Hello.
I have gone through a tough turmoil that we all have or are going through at the moment: studying for and taking finals. I'm not some super smart ace or anything, and I'm lucky to have scraped by by the skin of my teeth this year, but I sure as hell tried. I made a sacrifice though. For three weeks, I shirked my responsibilities as a president.
Suuure....you say "well, student before president so don't worry". NO! dammit. NO! You are right about being a student first. After all, if I weren't a student in good standing, I would not, according to our bylaws, be able to serve as your president. However, a good president wouldn't have to shirk responsibility to get shit done.
If I were a good president, I would have a) prepared far enough in advance with as much detail that I wouldn't have to worry about the events during and after studies weeks (i.e. have a plan) or b) have dedicated, willing, and able members be appointed to take care of the responsibilities for me while I struggle to save my ass from the impending doom of probation and suspension (by the way, option two seems damn near impossible to fulfill because you are technically the most dedicated, so there is nobody else besides you who is willing to give up precious time and attention to cki rather than study, at least from my experience)
Do you really want a list where I messed up?
No. I won't give you that list. It's a sign of weakness, which, yes...I am showing. Buuut...that's not the point of this message.
The point is, for future presidents and CKI leaders, be prepared! First message: be prepared. Elementary in theory, difficult in practice. Shit will get thrown your way, distract you, and soon enough....crap the event is nigh! Then again, maybe it's just me. I see other people who make it look like cake. I'm sorry, but I am working toward that enlightened status. I just hope that this wake up call reaches you future leaders so it doesn't reach you like it did to me. Use your summer and winter break wisely!!
Second message: move on. I am almost done sulking and beating myself up for screwing up. President's don't normally get second chances. So I've been thinking, "crud, I botched my only chance to have a great secret santa bonding event" or " damn, another WaW weekend come and gone and NOBODY KNEW ABOUT IT".
Well, nothing I can do about it now. I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE TO THOSE WHO I HAVE LET DOWN.
You see, feeling guilty about failure shows that you really do care, but at the same time you can't let it slow you down. If you REALLY cared, you wouldn't let it happen again.
I lost sight of why I ran for president in the first place. All I saw were my failures and let them get to me. With all the stress of the past few weeks, it's easy to see that, but so much harder to see all the wins along the way. I've finally taken the time to reflect and see what is truly important to me. Thanksgiving is once a year, but really we should be thankful every day.
I'm thankful for:
the dozens of benefit walks we have helped out and cheered at
the memorable trips to California with new faces
the funky icebreakers that we do
the stories told at happy/sad change
our post meeting socials
all of our awesome videos
our visits to the boys and girls club
helping out at kids carnivals and events
getting swiped into the dining commons
spending a miserable night being homeless together
supporting a contestant in a pageant
meeting a real life hero - a child cancer survivor
scaring kids in a haunted house
bringing Christmas to a family in need
delivering food to the homeless every week
invading and claiming a study room
spending a weekend of getting lost and living in the forest
going out to the middle of nowhere to clean up the environment
getting to know each and every one of my new friends
Every day, we spend so much time thinking about what should have been done or what could have happened. We forget to think about what actually did happen and how much we have grown or experienced from it. I let myself be guided by clouded visions of "what ifs" that I forgot to see what I have always seen from the beginning: an amazing club with awesome potential.
I wasn't ready to lead before. I had no clear vision of the future I would be leading us to. Now I do. It's a new year and we all deserve fresh starts. Let's end this one not by thinking about what could have been, but what has and what will be. I am ready to lead once again, and I hope that you will be willing to help me.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
To the new members of UNLV CKI:
In the animal kingdom, there are packs, herds, schools, prides, flocks, colonies...all kinds of groupings for the different species out there.
In CKI we have a family.
In my lifetime, I have been, for the most part, a lone wolf. I was content playing video games without a player two, I didn't join any clubs, and didn't really need a study buddy or anything. Ever since being exposed to CKI, all that has changed.
I was once a freshman member like you - fresh into college, low motivation, high apathy for the things around me. I was kinda forced into my first CKI event by my friend, Calvin Luo. It was there I met Nathan Viloria, the president at the time, and he welcomed me into the club.
