Last month I attended a Grassroots Organizing Weekend, a series of workshops and activities that was developed by the U.S. Student Association. GROW was developed to give student and youth activists the tools to not only solve the problems we face, but to build organizations around the principles of direct action organizing to ensure long term change.

Until recently, I hadn’t had much experience in organizing or activism. Since I joined the League of Young Voters steering committee in May, attending GROW seemed like a good way to gain some skills.

I went to the workshop with Tina, the League’s community organizer, and Lisa, a steadfast League volunteer and steering committee member, not knowing what to expect. Right away, it was obvious that this was not going to be a traditional learning environment. We walked into the first training, “Skills for the Effective Organizer,” and couldn’t tell who the facilitator was. The 10 or so workshop participants were sitting in a circle brainstorming about a definition of grassroots organizing and ways to build membership for a cause. Larry Dansinger, our facilitator, let the group come up with a definition together, rather than telling the group what grassroots organizing means.

After the morning workshop, we broke for lunch (the first of many great meals we were to be fed that weekend!) During lunch, the sense of community we would forge that weekend began to emerge. Most people didn’t know one another, yet conversation about our various communities and organizations filled the dining hall. It was really great to meet new people of all ages and backgrounds and to learn about different organizations people are involved with in Maine and New England.

GROW has an open enrollment, so new faces appeared frequently throughout the weekend. By Saturday afternoon there was a fairly diverse group in terms of age, gender, sexual orientation, race and political affiliation. The diversity of the group really made it possible to hear different viewpoints and created an atmosphere for lively discussion both in and out of workshops.

The sense of community and the real intertwining of business and play that I felt during GROW has made a deep impression. I went into the training only knowing the two people I went with, but left with five new friends — people my age, who care about many of the same things I do, who are active in the community and live in Portland. It’s amazing how close you can grow to people when you spend a weekend eating, learning and playing together. Everyone’s commitment to social justice made for some excellent and serious discussions, but the time left for recreation and relaxation really allowed us to grow together on a personal level and as a temporary community.

I learned how easy it is to form a community with people of all ages and backgrounds if everyone is committed to being engaged in that community. I think the longing for a sense of community is an aspect of grassroots organizing -- the desire and willingness to work for a better community leads to the creation of a better world. Each person's dedication to improving their area, whether it be through music, art, political activism, social service work or volunteering, will ensure long-term change.

Grassroots organizing is a mean to building community and ending the isolation that is so pervasive in our culture. Perhaps more importantly, it can be a lot of fun! See you on the streets!

For more information about GROW, visit www.usstudents.org.

Melanie Horton is a 25-year-old Munjoy Hill resident and has lived in Portland for more than eight years. She earned a B.A. in media studies from the University of Southern Maine and is employed as an administrative assistant at United Way of Greater Portland. She loves going out to hear local music and participating in outdoor activities.