Conquering Roles, Conquering Fears

It's still clear on my mind how I was preparing for two events at the same time.  I remembered how I adjust my sleeping patterns, my acads workload, and the meetings for each event just to meet my responsibilities in both organizing teams.

Both of the projects started the planning phase at the same time (some time around late May).  These two events are the AIESEC Philippines' Experience Conference (XPCon) and Ateneo MISA's First General Assembly (1st GA).  I was the OCVP for Public Relations for the XPCon and the Project Director of the 1st GA.

*WARNING*
This is a really long post due to photos attached. This post consists of my own thoughts about the topic.

Elections...

Hi there! How are you all doing? :D

This is the time when almost all organizations and councils in our university are doing their elections for the next term's Executive Board.  And obviously, I am one of the people running for a position in my home organization, the Ateneo Management Information Systems Association (Ateneo MISA -  http://misa.org.ph).

It has been a struggle for me to choose what path to take.  I have been into a lot of options and fall back in case one fails.  But one thing is for sure, I have a chance to take tour on these paths.

First, running as the Vice President of Finance and Marketing in Ateneo MISA.  As you can see around 12MN of February 6, I have been changing my display picture and my timeline cover in Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/gabriellorenzosantos) As refered to my previous post, this is the cluster where I came from and I am now planning to be the head of this cluster.  It took me a lot of time to think of pursuing this path since I am evaluating my capabilities as the leader of this cluster, and also the welfare of the cluster if ever I win the elections.  (My platform? To follow on the next days :D )

If I failed my first choice, I proceed my second choice, to apply for Junior Term Abroad (JTA).  It was my close friend and block mate, Joan Magno, that inspired me to aim for higher once I didn't win the MISA EB Elections.  Even my dad is positive about this that he referred me to our relatives in San Francisco for me to ask whether I can stay for 5 months there to study in University of San Francisco for a term. Although this has a low probability, it is not bad to aim for higher! ;)

Those are only two of my options.  It would be great if you come and talk to me personally on my plans, whether about MISA, JTA, or other stuff.

Think Gains.Growth.Gabo for VP for Finance & Marketing! ;)

Comments? :D

My Niche

Hello everyone! What's up with you guys?

So yesterday (January 11) was really a hell day for me. I had appointments, including classes, from 10:30 AM up to 6PM.  Seriously, no breaks at all.

Thanks Den for having the individual consultation at caf! :D

So the title goes "My Niche." It describes my exploration for this week, discovering my real niche in my organization, MISA.

Executive board elections are coming and I'm planning to run for one of the vice presidents of the organization.  However, I really cannot find which position I should run.  I'll relay them here:

1.) Vice President for Finance & Marketing

Context: Basically, Finance & Marketing (F&M) cluster is the one manages all money inflows from sponsorships and fundraisers.  Currently, I am the Associate Vice President for Financial Development under this cluster. I oversee the fund raising activities of MISA.  As of this year, we have implemented three: MISA Shirts (Wave 1) during the COA Recruitment Week, MISA Raffle and Shirt Design Contest (MISA Shirt Wave 2) are currently ongoing.

Reason for choosing the position:  I know the internal operations of the cluster so I assure that I can manage the cluster.  It won't be difficult since I came from the cluster itself.  I also want to increase the fundraising state of the organization, since sponsorships have been good this year.  I also want to provide the members intensive training

Apprehensions on running: I know I can do the job, but I'm thinking that the other person running for the position is more capable than me.  He/She knows more on sponsorships and I think he/she won't do bad on overseeing the fundraisers since it's more on project management.  I don't want to stop the good trend our current vice president has started.

2.) Treasurer
Context: The Office of the Treasury, in contrast to the F&M Cluster, manages the money outflows to keep the organization's operations going.

Reason for choosing the position: Since summer, the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo has been giving trainings to organizations for the presidents, HR, Finance, and Projects.  Their training for finance is a mix of budgeting, risk management, meeting financial operations of the school, and fundraising.  I've been learning these stuff from trainings and even from other organizations.

Apprehensions on running: I really don't have intensive experience with managing money outflows.  I have one but it's not too serious.

3.) Vice President for Communications
Context: The Communications cluster takes care of the brand of MISA to internal and external stakeholders (except company partners) and manages the information dissemination within the organization.

Reason for choosing the position: I have been in the communications field in different organizations.  In AIESEC AdMU, I am under the Communications Department, which takes charge on brand management, information management, and public relations.  In my other organizations such as Alay Ni Ignacio and Sector Based Cluster Core Team, I do promotions that might fit in the event nature and target audience.  I have a wide network which I think would be very helpful in fulfilling this job.

Apprehensions on running: I have never been under Communications cluster of MISA, although I've learned common Communications processes from other organizations.  Also, I do not worry the thing that I do not have an idea of processes in the cluster since the current vice president won't be graduating yet so I have someone to consult to.

What do you think? Comments? :D