Welcome To A Great Opportunity

Dear Newly Elected Freshman Class Council Member:

I want to congratulate you on your recent election victory.  I know you put forth a lot of effort in your campaign, the results of which show the strong trust your fellow classmates have put in you.  As you begin the process of fulfilling the responsibilities of your position, I would like to offer some things for you to consider:

• Get To Know Your Council.
  Some of you were building friendships prior to this election, some of you are meeting for the first time.  Part of your effectiveness this year will be found in your ability to work together as a team. Teams are developed for a variety of reasons, but they only stay together and produce quality results when they learn to trust each other, understand each other, and work for the success of each other.

• Find Ways To Get Others Involved.
  I realize that you ran for this position to be involved yourself.  But I'm encouraging you to take the next step...the step of leadership.  You've already seen that there are others beside yourself that want to get involved.  Now your in a position to involve them.  Don't feel like you have to do your position all by yourself...give others a chance to use their gifts and abilities.  If you do it all yourself, you're merely a student worker.  But if you involve others and give them direction, you become a student leader!

• Figure Out The Systems That Are In Place.
  Now it's time to figure out how your organization works.  How do you get money?  Request money?  Spend money?  Find out who your advisor is and start asking questions.  Talk to those who served on the Freshman Council last year.  Find out how to reserve a room on campus or an event on the calendar.

• Prioritize And Work Toward Balance.
  Remember, you're a student first.  I've discovered that the key to longevity in school is to pass all of your classes (of course, you could fail all your classes and still have to stick around for a long time...but that costs more).  With added responsibilities comes the added necessity of prioritizing your time and your tasks.  Make sure you do what's most important, not necessarily what's most urgent all the time (or necessarily the most fun).

• Speaking Of Fun.
  This is a great opportunity that you've been given.  Enjoy it.  Learn as much as you can.  Have a blast discovering your gifts and using them for the benefit of others.  Take time to stop and reflect on all that you're doing.  Take lots of pictures (I love digital cameras).  Make some cool memories.  Think about all the things that you'd like to say about this year next summer and work toward that.

Once again, I congratulate you and am hoping for your continued success.

Comments

[Tony Napier]

The task of leadership is an amazing one. One filled of fun, work, companionship, and of course, rewards. We as a Freshman Class Council have to make the best of the few months that we have the opportunity to affect our daily lives. As Tim said our peers did choose us, it is us whom they put their trust in, and it is ultimately our class who we have to please. I challenge all of you to put your personal feelings aside and listen to what your class wants. Not only to listen but to also act. We have an amazing year ahead of us, with the Lord by our side we shall make the best of it. Congratulations to all of you and I look forward to getting to know you all a bit more.

In Him,
Tony Napier
Freshman Class President

[Lacey Smith]

Hey! i am so exited to get started! I really really am! I really liked what you said about priorities too though, about school work first, and managing our time wisely, i think it is something we are all going to have to do in order to make this work! thanks for that as well! LAcey*

[Joseph]

I believe that this year will be amazing. God has planned many oppertunities in store for us, and we just need to access his plans!

[Sarah Elwell]

Hey-
I'm really really excite for this year. I know that us freshman class council will do an amazing job :)