This week, I was given the privilege to represent my university at a conference known to many as NACURH 2016: Unmask Your Inner Superhero. For my non res-life people in college, I will break it down really quick. This was our university's first time back at the conference since 2007 and it was an impact clearly felt in our region. Our delegation of students pulled off their masks and became a group of phenomenal superheros throughout NACURH by forming bonds and making memories with people from all over the country!
FAQ: 'Kayla, What is NACURH?'
NACURH is the National Association of Collegiate and University Residence Halls. NACURH is made up of eight sub-regions (Southern Atlantic, South Western, North Eastern, Inter-mountain, Great Lakes, Coastal Atlantic, Pacific, and the Midwest)of schools with National Residence Hall Honorary(NRHH) Chapters and Residence Hall Association(RHA) chapters that all meet regularly to discuss business and programming in Residence Halls across the country. The National Conference is basically all eight regions coming together to better the experiences of the students on our campuses while trying to better ourselves.
Now, to some people, this conference may not seem fun, and that's totally fine. Some see the conference life as a drug, and need to constantly get high on the feeling of being around so many like-minded individuals who are constantly supporting every move you make. Others see the conferences as three days of minimal sleep and a lot of socializing. I, for one, can't get enough of conferences for RHA/NRHH. The conferences teach you so much about yourself, about others, and also usually contain a component of raising awareness for a philanthropy.
This year's Philanthropy: The B+ Foundation (pronounced 'Be Positive' Foundation)
This year's national philanthropy was to support the B+ foundation and to raise awareness of Childhood Cancers. Each university was encouraged to raise money before they made it to the conference, where we would have a programming session about philanthropy right before lunch on the first full day.
This year's program was to perform a choreographed dance (superhero themed, of course) to stand in solidarity with those effected by childhood cancer so we could create a video to post on our Facebook to promote this fantastic foundation. Each delegation of students was encouraged to participate in the dance, and to stick around for some free styling afterwards for extra video footage. Overall, students who participated seemed to make new friends, laugh at each others dance moves, and helped to create the amazing video pictured above.
**FAQ: What else happens at NACURH?**
At NACURH, there are programming sessions, ceremonies each night to pass out awards, keynote speakers, opportunities to trade pins from your institution, a roll call competition, spirit competitions, and many more things. I experienced all of these at the national level for the first time this weekend, but I have seen them on the regional level two times. Programming sessions are designed to better you as a leader, better your residence life at your university, and how to improve yourself while you're at the conference.The spirit competitions are designed to create a heightened excitement across all of the eight regions throughout their time at the conference. The conference overall can not be put into the same set of words, because NACURH affects everyone differently.
The general effect that rolls over the delegations on that final Monday morning is severe exhaustion and sadness from saying goodbye to one of the most influential weekends of our lives.
NACURH, I am forever grateful, thank you for the opportunity to so many wonderful things.
