Tidbits from TwentySomethings: IMPACT Conference

I just returned late last night from a trip to Amherst, Massachusetts for the IMPACT Conference. The IMPACT conference is mainly for college students seeking to make a difference in the world, but also attending are non-profit administrators, college advisors, and AmeriCorps members. It's a place for training and conversations about how make a change in the world where we live. It was a busy four days for me, starting with a 9 a.m. departure and ending with a 11:30 p.m. arrival and cram packed with workshops, speakers, excursions, and travelling in between. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Travelling to a new place. It was exciting to see Massachusets, even if only briefly and not completely.
2. The thrill of community. I was proud to wear my AmeriCorps shirt one day because I knew there were many other AmeriCorps members there as well. Sometimes I feel alone in my position, balancing between not being a student but not being a regular staff member. Even though I didn't really talk to any other VISTAs, it was nice to feel the sense of community.
3. Visiting with my little brother. Despite an accident he was stuck behind delaying his visit, we were able to have dinner and dessert together. It was strange being in the passenger seat while he drove. We have an odd relationship, but when we are travelling together we do fairly well.
4. The conversations. More about my lingering thoughts later, but a highlight was all of the good conversations had in workshops and with Berea folks.
5. Speaking of Berea folks, it was cool to meet several Berea alumni who are now working for non-profits.
6. Seeing Emily Dickenson's house and learning that Robert Frost also once lived in Amherst as well.
7. Experiencing another college campus.
8. Surprising myself with how quickly I felt comfortable navigating not only the campus but also the town.

My lingering thought after the conference concerns the words that I use to describe various people groups or ideas. This stems from a workshop on words, a conversation about microaggressions, and some personal reflection. I am pondering the implications of phrases such as "our community" versus "the community", "underprivileged kids", "the homeless", "protest, riot, and uprising", "serve" versus "help", and "people of color". I am careful not to assign judgement to any of these phrases very quickly because of the fear it could create within me. I do not want to ponder my words so much that I begin judging others for what they say or I create a fear within myself about speaking incorrectly. Instead, this reflection leaves me mindful of how I say what I am thinking. It makes me ponder if the words that come from my mouth and fingers accurately represent what I am thinking. It also makes me ponder if I am "codeswitching" or using different language in different circumstances. I guess my only thought right now is that we should all feel free to express our opinions, but we should be careful about the way and the context in which we express them.

Now for some pictures!