New Jersey's Regional Meeting

 

On October 15 I was given the opportunity to attend New Jersey's Regional Meeting. New Jersey is one of the states within the Middle States Region but, in hopes of increasing attendance at the fall meeting, the region has more than one daylong regional meeting. As far as I know they are the only region that does it but it is certainly an interesting idea and seems to be working well. Since the meeting started at 8:30 on Saturday, I was supposed to fly in Friday night. In fact, I left Maine (or attempted to leave Maine) at noon. Over the next twenty four hours my flight was canceled, the flight I was switched to landed too late to get me on the final flight to New Jersey. I was called a liar and put on standby after six other people - even though I was the first of those six to try to get on standby. It was one of the most frusturating experiences of my life.

I finally made it to New Jersey on Saturday at about noon. I felt completely disheveled and things weren't even done going wrong ---->
(anything look different about the picture?) Luckily, the Middle States Region is a group of extremely gracious hosts and I had a wonderful time anyway. I got there, had lunch, and spent time time some time meeting with chapter members in attendance. Especially exciting was getting to meet some of their Regional Officers and catch up with a fellow International Officer Candidate from the area. I then delivered the Headquarters Update and participated in the ending ceremonies. I couldn't believe all of the Phi Theta Kappans that I met - what an extremely motivated region with incredible goals and ideas.

After everyone had said their goodbyes, I was invited out to dinner with the regional team (to my favorite restaurant) and was very grateful to have a little bit more time to spend with them. Immediately after dinner, however, we went our separate ways so that I could finally pick up my luggage (from an airport different from the one I landed at) and get a couple of hours of sleep before having to wake up to another full day of flying. If it wasn't for such wonderful company, this would've been one of my worst experiences. As it stands, I guess it counts for a funny story and I made some great friends in the process. Can't wait to see everyone again!

Until next time!
Danielle