Transitions, pt. 3

This, of course, is an idealistic view which I have taken. Thank the world that I'm still a bit of an idealist. Daniel Bell, in his 1960 book The End of Ideology, declared my idealism dead. But he was wrong. Despite all that I have learned in my 27 years, the good, the bad and the ugly, I still believe in the inherent good nature of the world and its inhabitants. It is this belief that has waxed and waned throughout my life, giving me both hope and despair. It has sometimes seemed to me as if there is no hope for good to prevail for the large part of the world. When looking at the larger governmental and institutional structures of the world, it is often hard to see any hope. But through my involvement in the volunteer community, I have renewed hope for the future of our world. I have met hard-working people of all ages who do not seek personal reward for efforts that are much more valuable than those which pay. This is work that touches the lives of people from all walks of life and asks for nothing in return. It is also this work that has changed my life forever.

As I said before, it all started with my involvement in the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp in Murfreesboro. This camp brings girls ages 10-18 from all over the state together for a week-long day camp to learn about playing rock and roll. They also learn how to form a band, screen printing, zine making (self-published magazines), recording, and much more. Most importantly, the young women learn self respect and that they rock! The week is closed with a bang during the live showcase. Each band gets a few minutes in the spotlight up on stage in front of their parents, peers and area media outlets. This gives them the experience of being in a real band. For the volunteers in the camp, an overwhelming feeling of pride and sadness at the end of camp comes from this event. It is also a recruitment tool. It worked on me. I first saw the SGRRC showcase in July of 2005. My brother and many friends volunteered for the camp and I attended the showcase at the end of the week as well as a private Indigo Girls show for the girls during the week. I was floored by what I experienced the night of the showcase and told myself that I wouldn't miss the next year's camp for anything in the world. I made that promise that night and I kept it. That was the best decision I've ever made.

Enter Rock and Roll Camp 2006. I volunteered to assist in teaching screen printing, filling in as an extra body in instrument lessons and as a band manager. All during the week, the girls exhibited a passion to learn as much as they could. This eagerness has a way of giving an extra charge to the volunteers, working over 40 hours during the week for only the experience. During the week of camp is when I first got to know Kelley. She is good friends with another friend of mine, Anna. I previously assisted Anna with her work with Students for Environmental Åction (SEA) on MTSU's campus and she probably recommended me to Kelley in some way. I am an individual who is always eager to help where needed, I only as for direction and a bit of prodding.

At the end of the week, Kelley asked me if I'd like to attend a committee meeting for a new organization that she was starting, the YCAC. She told me a bit about it and I agreed to check it out. Little did I know that it would lead to this great change in me. After one or two meetings, I was nominated by Kelley to act as Chair of the YCAC committee and was approved by the rest of the group. Needless to say, I had absolutely zero experience with this sort of operation, but she shepherded me through my transition into leading meetings and drawing up agendas. During this time, I was still in school. A political science major, I think. I didn't want to commit myself too much, so I stuck to leading the committee and letting the other members spearhead fundraisers and recruitment. I didn't realize it until later, but this was my first experience with a concrete form of self-governance. However, when I did realize this fact, it send my head spinning with ideas concerning where this could lead myself and the organization.

to be continued...