Mr. Inexperience Goes To Washington

NOTE: This is a guest post from Sam Richard, author of the blog Deserted After Dark, which chronicles his life as a college student living in Downtown Phoenix, where he is the President of the American Humanics Student Association at Arizona State University. After he finally finishes his degree somewhere near the end of this decade, Sam hopes to work for either a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental issues, or a support organization like the National Council of Nonprofit Associations (hint, hint). You can read a full report of his week at the Nonprofit Congress by following this link.

Just about a month ago, I was a part of history.

Sure, it sounds cheesy. But it’s true. And that’s all that matters, right? A few hundred of my closest friends and I were able to help shape the future of the nonprofit sector at the 2008 Nonprofit Congress. Plenary speakers, breakout sessions, and informal conversations alike peppered our week with other’s experiences, grievances, and joys pertaining to the sector.

I came away from the week filled with expectant hope. I mentioned to a few people that it had a similar feeling to the days immediately following junior high summer camp. You know, when emotions are flaring and the idea wheels are turning at full speed. And let me tell you, neither one of those things have yet to go away.

I trust that my experience wasn’t totally unique, but I feel that I might have a little different twist on it. I did not attend the Nonprofit Congress as a representative of a State Association like my friend and colleague, Patrick McWhorter from the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. I did not attend as a representative from an individual organization like my friend David Jay, from Volunteer Match. And I wasn’t there in the capacity of an intrigued observer, like my friend Susan who works for a journalistic outfit in the for-profit sector. 

Nope, none of those categories fit me. I am a student at Arizona State University, studying with the first (and currently only) undergraduate degree program in nonprofit leadership & management. And it was as a wholly inexperienced tenderfoot that I savored my week in DC. I took feverish notes, hoping I could take them back to my colleagues and share the wealth of knowledge that I gathered. After all, it was Woody Guthrie who said, “Stealing from one person is called plagiarism, but stealing from many is called research,” and I definitely did my share of research. I listened to experiences of men and women who have shaped this sector for the last three decades, and feebly shared what I’ve read in textbooks – some of which these people have written…

But after the first day, I moved past my combination of shell-shock and star-struck emotions, and realized that I did have something to offer this delegation: my unique perspective as a young person with very little experience. The first breakout session I attended was with Steve Bauer and Kim Fellner (Kim and I are pictured above). For an hour and a half, we dialogued about intergenerational issues, and the impending doom of the Baby Boomer wealth and knowledge transfer. Eventually, we decided that this crisis could be avoided with some responsible and focused conversations. We also decided that a large part of the burden for this transition lies on the shoulders of my generation. We “Millennials” need to step up to the plate and take some responsibility for our future. All of a sudden, my perspective became important.

Later that afternoon, I sat in on a session that announced the creation of Project Entry Point, an initiative of the Craigslist Foundation.  Project Entry Point will be an online clearinghouse of resources for every member of the nonprofit sector. Professionals, volunteers, new organizations, and old organizations alike will (hopefully) consider Entry Point as their first stop for all things nonprofit related. I grew up behind a computer, speaking the language of the computer. And once again, my perspective became important.

Throughout the week, people sought my input. At first, it surprised me, but by Wednesday I was fighting the urge to let it get to my head. Thankfully for all involved, by the time I landed back in Phoenix, my ego landed with me. But I took away so much from my time in our nation’s Capital that it would be a crime if I didn’t do anything about it. So, when school starts back up in late August, I’m going to ask everyone in the nonprofit program to sign the Nonprofit Constitution. I am also going to urge my colleagues to focus on the priorities we focused on at the Congress: things like speaking with one voice, promoting collaboration, and increasing public awareness.

And as we move forward in our studies, and in our careers, we will know that changing the world with such efficiency is only possible because of the work of those before us. So, thanks for the amazing opportunity. And thank you for letting me share in some history…

Cheers,
Sam

“We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit.”
Robert Shaffer