Passion from the inside-out

I have just return from another trip but this time it was directed towards educational purposes. Indianapolis is known for the Indy car races, Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, breaded pork tenderloins, and even the famous Steak and Shake. However, this year Indianapolis housed the American Humanics Management Institute. Where 800 students were surround with nonprofit CEO, VP, board members and professionals. Just as last year in Kansas City, the institute was filled with well-rounded workshops, a national dialog, case study, career expo, placement services, and new to this year, a service project. This institute is a national conference for so many students to really get the vibe of what American Humanics is all about. For me, it was the seal of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The institute is filled with inspirational moments that inspire students to dig deep into the guts of nonprofit work as you soul search for the niche you belong too.

(AH Students: Hugo Polanco, Emily Curry, Samuel Richard, Jaclyn Goris)

This was my second time attending AHMI (American Humanics Management Institute) and just like the first I returned home proud to be a nonprofit major. At AHMI you get the chance to bond with students from your own program and other university across the nation. You get to hear from amazing speakers that spark the fire in each of our hearts. But most of all you get to feel a part of this huge group of students and professionals across nation ready to make the next step in saving the world. AHMI 2009 theme, "The Power of Stories: Passion from the inside-out" focused on the many stories of how students and professionals found the passion to step into nonprofit profession . The conferences also focused on world and domestic hunger. One of the greatest speakers I have every heard was that opening night at the conferences. We were very lucky to hear from Robert Egger founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen, "where unemployed men and women learn marketable culinary skills while foods donated by restaurants, hotels and caterers are converted into balanced meals". He spoke about the passion he had to find within himself to start the DC Central Kitchen. He inspired the crowd but little did we know we inspired him. From his blog:

"Talk about a solid way to usher in a bold new year…and talk about a wildly motivated cohort of future leaders. I tell you what, I’ve spoken all over the country, and flat out— this upcoming generation is our salvation. They are wholeheartedly into the “what’s next” debate and I aim to help them find their voice. I love my generation, and I will continue to try to be part of the dialogue that helps them loosen their grip on the sector, so that this new generation (who have more of an economic stake in the race than we do) can begin to try new ideas, new tactics and…at times, entirely new economic and political approaches to solving really tough social issues that charity alone cannot even dent".

(AH Students: Geneva Hodges, Frank Carbone, Andrea Payne, Racheal Mangum)

It's hard to imagine the salvation of the world in our hands but it is true. We are up to bat the next term of difficulties, and hopefully we don't strike out. Those three days packed with professional training and inspiration is what I am going to have to top off next year in my internship. I'm ready....ready to inspire and stir in that spark of motivation in each every student that attends the amazing conference, American Humanics Management/Leadership Institute.

-Enjoying life as a nonprofit student.