Initially, when my friend Izzy and I had the idea of creating a Park City BBYO Chapter, we were overwhelmed with doubt and fear. Building something from scratch is difficult, and we weren't sure how we would pull it off. Now, two years into establishing our chapter, I can say with confidence that all the stress was worth it. I am so happy we took the leap and started Park City, Utah’s first BBYO chapter.

Since we live in a small town with a small Jewish community, I assumed we would be limited in our ability to attract Jewish teens because of the small pool of potential members. That said, we have been successful beyond our expectations. We found that reaching out to people individually is a powerful tool for driving engagement and growth. Jewish teens are excited about the opportunity to feel more connected to the Jewish community and eager to attend events. Personal connections have expanded into local  community connections.

?In addition to  engaging with my Park City Jewish peers through BBYO, I have also met and connected with many teenagers from all around the country and the world. In March, I participated in the first-ever Chapter Founders Summit. At this event, I had the opportunity to meet many teenagers in the same position as me, starting up their own BBYO chapters in their smaller Jewish communities. The experience was incredible and highly beneficial for all of us, as we bonded and learned about BBYO's traditions, customs, and history. Together, we have strengthened our own chapters while simultaneously supporting each other on our unique BBYO journeys.  We have all stayed in touch and often discuss our chapter’s successes. In addition, we brainstorm new ideas and help troubleshoot when one of us is stuck. These friendships exemplify the power of the shared experiences BBYO fosters.

?I consider the friends I met at the Chapter Founder Summit to be some of my closest friends. Not only are we close, but, as stated above, we are resources for each other to rely on, even from across the country. If you have the opportunity to attend a convention or the future Chapter Founders Summit, I strongly suggest you take it. It validates all the hard work you have put in and makes you realize you are not alone.  Establishing a new chapter and creating community is hard work, but the rewards are worth the challenge, and I’m so grateful for all my BBYO friends, both in Park City and around the world.