I am fortunate in the fact that I have grown up in ESA..so much so that I have attended IC Convention every single summer. That's right-this year is my 22nd ESA IC Convention.
So as we prepare to head to St. Louis and be surrounded by our ESA Family, I thought I would share my family's "Top 10 Reasons to Attend Convention."
Reason 10: Food Adventures.
This one is special to my family and my close ESA Family, because we somehow always end up on wild food adventures. From venturing to a pizza place in Minnesota where you end up eating big balls of sausage on your pizza that you scoop up with a foam to-go container macgyvered with a pocket knife, to hunting for good German restaurants so you can have pretzel's with cheese and schnitzel, my family has some of the best food adventures. And I think it's safe to say that most people at Convention aren't afraid to hunt for the good food.
Reason 9: It's Family-Friendly!
Are you confused as to how I've attended IC Convention every year? Well, if you couldn't figure it out by my stories under food adventures, IC Convention is truly a family-friendly affair. There are things for ESA Members of all ages to do! My family knows that when we head to Convention, the golf clubs will be packed, as my dad goes with the golf group nearly every day that we are gone. When we were younger, my sister and I had a babysitter that tagged along-whether it was a family friend or the daughter of my mom's fellow chapter member...and then for a while, my grandma tagged along to hang out with us! Once we were old enough, we gradually started attending meetings more and more each year. If you bring your family along, my sister and I promise that we will show your kids the ropes and introduce them to the best grandmas, moms, and aunts that are out there!
Reason 8: Flag Ceremony/Hope for Heroes Workshop
Some years, there are tears running down my face during the flag ceremony. ESA is often fortunate to have had those who have served or are currently serving our country do the honor of bringing in the American flag. And that is truly inspirational. During the flag ceremony, we bring in the flags of each state represented in ESA. We carry in the flags of the three country's where ESA is present: The United States of America, Canada, and Australia. We bring in the flags of St. Jude's Hospital and Easter Seals. We bring in the All Faith Flag, representing that ESA welcomes people of all faiths. We bring in the flag of the ESA Foundation and ESA International. Each year during the Hope for Heroes Workshop, we are reminded of the countless efforts of the men and women who protect our country. We are reminded of the many ways that we can continue to support and provide for those men and women, along with their families.
Reason 7: Easter Seals Workshop
In this workshop, we smile, because we are reminded of how our efforts of supporting Easter Seals go to use..we are reminded of the AMAZING services that Easter Seals is able to provide because of the support from ESA. We hear stories of the individuals who benefit from the services provided by Easter Seals. We share about new ways to volunteer with our local Easter Seals branch.
Reason 6: Opening/Closing Rituals
It's one thing to say the opening/closing rituals at a chapter meeting or local state convention..but it's a whole different thing to say them in a room full of hundreds of your ESA Sisters and Brothers. Every year, I leave the closing ritual with goosebumps. It's so moving to know that every person in that room have the same goals in mind-always working to "be the change" and "meet the needs of the ever changing world."
Reason 5: St. Jude Meet the Patient Workshop
There's a phrase that my sister, mom, and I say every year: don't wear make up on Friday. Just don't..unless it's waterproof mascara. I'm pretty confident when I say that there is a 95% chance that you will cry during the St. Jude Workshop. I mean, hearing the stories of patients and survivors from St. Jude is nothing short of inspirational. These young children go through more than some of us will ever go through. They fight the odds and attempt to beat childhood cancer, and we are just a small part of their story by donating items and raising money.
Reason 4: The friendships you make will last a lifetime.
You may think that you've made some incredible friendships throughout your life. But let me tell you, until you go to IC Convention and meet some of the PICPA's, you have't made some of your most important friendships. None of the ESA Members at Convention are your "average" member. In some way, shape, or form, each member attending Convention does something that makes them stand out in a good way. Whether you become friends with one of the inspiring Past President's, become friends with a fellow "first time attendee," or become friends with a member you meet in the coffee line, I can guarantee that you will meet some of your closest and most inspirational friends during your time at IC Convention.
Reason 3: Traveling to new places-but never alone!
Remember how "Reason 4" was about friendships? Well...even during your first Convention, I guarantee that if you want to explore a part of the city where we are at, at least one person at convention will want to go with you. And every time you come back after the first, you will have so many new friends that will be willing to travel and explore new places with you. I mean, the first year that I met my lovely Idaho moms, I went to the bone museum with them..so never be afraid to ask someone to do something with you..because if they don't want to go, I bet they will know someone who would want to go. You will never travel alone again!
Reason 2: Your life will be forever changed for the better.
If you haven't figured it out by now, all of these reasons add up to having one of the best experiences of your life. Attending Convention and going to different meetings and workshops will forever change your life. You'll never be the same, because your new friends will continue to mold you, push you, and encourage you for years to come.
Reason 1: Your overall love for ESA will grow more than you ever imagined possible.
I mean, if reading all of these reasons hasn't gotten you excited about ESA..then you are just going to have to come and experience Convention for yourself! I promise you won't regret it. Your love for this amazing organization will grow from the moment you arrive and continue to grow once you leave. Your idea wheel will be constantly spinning. You will leave wanting to impact your community even more than your chapter already has-and I guarantee it will be epic.
Peace, love, and hugs to all of my ESA Family! I can't wait to see you all in St. Louis next week!
**I have a challenge for all of you attending Convention: let's see how many people I can get selfies with! Whether I've known you for my entire life or you have no clue who I am but just read my blog-find me and let's take a picture together!!
