Weekend Reflection : NODA Region IX

What a great weekend. I had the opportunity to make a trip to Danvers, MA for NODA. And went through so much (positiveness), I needed to break this post into two parts. The NODA experience then the way too in depth internal thinking.

NODA Region IX was such an incredible experience. I have been looking forward to this conference for the last three months, yet Friday sort of snuck up on me - and then BAM I was driving then there. The second part is going to be more about the drive and reflection. However, this is all about the NODA experience!

1. The incredibly amazing people

Just incredible people all around. Primarily talking about staff, but the students were incredible too (look at #2). The people I met were dedicated, positive, accepting, so freaking fun, and just all around salt of the Earth folks. As someone coming to NODA for the first time and by myself, I was accepted by many groups across the board. By dinner the first night I had a group and was able to bounce all around.

It always amazes me of how important the extra activities are at conferences. The unstructured time. That is where the real ideas are shared, where friends are made, and where the experience actually happens.

We all just had a blast together. I actually made some new (incredibly amazingly awesome) friends. It has been a long time since I've been able to say that. Just some great people. May need to go to Boston more often.

2. The students...the students!

Oh Gosh, and the students - so much freaking energy. I wish I could have brought some students.

I feel they focused the programming for the students, which is great and where it should be. They all seem to be so full of positive energy. Every team was great to watch. Rejuvenating is the only way I can describe how incredible to watch this.

3. The learning: SO MUCH LEARNING

This weekend truly changed the direction I was going with our Orientation operations. Moving myself and our campus into a much more positive direction. Looking forward to the 2017 Summer Orientation and the future of our program.

In the end, this was just an amazing experience. I learned so much. Met so many amazing people. I need to go to more conferences.

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