The transition from pledging to executive board

Transition isn’t always the easiest, but like all things, it’s all about making the most out of it. Moving from the pledge process into an executive board position is an honor and a challenge all within itself. When pledging, a great motivator that fires up passion is thinking about ways you would like to give back. During the pledge process a metaphoric wall is set between the pledges and the actives. It serves as a stance for achievement, more like a goal to work towards. The question then begins to arise through the process. How do I break down this wall? Passion. Passion is the powerful wrecking ball that motivates you to push through to the other side. While passion is a major key, it doesn’t stop there. Once you achieve that goal it’s all about what you do next. There are many ways to become an “active” member in an organization. One of them is taking on an executive position. Now you’ve proved to your brothers that you are a perfect fit in the culture. Now it’s up to you to embrace it. To be a leader, you don’t have to hold a leadership position, but with taking on a leadership role, you must fulfill those duties. Breaking down the wall and making the switch is a transition that requires that same passion, motivation, and effort you had in getting to where you are now. You’re entitled to your opinion but must be mindful of others, you will make decisions not only for yourself but for the ones around you, and will not only grow as an individual but you’ll grow as a whole, together. Taking on a leadership position is the first of many steps to becoming an active member. It’s the wall you work hard to tear down only to help reconstruct. Why reconstruct a wall that you worked so hard to tear down? It’s all about the passion. It’s more than the wall. It’s about the passion on breaking down that wall. It’s about the road less traveled to reach that goal. Creating your own path and leading by example. In the end, it’s about helping others reach the wall to later giving them something of their own to create.  

By Nick Lesley, V.P. of Internal Affairs