Making a stand as Projects Directors

Yesterday, I wrote an open letter to the Projects Directors who attended the training session on Saturday.

For them, sitting through every single critique session wasn't easy, especially when their plans were in the lines of the 'firing squad'. I appreciate their willingness to be open to criticism and learning, which forms the very basis of the Projects support network which can only grow if there is a culture of open learning.

At Saturday's session, I saw determination and tenacity in the eyes of the attendees. And my love for them and this wonderful organisation leap-frogged my lingering skepticism of my role, and the future of AIESEC Singapore.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Hi guys,

Thank you for sharing your plans with us on Saturday and contributing to the critique of your peers’ projects. Hope you all picked up new ideas and insights from each session.

Grace and I talked yesterday. We are simply amazed by all your plans and hopes for your project, and if you’re able to achieve all your targets, the net impact on AIESEC Singapore will be tremendous. AIESEC Singapore has come a long way from the past, even from last year. As an organization, we are growing. We both feel it and I hope you do feel it too.

Personally, as a projects leader in 2007\08, I never had anyone to turn to for help, no mentors to provide guidance, nor an idea of what a Pbox is (and how to design and execute one), or the luxury of having a critique session like Saturday’s. Those were the days when projects weren’t given much of a priority, when we practically didn’t have to report to anyone (because few people really cared), and had to scrimp and scrap every possible contact beyond the organization for funding and expertise.

If you think you are all alone and underappreciated now, think about how we would have felt then.

The role of a Projects Director even today is demanding. Very demanding.

Not only do you have to juggle project management and sales, you also have to manage a huge team, be responsible for member retention in your team, initiate partnerships and keep them happy, know something about marketing and PR, answer to the top (MC) and bottem (members), plus a whole lot of other factors that makes starting a new business look like child’s play. As a Projects Director, you are also forced (not asked!) to become a friend, a team worker, a mentor, a babysitter, a preacher, an activist, a partner, and many other roles.

And lo and behold, we are also full-time university students being subsidized by the wonderful taxpayers of this country!

But it is an honour and a privilege to be a Projects Director. I spent a year away from AIESEC last year. When I was away, I learnt new things that I wouldn’t have learnt in AIESEC, but I also realized that there is no other student organization that is unique like AIESEC, and a role as demanding as that of a Projects Director. Only a minority of people in our local universities have the opportunity to do what you’re doing, and grow and learn from it. But I can certainly think of many people who are hungry enough to do what you are doing but yet do not have the opportunity to do so.

Compared to other functional departments, Projects has plenty of leeway, freedom and power to try new things and experiment with new ideas. As the main engine of growth for exchanges and campus outreach for AIESEC Singapore, there is understandably plenty of expectations and demands set on you guys. And with great power and expectations, comes great responsibilities.

The Imperial British Hussars knew this well. As sword-welding horsemen who are responsible for disrupting enemy formations and stirring fear in them, they are the first to charge into battle before their infantry do. With the long lines of enemy rifles aimed at them, they knew they would be the first to die on the battlefield and the last to leave. But it was a great honour to be a Hussar, not simply for what they did and could do, but for what they stood for.

And hence, we hope that you can all stand for something that goes beyond just the mundane tasks of raising exchanges and executing forums. When you meet your team in person and try to get them excited about your plans, you stand for something. When you meet potential partners and clients, and face the prospect of being rejected, you stand for something. And when you spend the wee hours of the morning writing emails and proposals when you should be studying for a quiz, you too stand for something. That something lies in being a Projects Director for AIESEC Singapore. Think about it.

And we hope that as a community of leaders and AIESECers, we can all support each other, during our darkest hours, or during our highest peaks of triumphs. The great philosopher, Cicero, knew this when he said,” Rome became great not through its conquests, but through its undying support for its allies”. Let’s help each other by being open in sharing, learning and supporting. As a community, we will have to consciously work at growth, and grow together.

On behalf of the NTT, I would like to proudly say that it has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of the process of supporting you all through providing training, mentorship and advice.

We look forward to the next training session and till then, all the best for your projects and remember, if you need help, don’t hesitate to holler for us!

Sincerely Yours,
Kenny