Now all of that is history. I had the best time getting to know new people, reaching out to my community, learning fun new games and cheers, being a part of videos, going out to Cali for the first time without my parents, and doing things I never thought I would have done alone. For once in college, I felt like I belonged and it could never have been with a better bunch of people.
It felt like being in a family.
It is with these memories that I ran for president, hoping to create the opportunity for you to experience what I had and much more.
Now you are being installed. The past 2 and a half months have been a crazy ride - just about as crazy as my first year - and I hope you loved every bit of it as much as I did. It was a pleasure getting to know all of you at our projects, during and after meetings, and on the loooong ride to our Cali adventures. I am damn proud of all that you have accomplished as part of the club and welcome you to the next level of your experience.
In CKI, we are a family. I'll admit, it feels weird when I have to be a president and all and tell volunteer coordinators "I have some members coming along," because what I really want to say is "I have my friends coming too". I love each and every one of you, and I can see the potential that you all have. I know you will do great things, whether it be with us or out in the world on your own path, but I can say that tonight I am damn proud to make you officially one of us.
We are a family. We support each other through the good times and the bad. I hope you can count on us when you need a helping hand just as much as you know we will be there to share in the good times. Don't be afraid to step out of your shell, try out new things, live and learn. You will always have the support of your new family, after all.
"...dedicate ourselves to the realization of mankind's potential." It's the line we scream out the loudest in the pledge. You are a member of UNLV Circle K, now. It's your time to shine. It's your time to be the best. I already know you will do great.
Welcome to the family!
In CKI we have a family.
In my lifetime, I have been, for the most part, a lone wolf. I was content playing video games without a player two, I didn't join any clubs, and didn't really need a study buddy or anything. Ever since being exposed to CKI, all that has changed.
I was once a freshman member like you - fresh into college, low motivation, high apathy for the things around me. I was kinda forced into my first CKI event by my friend, Calvin Luo. It was there I met Nathan Viloria, the president at the time, and he welcomed me into the club.
Now all of that is history. I had the best time getting to know new people, reaching out to my community, learning fun new games and cheers, being a part of videos, going out to Cali for the first time without my parents, and doing things I never thought I would have done alone. For once in college, I felt like I belonged and it could never have been with a better bunch of people.
It felt like being in a family.
It is with these memories that I ran for president, hoping to create the opportunity for you to experience what I had and much more.
Now you are being installed. The past 2 and a half months have been a crazy ride - just about as crazy as my first year - and I hope you loved every bit of it as much as I did. It was a pleasure getting to know all of you at our projects, during and after meetings, and on the loooong ride to our Cali adventures. I am damn proud of all that you have accomplished as part of the club and welcome you to the next level of your experience.
In CKI, we are a family. I'll admit, it feels weird when I have to be a president and all and tell volunteer coordinators "I have some members coming along," because what I really want to say is "I have my friends coming too". I love each and every one of you, and I can see the potential that you all have. I know you will do great things, whether it be with us or out in the world on your own path, but I can say that tonight I am damn proud to make you officially one of us.
We are a family. We support each other through the good times and the bad. I hope you can count on us when you need a helping hand just as much as you know we will be there to share in the good times. Don't be afraid to step out of your shell, try out new things, live and learn. You will always have the support of your new family, after all.
"...dedicate ourselves to the realization of mankind's potential." It's the line we scream out the loudest in the pledge. You are a member of UNLV Circle K, now. It's your time to shine. It's your time to be the best. I already know you will do great.
Welcome to the family!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The President Position
Hello visitors, curious minds, and bored people. My name is Ryan, and I am the current President of UNLV Circle K International. I have decided that I would like to start documenting some important, or at least what I deem to be important, information using this blogger. Do I have time? Yes. Should I be using it for something else? Yes. Is that something else homework? Yes. However, this is what I deem important and I would like to share it with you.
What is the role of President in Circle K?
This is quite a difficult question. You will spend a weekend with other presidents in the middle of nowhere trying to figure that out. You will attend numerous workshops and have many people tell you different things. You will spend your entire year as president trying to figure it out, and, when you have finally gotten things straight, you are retired and the new president steps in. I, however, will sum it up for you like this.
A president is the club bitch.
Done.
That's it. Plain and simple.
Why do I put it this way? Well, this stems from the NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CIRCLE K. Are you listening? It's in caps for a reason. OK.
The NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CIRCLE K IS THE....
...members.
It is the member. No, it is not service. It is not fellowship. It is not leadership. The member is what keeps the club alive. It is the member that defines the character of a club. It is the member that chooses how awesome the club will be by choosing how dedicated and committed they are to the club.
So how does this relate to the club president being the club bitch? Well, the president is there to make sure that the members are happy. As president, you make sure that the club is happy and is accomplishing its goals. Therefore, you are making sure the MEMBERS are happy and accomplishing their goals.
You exist to serve. Live to serve, love to serve. The title of president is responsibility. You are accountable for all the crap that your club suffers, but it is the members who get the credit for the accomplishments.
The upside down pyramid. In normal hierarchies, the top of the pyramid is supported by all the subordinates and followers. In this club, the top (the president) is actually the one that supports everyone else. They are in charge of their officers who are in turn in charge of their chairs who are in charge of their committees who are in charge of the regular dedicated members. Ultimately, the president is on the bottom making sure the pyramid is balanced and supported and, following the properties of gravity, if shit happens, it falls on the president's accountability.
It is tough being president, and I know that this year has had its ups and downs. I am not saying it is glamorous or miserable, but it is a lot to take on. I am damn proud of this club and hope for only better goals and hold higher expectations for next year and the generations to come.
As President, I hope that you, the member, are having the time of your college life, are really enjoying yourself, have found a home and new family in this club. I hope you are experiencing a new side of life through community service, are expressing your individuality and exploring new horizons through our leadership opportunities and chances to break out of your comfort bubble, and ultimately, I hope that you are having fun making new friends and creating lasting and supportive relationships with some interesting and diverse individuals.
If I have done this, and you can say that you are happy at this point, then I am being a good President. I will continue to do all I can to make this the best college experience you have ever had. I know there is not much time left to my term, but I will do my best. I love this club and you know that really means I love you.
~Ryan
What is the role of President in Circle K?
This is quite a difficult question. You will spend a weekend with other presidents in the middle of nowhere trying to figure that out. You will attend numerous workshops and have many people tell you different things. You will spend your entire year as president trying to figure it out, and, when you have finally gotten things straight, you are retired and the new president steps in. I, however, will sum it up for you like this.
A president is the club bitch.
Done.
That's it. Plain and simple.
Why do I put it this way? Well, this stems from the NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CIRCLE K. Are you listening? It's in caps for a reason. OK.
The NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CIRCLE K IS THE....
...members.
It is the member. No, it is not service. It is not fellowship. It is not leadership. The member is what keeps the club alive. It is the member that defines the character of a club. It is the member that chooses how awesome the club will be by choosing how dedicated and committed they are to the club.
So how does this relate to the club president being the club bitch? Well, the president is there to make sure that the members are happy. As president, you make sure that the club is happy and is accomplishing its goals. Therefore, you are making sure the MEMBERS are happy and accomplishing their goals.
You exist to serve. Live to serve, love to serve. The title of president is responsibility. You are accountable for all the crap that your club suffers, but it is the members who get the credit for the accomplishments.
The upside down pyramid. In normal hierarchies, the top of the pyramid is supported by all the subordinates and followers. In this club, the top (the president) is actually the one that supports everyone else. They are in charge of their officers who are in turn in charge of their chairs who are in charge of their committees who are in charge of the regular dedicated members. Ultimately, the president is on the bottom making sure the pyramid is balanced and supported and, following the properties of gravity, if shit happens, it falls on the president's accountability.
It is tough being president, and I know that this year has had its ups and downs. I am not saying it is glamorous or miserable, but it is a lot to take on. I am damn proud of this club and hope for only better goals and hold higher expectations for next year and the generations to come.
As President, I hope that you, the member, are having the time of your college life, are really enjoying yourself, have found a home and new family in this club. I hope you are experiencing a new side of life through community service, are expressing your individuality and exploring new horizons through our leadership opportunities and chances to break out of your comfort bubble, and ultimately, I hope that you are having fun making new friends and creating lasting and supportive relationships with some interesting and diverse individuals.
If I have done this, and you can say that you are happy at this point, then I am being a good President. I will continue to do all I can to make this the best college experience you have ever had. I know there is not much time left to my term, but I will do my best. I love this club and you know that really means I love you.
~Ryan
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