers as well. Some of our most innovative ideas as a department have come from our walk and talks. Again, fresh air, movement, enjoying the beauty of our campus, a good conversation — it can lead to great things!
How frequently do you conduct walking meetings?
RSL: During the pandemic, a lot of our pastoral care appointments have taken place as walk and talks. So, it depends week to week. Typically, each of us has at least one walk and talk of some form each day, whether it be with a student, a faculty or staff member, or each other.
Are there any tips you would suggest to other departments wanting to start walking meetings?
RSL: Do it! Try it! It works. We have a standard route, which is around the entire center campus block — University, Berry, Stadium and Cantey. We start with one loop. Once we are back to Jarvis, we make the decision together if we are done for that particular walk and talk, or if there is still more to talk about. If so, we make another loop!