My Experience on the Conference Youth Planning Committee

Being a member of the youth planning committee has been such an insightful experience. I’ve heard countless times what the experience of the conference is like, although I have yet to experience a conference. To be part of the planning makes looking forward to conference an exciting journey.

My name is Aimee Vue and I’m a high school student in Minnesota; it has been a goal of mine to attend the National Service-Learning Conference for as long as I can remember. This year, I have that opportunity as a member of the youth planning committee for the conference. The National Service-Learning Conference has been all around the nation and this year it will be at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The conference communities have been diverse and this year it is hosted by one of the most diverse communities, the Twin Cities.

I don’t have much conference experience but I’ve had experience planning large events. Our planning committee has a diverse group of people on it ranging from a retired teacher to a plethora of youth of different ages. Learning about all the different things that need to be planned may seem overwhelming for some, but I find it an intriguing journey. People talk about the plenary emcees and the ambiance of the youth room and how it all added to their conference experience. There have been many participants at the National Service-Learning Conference and we’ve heard a lot of feedback. Being a part of a planning committee gives myself and others a voice as to what we want the conference to be like. It’s a great opportunity to hear about past conferences and to brainstorm ideas for this upcoming year.

Of all the things that make the experience of being on the youth planning committee meaningful, it is the diversity.  Voices of all ages are heard and taken into consideration, for the benefit of all. The key to any planning committee is acclimating to everyone’s ideas in a cooperating and cohesive manner. It’s been an insightful experience to see the conference unfold and I’m excited as ever for April 11th to come.