Thank You

UNLVCKI,

It has been a pleasure contacting you with this e-mail. However, it is time that the ability be passed on to someone who truly embodies what we believe in and strive for as Circle K'ers. I have enjoyed every moment serving you as President, and I would be happy to do it again if I knew that I could do a better job, but I can't. I did my best and I hope that, under my term, you have had a chance to experience a great year and grow and develop as good individuals....good Circle K'ers. I will miss interacting with you as a President, but I have only high expectations for the future.

You have all made me very proud. I used to think that this club could not function without my guidance. However, like a parent who is watching their child go away to college and walk their own road, I have spent the last few months witnessing what could only be the best club I have ever been a part of spread its wings and soar off into new heights of service, fellowship, and leadership. I wish I could take credit for all of your accomplishments, but the truth is, I did nothing but watch you grow. I see a great group of leaders, passionate in their mission to serve, and sharing bonds that make best of friends envious.

The next time you receive an e-mail from this account, it will be from my successor, Kevin Goble. He is one that I have known for many years, and served with him on countless projects. He will lead you into a new direction and a new era. This club will flourish like I have never seen before because I truly believe that Kevin Goble and his board are very capable and knowledgeable individuals. Please give them every bit of support, because they can only open the door for the club, provide the opportunity. It is up to you, the member, to step through that door into the bright future.

It is in you, proud Circle K member, that I put my faith and hopes in the club. It is you that our values and foundations are built upon. I would not wish for any other club than this, and I know that you will bring your enthusiasm, your energy and spirit, your ideas and passion, your love into this club and transform it into a whole new epic year.

There is nothing more that I could say except that I love this club: the values, the opportunity, the potential, and most of all, the people - YOU!!

Thank you, for making this year the most memorable and life-changing experience. You have no idea what an amazing impact you have had. Keep being awesome, UNLVCKI!

"LIVE TO SERVE, LOVE TO SERVE"

Ryan Max Ocampo
Past Club President 2010-2011
UNLV Circle K International
unlvcki.blogspot.com
(702) 577-7628

Elections

I watched my caucus video for President last year. It feels like I just gave it yesterday. It was depressing. I wanted to hit that idiot speaking about CKI. I shoulda tucked my shirt in.

I realized something. Fuck...I lost my vision...somewhere along the way.

"to create a unified and self motivated organization
educated on the values, objects, and tenets of Circle K International
and dedicated to service on this campus and world-wide community"

And my goals were:

-establish better communication
-build stronger relationships
-have better organized events
-increase spirit
-create a safe learning environment
-help development and growth in CKI values

I am evaluating myself....a year after the fact. I don't think I did as well as I expected...but I sure as hell tried. I wouldn't change these goals. In fact, I wouldn't mind a second shot.

Shit, everytime I meet someone new, it's new potential. Everytime I make contact with a new organization, it's new opportunity. I love the power of involvement fair and the ability it has to motivate and energize me. I feel like I am ready for the challenges of this year. I just hope my body can keep up...

I love the people around me. I can't express how much you matter. I wish I could be in so many places at once, so I can spend time with you and show you that you matter to me...

...you are the ones that keep me going.

Sick

So I'm sick...along with tons of other people out there. Sadly, a bunch of my friends are sick too. Please, everyone, let's get better soon! Drink lots of OJ and H2O, get rest, and stay warm! My strategy to beat this is to piss, sweat, and sleep this sickness away.

When we are helping others, we kinda forget to help ourselves. We can't help others who are sick if we are sick too. This applies to grades. Take care of your degree. My biggest fear is that I will become one of the individuals receiving aid from the organizations I am currently supporting. That would be a sick irony. I will make sure that I can support myself before I can give back.

I really...really need to study.

Also, I realize that I've been missing posts and not keeping up with my resolution. I apologize. Getting sick kinda messes with my mind. I will get back on it ASAP. Tomorrow is a new day, and I WILL GET BETTER!

Vision

[1/05/11]

What is your image of CKI?

Let me first explain how I got to this question. I am not that good of a leader. I mean, I'm the type of guy that needs some kind of ignition or spark to get my actions going. A small achievement or a little bit of energy from someone else that gives a crap is usually what sets me off. For instance, I was hanging out with a girl I barely knew, and we were chatting about all the amazing things this club could accomplish. I was so motivated to do so much immediately after...but then it died. It's contradictory to how I should be leading - with initiative - but this is not my personality style and is a characteristic challenge I am working on. It certainly has gotten better than when I once was.

But anyways, I haven't been thinking too in depth about CKI lately. Well, I've been thinking about it everyday, but not as severely as this. I have come to realize much...such as the leadership style I just related to you. But this simple question sparked so much for me.

As a leader, I'm supposed to provide a vision, a common goal, a dream that we can all relate to and work to accomplish under my term. I don't know if I ever described it that well or even knew what it was myself. If I did, then I have forgotten...and that's something that visions should never be: forgotten.

When I see CKI, I see a bunch of regular college kids with an extraordinary commonality - a love for service. But that's only just the beginning. I see enthused, excited, energized individuals who give it their all at what they do because they love it so much. This burning passion is what allows them to break their comfort bubbles and step into areas unknown. I see brave and unique individuals who participate and really exemplify what CKI is.

Way back when, my board - a couple of good friends, came up with a vision for the club:

"to lend a helping hand
with open hearts
to the people and community we love
to the furthest
and even beyond
the extent of our abilities"

In short, we give a shit...alot...and we show it. We love our community. We love our friends. We love this club.

Yes, vague....I know....

