You are the average of your five best friends: NOT

David Oaks SGNN Board Chair

Wednesday, March 4

6:30 a.m.

We’ve all been told that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. It’s a classic piece of advice, right?

You are NOT the average of your five best friends. 🌊 Research shows your influence ripples out three degrees of separation—to people you've never met

But it’s not true.

According to the book Friend of a Friend your influence doesn’t stop at your “inner five.” It ripples out to people you haven’t even met yet.

Wait… I am influencing (and being influenced by) people I have never met?

According to research: If a friend of a friend of a friend—someone you don’t even know—becomes obese, you are 10% more likely to gain weight yourself.

What?

If a friend of a friend of a friend is happy, you have a 6% greater likelihood of being happy yourself (to put that in perspective, a $10,000 raise only increases happiness by about 2%).

Excuse me?

Here is the “Aha!” moment for your mission:

If health and happiness ripple through three degrees of separation, so do innovation, resources, and leadership.

Your next big grant lead, your most dedicated volunteer, or the creative solution to your biggest hurdle probably isn’t sitting in your office right now. They are likely a “friend of a friend” you haven’t met yet.

That is exactly why we are gathering on March 12 for the Connect • Learn • Lead 2026 Conference.

We’ve designed this day to be a “bridge-builder.” It’s your chance to step out of your daily bubble and surround yourself with the “right surroundings” so those positive ripples of leadership can start flowing through your organization.

We’re going to be working side-by-side on the things that matter most right now:

• AI for Nonprofits: A hands-on deep dive with Sayge Medlin and Rebecca Nesbit.

• Legislative & Financial Updates: Get the 2026 “playbook” from the experts at Coleman Talley and Carr, Riggs & Ingram.

• Social Media Best Practices: Learn what is actually moving the needle for missions in South Georgia today.

The Details:

• When: March 12, 2026 | 7:45 am – 3:00 pm

• Where: Second Harvest of South Georgia, Valdosta

• Cost: $25 (Includes a Chick-fil-A lunch and your SGNN membership!)

Click here to grab your seat and meet your most powerful acquaintances →

I can’t wait to see the partnerships that spark when we all get in the same room.

See you there!

P.S. We only have 100 seats available, and they are filling up fast. If you want to make sure your organization is part of the “happiness ripple” in South Georgia this year, grab your spot now.

Register here.