CARP directors from around the United States met in New York this summer to discuss the need to develop a clear formula course for being a CARP member. We wanted to clearly articulate the opportunities, and the expectations, of CARP membership.

The Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles is an association of students committed to lifestyle of purity and public service, through the study and practice of the Unification Principle taught by Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon.

Goals: - To foster spiritual growth through an in-depth study of the Unification Principle - To develop a community of students based on a common faith and tradition - To train self-motivated individuals with a strong sense of public mindedness - To instill a spirit of activism that motivates students to work for positive social change - To assist young people in personal growth, preparation for marriage and family, and success in a future career

The purpose of the IMPACT program is to develop a standardized structure for incoming CARP members, whether they are 1st or 2nd generation. It is our hope that this system will help young CARP members strengthen their life of faith, and feel called to live a mission oriented life. It is also our hope that seeing this program clearly laid out in advance will help new members, as well as their parents, feel more confident that time devoted to CARP will be beneficial and productive. We are also developing an alumni program for graduates.

Upon entering the CARP program, the new member is asked to make a commitment to public life for one full year. The year focuses on four main activities: educational programs on the Unification Principle, community service projects, team fundraising and witnessing. Through these activities CARP members will have the opportunity to grow their hearts, meet God and be able to overcome different personal issues. Also they will be able to secure their own belief system and personal relationship with God.

During the first semester, new CARP members are trained together in one or more large centers. They develop sense of family and community that will carry on through the training period. CARP members who will be continuing on to college the following year may also request assistance in the application or deferment process.

CARP members are encouraged, but not required, to offer a second year of public service. The second year is devoted to leadership training. The young members will be expected to take on more responsibility in center life. They will usually be transferred to another, smaller center where they will begin preparation to learn about campus life as a CARP student. There is an opportunity to take classes on a college campus, as well as be involved in campus activities.

Through this balance of center life and taking classes, we expect that the transition into becoming a full time student will be much easier.

CARP members, 1st or 2nd generation will both benefit from this time spent learning how to hold on to a life of faith while excelling on their academic studies.

Every year during the summer months, each CARP member will have an opportunity to take part in several activities including the annual Pure Love Tour, the World CARP Academy or a fundraising or witnessing campaign.

After graduating from one or two years of full time public service, CARP members will routinely attend a four-year college of their choice. While at school, CARP members are encouraged to become actively involved in the building of CARP and Pure Love Alliance chapters on their campus.

The first year on campus is used to set up the club. The CARP member should find opportunities through the local community to teach PLA material to junior high/high school students, as well as community service projects relating to the issue. These activities can be offered as opportunities for college students on their campuses to become involved in the PLA as well as act as networking projects for other groups.

Another focus is social activism. This may involve rallies, marches, protests, petitions, and political involvement related to the issue and challenging the media. Students should become well versed in the issue and be able to develop strategies to attack free sex and the ideologies of Kinsey and Hugh Hefner.

After graduation from their university/college CARP members will be encouraged to devote as much time as they can to act as an elder CARP brother or sister. There are a variety of ways to stay involved.

For those willing to come back and help raise up younger brothers and sisters and take on central leadership positions in CARP, there will be significant leadership positions available that can lead to salaried, professional posts They may also become involved in the Sunday school program as teachers or youth pastors. Members may also choose to go on to attend the Unification Seminary or other graduate school.

There should be some graduation process/ceremony at the end of this time period where members formally become CARP alumni. At this time the amount of direct involvement with CARP will understandably decrease. Still, alumni can play an important role as elder brothers and sisters to members in the earlier years of the program. Alumni will be solicited to help in large workshops or CARP functions where extra support may be necessary. A newsletter is being published, and we are holding special reunion gatherings to keep in contact.

Reprinted from The Carp Ghost—the newsletter of the World CARP Alumni Association.

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