YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs (CONA) |
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YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs (CONA) |
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If you've never heard of CONA, it is a conference where people who have participated in their home state's YMCA Youth and Government (or Youth in Government) programs can gather to discuss issues of National and International importance. Over 400 delegates from over 25 states attend this annual event.
Western North
Carolina is a pretty place; the misty mornings in the Blue Ridge
Mountains look great from the porch of Lee Hall.
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This is Lee Hall--the great old "economy style lodging" where most delegates stay.
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The front porch of Lee Hall is where you can find almost anyone hanging out in one of those famous Green Rocking chairs
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Each delegate researches and writes a proposal dealing with a significant current national or international issue, these proposals go through up to three rounds of committee discussion and debate, and then the "best of the best" are taken to the General Assembly of all delegates for final debate and a vote. Montana gets its share of recognition! Love those "intent" speeches!
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Montana has sent delegates to CONA since 1996, and we have a really
great time every year! We enjoy meeting wonderful people from all
over the United States and talking about the issues that affect us
all.
To find out more about CONA, click here to link to Karl Frisch's Official CONA home page.
For a list of CONA participants email addresses nationally, click here
Montana Youth and Government Participants: We plan to attend CONA again next year, so if you want to go, please contact the State Office to apply. (If you are from another state, contact your state's YMCA Youth and Government office for information.)
If you want to contact anyone from Montana who was at CONA this past year, click on the "Email Us" image above to send email to the State Office of the Montana YMCA Youth and Government Program, and we will be sure to pass your message on to whomever you wish.
Nathan Bartel of the Montana Delegation
wrote the piece below as a way of explaining the very special
experience that is CONA:
I came to CONA not knowing at all what to
expect. In fact, when I wasn't greeted at the airport, I became
rather doubtful that this would be as much fun as everyone said it
would be. But the first few hours that I spent at Blue Ridge
dispelled all doubts. At least 20 people introduced themselves to me
in the first half hour that I was there. I was, if not downright
amazed, very delighted at this and tried my hardest to return all the
friendship.
That night, the PO's introduced me to something known as the "Blue Ridge Spirit". I did not know what they were talking about. It took me a long to time to discover it for myself. . .
The next day, we started work on proposals. We first went to a proposal sharing group where everyone was very supportive and helpful. I received some ideas about my proposal and also met people with whom I would become very good friends. In first committee, I got used to speaking in front of everyone here. It was a totally different atmosphere than in my State Leg. I found that it was much more open minded. People were not debating just for the sake of debating; they were voicing their honest opinions.
But I did not know the Blue Ridge Spirit.
I saw my first devotional that night. It was a very moving experience for me. When I first came, I was very skeptical of the emphasis on religion. But I thought the Devotional was very powerful and even found myself looking forward to the next one. I was surprised to discover how much I appreciated it.
But I did not know the Blue Ridge Spirit.
About halfway through the week, we were given several hours of free time. I decided to go on a hike up to High Top. This is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. After several hours of toil up incredibly steep trails and rock faces, I reached the top with 5 other people. We were the first ones to see the spectacular view that spreads out before a rocky ledge near the top of a peak. Looking at the trees, the winding river and the distant, hazy mountains all lovingly covered with a deep, rich blue sky, one could not help but to wonder at the power, glory, and absolute beauty of God and nature. A literally breath-taking view immediately captures your whole and complete conscienceness so that you stand, dumbfounded and utterly awestruck, gaping at the indescribable beauty of what lies before you.
But I still did not know the Blue Ridge Spirit.
We then went to the GA for some heated debate on the proposals that had proven their worth previously. I watched, I listened, and I learned.
I watched.
I watched absolutely brilliant people arguing the merits of proposals. I watched the joy of an author after having their idea affirmed by youth from around the country. And I watched the sorrow of an author after their proposal, after so much time and effort, was ultimately rejected by their peers.
And still I did not know the Blue Ridge Spirit.
I listened.
I listened to the logic of the constitution, spreading its freedom and blessing to all citizens. I listened to the powerful force of emotional appeal, crying out to be heard. And I listened to words of wisdom and advice from those much wiser than I.
And still I did not know the Blue Ridge Spirit.
I learned.
I learned that our country is incredibly diverse, incorporating ideas and thoughts and cultures that are all seemingly opposed yet inevitably join together. I learned that I am but one person from one state; one pebble in the sand, seemingly insignificant at times, but always just as important and special as any other, no less and no more. I learned that I have much to learn still; that I have only just begun a quest for knowledge and wisdom.
And still I did not know the Blue Ridge Spirit.
It was the final day of CONA. We had just finished our last GA session and were going to the closing ceremony. It was here that something truly extraordinary happened:
I stopped watching. . .
I stopped listening. . .
I stopped learning. . .
. . . with my mind,
I started seeing. . .
I started feeling. . .
I started understanding. . .
. . . with my heart.
It was in the final hours of the '97 conference when I started seeing who these wonderful people surrounding me really were. I started feeling what they were feeling. I started understanding them and prayed for their understanding of me. And I knew then what this conference is really about.
It was in that precious moment that I truly knew, with all my heart and soul, what the Blue Ridge Spirit is. And it will be with me forever.
--Nathan Bartel , 1997
The YMCA Conference on National Affairs is organized under the auspices of the South Field of the YMCA of the USA.
