When you first hear about BBYO, people start to think a bunch of different things. Some think it is a way to connect more to their Jewish identity, while others view it as a place to hang out. Either is fine.

Stage 1: Wait, what is BBYO?
You got a text from a friend asking you to come to their chapter's next BBYO event. You have no idea what BBYO is, what a BBG is, or why your friend has a “title.” But your friend promises there will be good food: pretzels and frosting.

You agree to go, but this is your only event. You can always leave if it's weird, right?

Stage 2: The First Event
You walk into your first event and immediately realize that everyone knows each other. Other people at the event are hugging and talking about things you have no context for. Meanwhile, you are just standing there, wondering if you should say hi or become one with the wall.

Then someone comes up to you and introduces herself; she tries to make an effort to get to know you. All of a sudden, you are talking with everyone, having fun making crafts, and realizing this isn't so bad after all! You leave thinking, "Wait, this is the best thing ever!”

Stage 3: The Board Crisis
You decide to join and come to another event. This event is for new members to learn about the chapter, board positions, whatever that is, and suddenly you are supposed to know a whole new language. BBG? N’siah? S’ganit? IC? You nod along like you understand, then immediately ask your friend EVERYTHING.

You slowly start to figure out what everything means. You learn who the board members are in your chapter, what a convention is, and why people are so scared about elections. You might not know what every acronym stands for, but at least you know that BBYO isn’t a cult. Although, with all the traditions, rituals, and terminology, you wouldn’t blame people for thinking it is.

Stage 4: Wait, These People Are Actually My Friends!
Between all the icebreakers, the events, and the group chats, something changes. You start recognizing people at school and making plans outside of BBYO. You have people to sit next to at events and people to text when you get bored or want a friend to talk to. And without even realizing it, BBYO becomes a place where you feel like you belong.

Stage 5: Your First Regional Convention!
You thought BBYO was just your chapter? Think again!

You arrive at your first convention and are now surrounded by hundreds of Jewish teens. These programs, separates, and traditions are what make this organization so special.

You might arrive knowing a couple of people, but in the end, you leave with thousands of friends. You are already making plans to see them and hang out with them, and before you know it, those people become your best friends.

Stage 6: BBYO Has Officially Taken Over Your Life
At this point, there's no going back.

Your camera roll is full of pictures of events and your friends. Your weekends are spent doing chapter events. You know the words to separate songs that you didn’t know a year ago. You start caring about your chapter's traditions, helping plan events, and getting excited about things that you wouldn't have been when you first joined.

Maybe you will run for board or help plan events. Maybe you are the person making plans with your friends to go to BBYO events.

Whatever it looks like, BBYO is no longer something you just do. It's something you're a part of.

Stage 7: Becoming S’ganit of Your Chapter
Remember when you were the person who had to be convinced to attend an event?

Now you are the person figuring out how to do that. You have hundreds of ideas for events in your brain but somehow can't make them work. Suddenly, you are thinking about themed events and how to have other people help steer them with you.

You go from showing up for snacks to being a reliable person who makes sure there are snacks. You learn that planning an event involves over 500 more details than you ever imagined. But when the event happens, people are having fun. They are laughing, making new friends at something you helped create.

Somewhere along the way, BBYO gave you the friendships you didn’t expect, memories you didn’t know you were going to create, and a community that feels like home.