#saacurh

From NRHH to RBD, NACURH has its very own language that people don’t seem to understand. The ABCs of NACURH can be complicated and hard to maneuver, especially if you are thrown in head first. For me, my first “real” conference was the annual NACURH conference, which is a conference of roughly 2500 people from six different countries that descend upon a college campus to learn, network, and hopefully bring back ideas to make residential housing on their own campus better. The one thing that the description is lacking is the insane amount of cheering, excitement and all around good times that are to be had.

I can honestly say that looking back at that first conference that I would not be the Regional Director for the largest region in NACURH, nor that I would find myself changing what I thought were such set in stone plans for my future. But alas, like all things that are supposedly set in stone, my plans changed... Drastically. I went from being an early entry pharmacy student to a person with a passion for this organization, for higher education, and for student affairs. All of these have combined into this crazy, interesting, exciting path that I have found myself wielding the gavel of the South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls. 

I'm basically in a college leadership organization that has e-board members at the state, regional, and national levels. NACURH and its affiliates are a whole other world that I didn't know existed but I am so glad I discovered. I can't express how much love I have for my state, the region, and this national organization! 

Well, all the e-board positions are up for grabs every year on the state, regional, and national levels. I'm currently a member of the spirit committee on the regional level. I'm making this video for the national conference that represents my region and a thought just occurred to me. 

A lot of people have asked me if I have plans to move up the ladder at these conferences, especially because my best friend is currently the AD (basically VP) on the state level. I'm not a very politically-oriented person and a lot of these "moving up the ladder in positions because it looks good" are what a lot of people assume these positions are about. Plus I am also very happy as NCC and I enjoy my position and being a part of the process in choosing the people who will serve our organization well. 

But I just realized my passion lies in the spirit committee for the region. I look forward to those bi-weekly spirit meetings so much! And today I realized I wish I had the power to engage other NCC's in committees and get them excited and make them realize there's SO much of this region that we should be proud of.

I know people will question why I didn't run for the spirit-oriented leadership position first (remember the ladder?) And I honestly can't explain why I don't want to. My love lies in the region. I feel like FARH (the state level) is like a little family. I love my state too, don't get me wrong! I am just so much more passionate about the regional level and I know it fits my passion perfectly--I don't want to wait a year! 

I want to be in charge of spirit for my region next year. The region is where my passion for spirit lies. I'm SO excited. To think I have a chance to actually have the power to make a difference? I'm not really concerned with the title really. I feel like I can't make much of a difference now because I don't have the "authority" to. I want to show NCC's that they can contribute SO MUCH to such a great organization that stands for great things. I want to show them they don't need a leadership title to make a difference.

I know it's going to be tough because people are very critical because you need "state qualifications" first but I hope people think I'm genuine and actually want engage people.