She’s Connecting Alexandria’s Remote Workers

For those who work from home, making meaningful connections in both the community and workplace might be challenging. Virtual connections just don’t work for everyone.

In Alexandria, Danielle Thompson wanted to connect with her community. But as a remote worker for a national company, she missed the interactions of a local office.

Think of hallway conversations, spontaneous happy hours, and breakroom gatherings for birthdays.

She wondered how local work-at-home folks connect. “I thought there must be more people who work from home like me who want to find ways to socialize. I wanted a way to meet people, to socially interact,” she said. “I think that connection is something everybody seeks out.”

Finally, she found someone to take on such a project: herself!

Introducing the Central Lakes Remote Workers Society

Founded in 2023, the Society promotes and sponsors events in and around Alexandria.

As a work-from-home product manager for a national cooperative, Danielle reflects back on the beginning. She recalls one “ah-ha!” moment for her—realizing one time she hadn’t been out of the house for over a week.

Okay, maybe winter had a little something to do with that, but you get the point.

“I think a community is more welcoming when we have opportunities for smaller groups to meet and get to know each other,” she said. “Sometimes you feel isolated as a newcomer or someone who came back to live here.”

Building the Community

Danielle is originally from Alexandria and moved back a few years ago. Most of the Central Lakes Remote Worker Society members are new to the area, so they lack some of the “past connections” of a hometown.

That’s another reason to celebrate this effort!

The Society has a logo and a Facebook page where they post group events. As word spreads, individuals from nearby towns are joining. Plus, there is potential to help “chapters” blossom in other regional communities.

The Society plans group events such as a museum tour or hitting a walking trail. The most popular activity, though, is trivia, Danielle said. “People can work together to play trivia. You get to know what topics are of interest to others that way,” Danielle explained.

Last January, the Alexandria Echo Press newspaper featured a story about Danielle’s efforts. That helped boost membership and created more awareness, she said.

What’s the future hold? Danielle thinks there are a handful of participants who could help plan and brainstorm as a “board” for the society. “I’d like to see us volunteer as a group and do something in the community, take on a project,” she said.

As of April 2025, the group had 42 Facebook members. And they are always looking for more.

Editor’s Note: Check out the Central Lakes Remote Workers Society Facebook page to view events or connect.