When you think of BBYO, you might imagine the huge programs, packed convention rooms, and hundreds of teens coming together. But not every chapter looks like that. Some chapters are smaller, geographically spread out, or part of smaller Jewish communities. No matter what your chapter looks like, there is a place for you in BBYO’s picture frame. 

Being part of a smaller chapter can sometimes feel like you have to work harder to create the same energy and opportunities that larger chapters seem to have naturally. Getting people to programs, coming up with new ideas, and building excitement can take extra effort. When you see other chapters hosting huge events or bringing tons of members together, it can be easy to wonder if your chapter should be doing more or if you are missing something.

As I write this, I am over a month into my term as chapter N’siah of my seemingly smaller chapter. In this short amount of time, I have learned that building a strong chapter takes time, and I am lucky enough to have had predecessors who spent the time to accomplish this. An equally as challenging goal is maintaining it all while continuing to thrive as a chapter. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box to make programs exciting or find new ways to bring people together. It can feel frustrating when you do not have the same number of people at a regional event or the same opportunities right around the corner. Although it can be challenging, these experiences have helped me appreciate what makes our chapter special. 

Something I have also learned is how important general members are, especially in a smaller chapter. In a chapter like Hilah BBG, every person who shows up, participates, or encourages a friend to come to a program can make a real difference. And due to our size, those people are recognized, and each person is known personally. General members do more than fill a room. They create the chapter’s energy and help make BBYO feel welcoming. 

At the same time, being a general member in a smaller chapter within a large region can sometimes make you feel overlooked. You can be an important part of your own chapter while still feeling like a small piece of a much bigger picture. With so many chapters, members, and events across DC Council and Northern Region East, it can be hard to see where you fit in, even when your contributions mean so much to your own community. I am here to tell you: you can be a big part of something even when you are part of a small group. You do not need to hold a board position or be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. Consistently showing up, welcoming a new member, or helping someone feel included can be just as meaningful as leading a program. 

Next, every chapter has its own strengths. Larger chapters may have more people to plan programs or bring to conventions, making them look more successful. But, each chapter has their own unique definition of success. For my chapter, success is building close friendships and giving each member a voice. Neither experience is better than the other. They are simply different pieces of what makes BBYO such a special movement. 

It can be tempting to compare your chapter to the ones around you, especially when you see everything happening across your region. Your attendance, the houses you host members at, the way your chapter is perceived on social media. But, again, your chapter does not have to look like anyone else’s to be successful. You can take inspiration from other chapters without feeling like you have to become them. Your community has its own personality, its own traditions, and its own people who make it special.

Think of BBYO like a picture frame. Every chapter brings its own colors, stories, and memories to the bigger picture. Some chapters might be bigger than others, but the picture would not be the same without each one. And within every chapter, each member adds something that helps bring the whole picture to life. 

If you are part of a smaller chapter, remember that you do not have to measure your success by someone else’s numbers. Celebrate the friendships you build, the ideas you bring to life, and the little moments that make your community feel like home.  And if you are a general member who sometimes feels overlooked in the bigger movement, remember that your involvement matters, even when you do not always see the impact yourself. 

You do not have to be the biggest chapter in the region to make a difference, nor do you have to be on board to matter. You only have to keep showing up, caring about your community, and helping it grow in its own way because BBYO’s picture frame would not be complete without you.