It all starts with an open mind.

I was walking into Chapters the other day and my eyes started running wild. There is something about that place that gets my heart racing and my legs moving faster and faster as I walk. That may sound strange, but give me a second to explain and perhaps you'll agree with my reasoning.

That place is filled with ideas. Creative ideas by people like you and me, that decided to pick up a pen and a piece of paper and start writing. Each book that stands on the shelves has a rich history; a history created by a person that wasn't afraid to share their thoughts and ideas with the rest of the world. That person decided to take a chance on the world and the acceptance that they may or may not receive from critics like you and I.

What kind of critic are you? When you walk into Chapters do you judge a book by its cover? Or, do you read the short summary provided about the book and make a decision from there? Or maybe, just maybe, you open the book and stand in the middle of the aisle for a good ten minutes reading the first chapter, and then decide whether you're going to invest your time in reading the rest.

As you board the plane to Ottawa, you're mind is going to be racing with thoughts, questions, concerns, and ideas. I can tell you from experience that your mind is going to be racing even faster when you walk through the doors of Carlton University and have your first opportunity to examine the space that you'll be spending a lot of time in over the period of the conference. In front of your eyes will display many creative ideas that youth just like you have come up with. These youth decided to take a chance; they rook a risk that critics like you would accept and appreciate their ideas. There are going to be speakers that take the time to come to the ACTIVATE Conference to speak. These people, like the books that sit on the shelves of Chapters, come with a rich history that is geared to inspire and motivate others.

How are you going to react to this environment, covered with ideas, opportunity for change and positive development? Are you going to judge it at first glance, and turn the other way? Or perhaps you may walk around a little bit, look at a few topics that will be covered over the conference and then stop there.

Here's my suggestion: Start by boarding the plane with an open mind. Leave your expectations and fears at the gate. Allow your heart to race a little faster as the plane ascents towards Ottawa. When you arrive in Ottawa, accept that your legs may walk a little faster than normal in anticipation for what is in store for you over the course of the week. Then, when you finally arrive at the doors of Carlton University and you have your first look at the space where the conference will be held, walk around and take in all the creative ideas and opportunity that surrounds you.

The opportunities, experiences, and creative ideas that will be shared and experienced throughout the week will only be there if you allow your mind to take a chance. Making a positive difference in your community isn't easy, but neither is writing a book. However, if you walk into Chapters there are hundreds, upon hundreds of books filling the shelves. What does that mean? It means that there are people that decided to take a chance at the world and succeeded.

So, take a chance on the world, open your mind to the possibilities and see what kind of book you may be able to write!

-Becky Molly
ACTIVATE 2010 Volunteer

You ask, why try? I ask, why not?

The applicaton process is complete. The selection is finalized. The results are being distributed. But, here's the secret: It's only just begun.

There are two reactions that you might have experienced when opening that email from Motivate Canada. One being, a huge burst of excitement, a sense of accomplishment and an extreme amount of anticipation for what May has in store for you. Why? Because you have been selected to attend the ACTIVATE 2010 Conference. The second reaction might be a rush of disappointment, followed by questioning yourself as to why you thought you had a chance to attend the conference in the first place. Why? Because unfortunately, you did not get chosen.

You might be wondering why I was able to pin point your given reactions. It's because I've experienced both. I remember in 2008, when I was anxiously awaiting my fate from Motivate Canada. My friend had also applied, and when I arrived at school that week she had the first reaction all over her face. At that point, I couldn't wait to go home to check my e-mail. Needless to say, that day wasn't a happy day for me. On top of it all, I had to show my encouragement and support for my friend, when all I wanted to do was scream in frustration. I began questioning why I bothered applying in the first place. Why did I think I had a chance to attend such a conference? My conclusion that day was, clearly I wasn't good enough to be a part of such an inspiring and determined group of youth.

That's a pretty depressing conclusion that I came up with at the end of the day! Thankfully, I discovered a beautiful fact. I was a part of a generation that was and is geared for change. Just because I didn't get accepted didn't mean I didn't have what it took. It meant that there were so many youth that had what it took! Just because I didn't get accepted to the conference didn't mean I wasn't good enough, it meant that so many youth were good enough!

Needless to say, I ran with the beautiful fact I had discovered and waited patiently for Motivate Canada to promote the next ACTIVATE Conference. That's why in 2009 I applied again. It was a year later, I had another year of opportunities and experiences under my belt and I wasn't ready to throw in the towel. And it paid off, because that year I experienced the first reaction; that burst of excitement and a sense of accomplishment. I was a delegate for the ACTIVATE 2009 Conference.

And now I sit here, with the opportunity to share my stories and my thoughts to each of you reading. Why? Because I didn't let a rejection scare me away, nor did I let the acceptance to attend an ACTIVATE Conference be the last of my interactions with the Motivate Canada Organization.

We are a part of a generation that can make change. Some people may ask, why try? I ask, why not?

First Post!

Hey there!

Welcome to the official ACTIVATE National Youth Leadership Conference Volunteer Blog. Here, you will find stories and advice from the ACTIVATE Alumni that are organizing ACTIVATE 2010.

Who is the volunteer team? Meet us all here:

http://www.motivatecanada.ca/en/2010volunteers

We have all attended the conference before as delegates and a couple of us were even volunteers before, so we have quite a bit of insight to offer. If you have questions, you can email us at:

activatevolunteers@gmail.com

We promise we will reply to your message in less than 24 hours!

Your questions are important to us too, because it will give us ideas about what to blog about here. If it seems like a lot of people are wondering the same thing, it will be posted on this blog and simplify the process.

Keep checking this blog, find our youtube channel (motivate canada video) and don't hesitate to email us!

-Braeden Jones

Volunteer Team Leader