Marina Pecorino
Managing Editor of Content & Statistics
My first experience at Conference was in 2012 as a love volunteer. I waited until my fourth year as a piercer to attend. I was intimidated by the amount of knowledge available and concerned that my foundation was not yet firm enough to grasp it all. What a mistake. Looking back, I wish I had attended Conference as soon and as often as possible. The experience really has changed my life in ways that I can’t explain, most of which are not ways that I would have expected.
Being an introvert, I’m not fully at ease in situations involving a multitude of strangers. This had also been a deterrent when thinking about attending. In an attempt to force myself out of my shell during that first year, I asked Caitlin McDiarmid if there was anything I could do to help. That’s where it all began.
As a love volunteer, I had fewer structured responsibilities, but there was still plenty to be done and we all worked together to make it happen. In the weeks leading up to Conference, I became Facebook friends with many of the other volunteers as we helped Caitlin prepare. Thanks to modern technology, I had a bit of exposure to all the friendly faces from across the world I would soon meet. I began to feel a bit more connected with the community. Previously, I stayed on the outskirts and isolated, having the expectation that I wasn’t “cool enough” to take part. It’s almost funny how, within a community comprised largely of shy, awkward, weirdos, I felt like I was too shy, awkward, and weird.
The accepting atmosphere exuded by everyone at Conference quickly changed my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I still barely spoke during that entire week and spent most of my meals alone, but I was a lot more at ease than I ever expected to be. Having the structure and encouragement of the 2012 volunteer group was an incredible experience, and without this experience, my life would be in a drastically different place right now.
My original intention when I asked to volunteer was to distract myself from my insecurities. Unexpectedly, I also gained vital experience, life-long friends, and a closer connection to an extraordinary organization and community. I am inspired by the people that join forces to make the Association of Professional Piercers what it is. The level of dedication I have witnessed in my relatively short time of involvement is incredible. The sense of fulfillment from volunteering and taking part in such a project, as we all collaborate to spread the safe piercing message, has forever changed me.
This year will mark my second conference attendance (unfortunately, life interfered during 2013 and 2014) and my fourth year as a volunteer. For a while now, I’ve been counting down the days until Conference. I am in the process of mentally preparing myself to be more outgoing and not miss out on all the amazing hugs and support that are so plentiful during that one week. If our paths cross, please don’t hesitate to say hello, especially if you’re a first year attendee! I also encourage new attendees to take full advantage of the mentor program, especially if you’re shy, awkward, and weird. This program is a great way to feel less alone and overwhelmed during a week filled with so many new faces, lessons, and experiences. And I hear that if you’re in search of the best chicken and waffles around, these amazing people can point you in the right direction.