I’m just starting my 10th year as a member of ROM YPC and what keeps me renewing are the other members. Toronto is often (in my experience) referred to as a cold city where it's difficult to make new friends, and while it might have taken the better part of my first year to get past my social anxiety to reach out to people in the group that I didn't know, I've never, not once, gotten anything but a warm reception with YPC. I’m on the Committee now because I want to get newer members over that ‘at a party where I don’t know anyone’ hurdle faster than I did.
My first YPC event was an exploration of the Egyptian galleries. I learned stories about the objects that I still retell (tip: always ask a staff member what they can’t tell the school groups), but I was befuddled at why there were 40-50 people who never left the reception to go into the exhibition. I didn't understand it then. I do now.
Even before I joined the organizing committee, I felt a connection to the Museum as a YPC member. This is my museum. I know I'm better off for being a part of ROM, and I hope that ROM is better off for my involvement.