CARP Boston Starts Off Strong This Spring

The Boston chapter of the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) is jumping into the spring semester with a variety of activities for students and the public. The CARP group has been hosting weekly meetings based on the five core themes of CARP: relationships, integrity, value, spirituality and purpose.

A typical meeting begins with a moment of silence and reflection, followed by a 10-minute presentation on the week’s theme. For example, not long ago local CARP leader Katie Howe spoke on the topic of relationships, and especially about the importance of giving people choices rather than demands. CARP Boston was also lucky recently to have Teresa Ferrete, program director of the National CARP organization, come and speak on the topic of integrity.

After the presentations, participants are encouraged to engage in deep discussion in pairs and with the larger group. Often students reflect on how the message can be incorporated into their daily life. Meetings sometimes include an activity to help solidify the lesson. So far the group has met on the topic of relationships, integrity and value, and looks forward to its next gathering on the topic of spirituality.

Along with the weekly meetings, CARP students engage in regular social activities and programs. The group recently went to a game of the Boston Celtics professional basketball team. Even though the Celtics lost to the Detroit Pistons, all of the students expressed their joy and excitement on sharing the experience and getting to know one another better.

With the unity of the team continuing to build, the Boston CARP chapter is gearing up for a community-wide event. Working in collaboration with Women’s Federation for World Peace, the students plan to hold a panel discussion on the topic of women in Islam. They are still in the planning stages, but hope that it will be a successful and engaging event that is open to the public.

The weekly meetings and yearly activities have been a great way to connect with students and to help them think about topics that often fall through the cracks in the midst of their university studies. “[The meeting] was exactly what I needed to hear,” said a recent participant. Another enthusiastically commented, “I just liked how we were all able to share about our lives, and the [activity] made me reflect on myself.” Providing a forum for deep conversations and reflection has been a powerful and positive experience that the Boston participants plan to continue.