I remember exactly 338 days ago, I was like you students,
welcoming the school year with mixed emotions; excited to see my friends again,
seeing new faces and pinpointing new crushes, heartthrobs and head turners,
also scared of what lies ahead in my new subject but most especially, I am
happy because again, I have an allowance in my pocket to blew away.
I was just exactly like you guys, only that I was at the
same time the Riverside Student Government President. Now so what if I was the
president before? What relevance does it brings to Riverside College? Well if I
must say, being a President affects the triangle of connection a leader must
maintain
The first edge of the triangle is the teachers and
administrators. RSG, you must be the mediator or the means of communication
between them and the students. You advocate yourselves to the students so what
they deservingly want and your privileged rights would be known to the
authority here in the campus, thus proper action could be negotiated. For
example, If you want to have a weeklong celebration of the Literary Musical and
Sportsfest, I believe Mrs. Streegan is a very good listener. On the other hand,
you are also the means of influence by acting out as good role models to the
students so what the administrators have envisioned for the students will be
materialized.
The second part of the triangle that the president and her
team must maintain good connection with is with the students. Apathy among
students is not the root cause why activities have poor satisfaction
evaluation. According to our President Samuel Lee, when he once sat with us in
a meeting, he said, “make your activities relevant”; and when we say relevant
it must be of the students’ interest made creative and weird that they would
come running curious why of all the ticks in a clock the activity would start
at 9:46am? However, make sure when you say it’s 9:46am we are starting, it
should really is. Remember, first impression last. And also do everything in a
timely manner, because the secret to an event’s success is preparation.
To complete the triangle is the community. A leader must
always think out of the box that she gets bored inside her comfort zone. She
must spread her wings wider so she would learn more; influence and inspire and
help more people and eventually herself. I remember my first ever reason why I
joined the Council four years ago, it was because I was bored inside the
classroom. As I expose myself to public service, I learned that there is
nothing more sacrificial than to dwell myself in a student government for
myself, my country and my God; that at the end of the day, through RSG I am a
better person, I have helped my fellow and I have served my God.
All of us have different reasons why we are here. More than
anything else as a leader, I believe, I have seen reality in my visions through
my colleagues for RSG; that beyond the four corners of a classroom, the student
government is an avenue in preparing students for the real world after
graduation. More than the practical privileges of being a student leader, it is
the twisting experiences turned to unforgettable memories that later become a
foundation of friendship among officers and the people they serve. Perhaps,
amidst the diversity of reasons we had back then why we joined RSG, FOR
PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH SERVICE, that was our common goal, our common belief,
our strong inspiration to continue our passion to be the best for the students,
for our school and for ourselves. -- C