[2/3/11 - revisit]

I don't know what else I can say. We love to love. This is what I envision of our club. That we put our all into showing how much we love one another.

Decisions

It's January 4th. Four days into the new year. Most people have already made their resolutions and set their goals. I made mine...it's to make this blog. You know what that means? I made a resolution to write so I can find my resolutions.

Basically, as it stands, I have no idea what I'm doing. Yes, I'm going to finish my term as President strong. And yes, I intend to pick up my grades and start learning to be more self sufficient....but where to begin?

Shit. I don't even have my classes set up. I guess it's because I still don't know where I want to go with CKI.

My term is almost up. Looking back at my caucus speech and all the promises I made...I really didn't get to do much of it. Sure, we accomplished so much and I am damn proud of this club but at the same time....

Am I done? Will I fade away like so many past leaders this club has had in the past?I've learned a valuable lesson when it comes to CKI. This club will be there for you if you need it. For those who have already gotten what they can out of the club - the service and need to help others, the chance to develop and grow as a leader, and an opportunity to meet and grow relationships with great many people - once that is all done and they can do no more with the club...they move on.

I don't know if it's my time to move on. A great part of me is saying, "look, you didn't do everything that you could have done. There is so much left for you to do and accomplish. This club still needs you and you still need it." At the same time, another part of me is saying, "you've had your shot. Now it's time to try a different avenue, a different approach. Stop focusing your time and effort in this and move on to something else."

It's weird. I used to think that all those who have left before me lost their passion and love for this club. It's not true. They just have moved on. The love is still there but the time is past. I just don't know if it's my time yet.

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't fill out my schedule for next year because I was lazy. No. It's because I don't know where to put my time and energy. I already know many of my friends and all of my family want to see me out of CKI. That in itself is motivation for me to stay, actually, as a show of defiance and dedication to this honorable club. However, I do feel that I have become distant...

When I commit myself, I fuckin do it. I just haven't decided yet. Time is running out.

I don't know if anybody reads this, but if you could please help me out, just talk to me. Please.

Epiphany

So I'm not gonna lie or try to hide it. I'm pretty religious. I know, I should keep this club neutral and all, but I can't help it if I am motivated at least in part by my values and faith system. I'm not trying to preach or convert anyone. I just want to recall something that I was thinking while practicing my faith. So if the word "God" offends you or turns on your warning alarm, I apologize.

I was sitting in church listening to the gospel about the epiphany of Jesus Christ. The priest had a joke to start off his rant:

"In a quiet village, there was a lonely religious man living in a home. One day, there was a terrible flood, and the villagers were urged to evacuate. When the police arrived at this man's door offering help, he replied, "it's OK. My God will save me." The flood raged on and the man was forced to his second floor. There, firefighters on a raft offered to save him, but he replied again, "it's ok. My God will save me." On went the storm, and the man fled to the roof. There, he saw a helicopter hovering above and rescue teams sending ropes to help him. One more time, the man refused saying, "it's OK. My God will save me."

He drowned.

In heaven, he got a chance to confront God. "Why didn't you come and save me??"

God said in return with a bit of frustration, "I sent you the police, firefighters, and even a helicopter!"

___________

Funny joke. It got the whole church chuckling. I understood though. If you've ever watched the "Almighty" movies (Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty), this makes even more sense.

Every day, I have the opportunity to be a miracle to someone else. I make my life a challenge to be a source of positive change in the lives of those around me. I was happy hearing this joke in church. This is how I live my faith...by living my life the best that I can for myself and for others.

Why am I motivated to do the things I do? Not only is it in accordance to my religious beliefs, the way my parents raised me, and just being a good kid in today's society, but makes me feel hella good. This is one thing I am proud of: that I can be a difference.

There is no real proof that God exists. However, through my actions and deeds I can embody him. I'll be living proof.

Resolution

1/1/11

Welcome to the year 2011. It's been a rough journey getting here, and the story that has been left is much to long to recount, but no doubt chock full of memories and important lessons. We are finally here.

To tell the truth, I'm not ready. Yea yea, fresh start and all, but I haven't really gotten to the point where I can just put the past away and focus on the future,

Mistake. A leader is always forward looking. Whether you are leading from the front, back, or side, you must always keep a steadfast eye on the future, t know where your destination lies, and to stay vigilant of the new challenges that approach.

This is what I will do. I have two resolutions that I will follow this year. I will do my best, but nobody is perfect. They are:

1. Look to the future. I will strive to keep my head forward. Not down in shame or defeat. Not up in lofty and grand visions or dreaming vicariously of other lives. Not to the side trying to be like those around me and not back always thinking about things in hindsight. I will strive too keep that forward view and be the leader I set out to be so long ago.

2. I will strive to document and log my thoughts and ideas in a daily blog. Yes, I will write every day. My communication is horrible. E-mails, ironically, are so formal and need to be proof-read and structured and clear...and nobody reads them anyways right? If I cannot reach the masses via e-mail, facebook, twitter, etc....I will leave my thoughts here, for the random passerby or curious member. No, it's not being active in gathering listeners, but I have come to terms that I am introverted and that I much prefer the ability of blogs to allow me to write without fear of judgment or being imposing on readers. This is simple, suits my style, and will keep me on track. Yes, this is for me and for all those who choose to read what I have to say. If I'm going to have something to say, I need to get it out somewhere and not just let it rot and fester in my mind.

This is i. 2011. I will never forget 010 and I don't want to. I will keep it there and learn from it, and make 2011 better and more productive. That is what I am resolved to do.

Now to get on adjusting to writing "/11" at the end of all my dates. Happy New Year Everyone!