A fun check-in for Rabateers—and an invite!
In her Latte & Learn on “Grounds for Growth,” Anse Fatima asked us: If your personal growth journey was a coffee order, what would it be and why? And then talked about how each one of us helps other women move along the Rabata woman’s journey.
In that spirit, I ask you: If your Rabata role were a coffee, what would it be? A bold shot that gets things moving? A silky foam that makes the first sip feel easy? What role do you play in the Rabata woman’s journey?
A little story about you, me, and the next woman walking through the door.
Picture a Masjid Rabata Qiyam. Your house is finally quiet, the kettle whistles, and Masjid Rabata’s Zoom room fills with tiny squares and nasheeds. A new sister logs in, name set to “iPhone,” camera off, hovering over the mute button and the chat. She is curious. She is also wondering what is going to happen and whether anyone will notice if she stays quiet the whole time.
You notice her.
You are part of her journey, whether you meant to be or not.
Maybe you’re the one who shared the flier to your Instagram story during your lunch. That tiny square brought this sister from “I’ve heard of Rabata” to “let me try it.” That is acquisition at work, and it was you.
Or maybe you’re the admin who answered the questions that morning: what time we start, where to register, how to find the link. You smoothed one pebble off her path. That first experience becomes less guesswork and more welcome. That is activation, and it was you.
Perhaps your gift is warmth. You remember names, you check in, you are available for questions and make sure no one feels unimportant or helpless. You are the reason women return, not just because the class or halaqa or event is excellent, but because they feel seen. That is retention, and it is you, again and again, showing up with a smile and a helping hand.
There are others whose work rarely gets a spotlight. You keep registration running smoothly, or keep the syllabi or zoom links up to date, or raise funds as an ambassador to your inner circle. None of it is loud. All of it keeps the doors open and the trust strong. That is reputation, and yes, it’s you, steady as a heartbeat.
And then there are the moments we don’t know about. When the qiyam or the class or the halaqa or the event ends, and that new girl is so moved, so excited, she decides to tell a friend. It is nearly invisible and unbelievably powerful. One good experience becomes two.
Most of us are a blend. You might be a retention-with-a-splash-of-referral, or an activation-meets-reputation. Whatever your blend, your role moves another woman forward.
A playful self-check for your week:
What are you brewing this week: finding the door, easing the first sip, keeping women coming back, keeping the lights on with trust, or inviting a friend? Name it, then remove one tiny friction for the next new sister who shows up.
Anse Sarah Olesky, Rabata’s Development Coordinator