With AIESEC Laurier’s Presidential Elections happening in just this evening, I figured this would be a good time to reflect on an intense learning curve known as being a Local Committee President.
A year and a few days ago, it was me who was up in front of the Local Committee telling them my belief of what AIESEC can be. The weeks leading up to the Elections was an emotional roller coaster. One day, I would be set on running and many other days, questions would just create doubt. After being away from the country for a whole year, how will new members react? Am I who AIESEC Laurier needs? Do I have the right people that can become VPs to manage seven or eight departments? Is it worth staying back in school another eight months to see this vision through?
All of these questions constantly haunted me during the days and kept me up at night and it really didn’t stop until a good friend of mine said, “If you were not going into this role scared sh*tless, then you are not the right person for it”. That’s when I realized that the doubt was just me being uncomfortable with the new responsibilities.
Looking back at myself a year ago, I can barely recognize who I was then. The only part that is still the same is my physical appearance.
Throughout the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to do many things besides constant fire-fighting. I had the opportunity to select my Executive Team, come up with our year plan and recruit fifty new youth leaders to help us reach our goal: facilitating leadership development through international exchange. With the team collectively putting in at least 250 hours a week, we send abroad 2x more people year over year. Moreover, we have created relationships with fifty more companies and have created partnerships with a handful of them – including Google, Maplesoft, and Communitech. I have personally presented to many senior managers and have aligned long term strategies to become mutually beneficial for both parties. Leaders of all ages and levels have seen me as an equal individual: a globally-minded youth leader.
Best of luck to all three candidates – Faiq Shad, Gunjan Marwah, and Shinjni Sharma. Although only one person can become that President, I can ensure you that results and experiences can only be created with people who together want to see it succeed.
To all those who wish to watch the Elections virtually, please stay tuned to our Twitter for the link available later today. The Elections will be live from 7-10. Please note that there will be absolutely no live tweets during the Elections.
Here are some words I wrote at the beginning of this term – soon after this picture was taken:
As the blindfolds went on and the doors were open, the whole body becomes completely sensitive trying to find hints of what will happen. Feeling the change of surface, I knew it was about to begin.
The chant started. The chant I’ve heard dozens of times in Canada a year before. However, this time around, everything sounded much more foreign. But the moment the word “hey” was heard, I closed me eyes, thought to myself that this will always be a memory regardless of the result. Then it happened.Thank you everyone who’s supported and inspired me since day one. For those who had to deal with me over the last month – I sincerely thank you for all the emotional roller coaster that you had to deal with. To AIESEC Laurier – thank you for supporting my goal. Our journey has only begun but know that you have already changed a person’s life.
The chant started. The chant I’ve heard dozens of times in Canada a year before. However, this time around, everything sounded much more foreign. But the moment the word “hey” was heard, I closed me eyes, thought to myself that this will always be a memory regardless of the result. Then it happened.Thank you everyone who’s supported and inspired me since day one. For those who had to deal with me over the last month – I sincerely thank you for all the emotional roller coaster that you had to deal with. To AIESEC Laurier – thank you for supporting my goal. Our journey has only begun but know that you have already changed a person’s life.
Guest Blogger: Chungsoon Haw, Local Committee President
AIESEC Laurier 