Rediscovering Our Purpose: Here For You
Here for You began as a club created by students for students, a vital aspect that sometimes gets overlooked in our operations. At times, our events seem to emphasize professionalism over genuine connection, which raises the question: why have we made joyless events the focal point of our club?
I’m not here to criticize our past efforts. Often, in our pursuit of planning events that we believe would benefit the CMU community, we become too focused on the “mighty mission” of the club. Labeling ourselves an “organization” can make us feel important, but it also brings pressures that can overshadow our true purpose. In reality, we’re just a group of students eager to make a difference.
I want to refocus our club's efforts on its original purpose: serving our community, which includes us, the organizers. It’s surprising to plan large events that we, as former regular members, hadn’t thought to attend ourselves. While I recognize the importance of understanding eating disorders, I wouldn’t have gone to an event solely dedicated to that topic without knowing its content, my potential contributions, and whether it would be worth my time. This leads me to reflect on my early days at CMU when I was eager to support wellness and mental health because my own struggles were significant.
The vision has always been about creating a space where we can discuss our struggles and support one another. The power of having a voice is immense; it fosters resonance and can spark new ideas for addressing shared challenges. I’ve often underestimated the importance of discussion, yet some of my biggest breakthroughs have come from conversations, articles, and other resources, not just my own experiences. A community helps us process our ideas and compare our perspectives with others.
So, that’s a long-winded background on this “new era” of Here for You, which I admit feels especially significant to me! It feels like I’m kickstarting a project that has called to me since freshman year, and it’s taken many turns to finally dive into this endeavor. My friends say this project suits me well, and I’m starting to think they might know me better than I know myself… but that’s a topic for another blog!
With this project, I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety about balancing my voice while representing Here for You. I want to ensure my actions reflect positively on the organization and future members. The internet has a long memory, reminding us to be thoughtful about what we share and to hold ourselves accountable.
I also feel a bit selfish for pursuing my interests under the Here for You banner. But if this isn’t the space for exploration, what are student organizations for? Are executive members just slaves to the masses after accepting leadership roles? It may sound dramatic, but if organizers become burnt out from uninspiring events, the sustainability and effectiveness of any club will suffer. Let’s keep student organizations vibrant with passion, curiosity, and excitement, reserving the rigid, professional events for our classes and the corporate world. College isn’t just about building career skills; it’s also about discovering who you are.
Perhaps you’re here just to study hard and earn a valuable degree—that’s valid! But if you ever find yourself questioning what it means to thrive, I hope this blog can serve as a starting point.
So, join me on this journey of exploring college life, particularly at CMU. Let’s embark on this adventure of discussion and idea exchange together! I hope you find everything you want or need during your time here.
With Love,
Vivian
P.S: If you're interested in discussing what Here For You can be, come to our next GBM event this Thursday! Or come visit on our regular GBMs on Mondays. We hope to see you there!
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