Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend Vancouver Region's first-ever LTI. I was able to contribute to splitting our region into chapters for the first time in a while. We split into four different groups based on geography including Vancouver AZA, Vancouver BBG, North Shore BBYO, and Tri-Cities BBYO. I was included in the Vancouver BBG group. Within our groups, we discussed the positions we wanted to run for in our first-ever chapter elections. I, of course, had my heart set on what I wanted to run for, which was chapter N’siah. I knew going into this process I wanted to shape our chapter into a place where all BBGs could have a home. On a personal note, ever since I attended ILTC this past summer, I have dreamed of leading a chapter or even starting my own to have an impact on my community.
A week or two later, election packets came out, and I jumped at the opportunity. I decided I wanted to run for chapter N'siah because it resonated with me the best, even though I had connected with many other roles as well while forming my ideas and goals.
During the time leading up to my first IC, I was working on my vision statement and platform. This IC took place in Denver and it was so much fun. I met so many amazing people, reunited with my best friends from all over the order, and had some life-changing experiences. My number one highlight had to be running up to my friends that I hadn’t seen in months and giving them the tightest hugs ever. Then, I got to hang out with them for the rest of the weekend, which was amazing! Another big part of IC was getting to hear and speak to a Holocaust survivor in one of the Limmud sessions on Saturday. I found it thrilling and felt connected to my Jewish identity during that hour. I felt this way because I know that this upcoming summer I will encounter very historic sites from the Holocaust on BBYO’s Central Europe Discovery trip. After meeting and talking with a Holocaust survivor I found myself more ready and eager to hear additional stories like his this summer. My final highlight from IC was my sightseeing activity on Sunday, touring and shopping at the Pearl Street market and touring the CU-Boulder campus. It was so cool to see and explore the campus and understand what it was like being a Jewish student during this time. While exploring Boulder and the market, my new friends and I went to this super cute Italian place for a really good lunch. I will never forget it because the food was sooo good. To conclude my IC experience, I spent my last night saying goodbye to my best friends and soaking up every last second with them because I didn't know if I would see them until IC next year. On my flight home, I reflected on what a wonderful weekend it was, and questioned how I could somehow tie this experience back to my chapter elections speech.
Saturday, March 1st
Two weeks after IC, I had just spent the entire week at home after IC and I was feeling better, but not fully back to my usual self. So of course I was very nervous about elections the next day. I was wondering if I really could do it. Could I actually be here? It had been 2 months since LTI and I had put all my energy into making my speech the best it could be. I was nervous and had also never been to elections before, let alone run for a position before. I kept asking myself what if I don't get it? What if they don’t like me? But I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on how I could make this speech the best it could be. I practiced for hours trying to make myself feel prepared but I knew I was more nervous than I could let on and I knew I might not get it. I knew I would just do the very best that I could, no matter what happened.
Sunday, March 2nd
The day of Vancouver BBGs first chapter elections, I woke up nervous and excited about what would happen. When I arrived at the JCC where the elections were taking place, I felt uneasy and very nervous. I arrived early, so I decided to take the time to practice once more in front of the mirror. After practicing, I went up the stairs to the room where elections were happening.
Elections began and I already felt ready to make a jump in my BBYO career. When it was my turn to give my speech, I stood with confidence and spoke my best, even though I was more nervous than ever. When the results were announced, and I didn't win chapter N'siah, I felt like I might burst into tears. But no, that was not who I was. I put on a strong face and smiled. I decided at that minute that I should slide to run for S'ganit because maybe the voting members would see me in that position. But the same thing happened, and I lost again. I felt as though my whole world was crumbling. Something I had worked so hard for was gone, just like that. I could feel myself building up a wall to stay strong and not burst into tears even though I felt like, at any moment, I might.
Then, elections continued. The next position to be elected was Morah and no one was running for it. Knowing what had just occurred, I wanted to go home and cry in my room, but I couldn't just leave like that. It wouldn't be kind or polite of me. Then, before I could say I needed to go to the bathroom to process everything, a girl in my Region nominated me for Morah. I was shocked, I didn't expect this at all. I was scared because I didn't have a speech prepared and felt like I had nothing to say. But I went up even though I was nervous. I didn't decline the nomination, or run away, I got up to the podium and then froze. I didn't know what to say or even what this role was anyway. How could I say anything? I couldn't even think straight! But, I didn't let any of those things stop me. I took little pieces from parts of my speech that I had prepared and said for the third time that morning that I would put my everything into this role and that I would work so hard to make this chapter a place for every BBG to feel welcomed, like a second home. I was the only person running for chapter Morah so I knew I would get it. I felt relieved and disappointed at the same time because I had worked so hard to get this one position that was gone in minutes. Then when I slid down to S'ganit, it was the same feeling, I had worked so hard and put my everything into getting these positions, and they were gone within minutes. I was elected to the position of Morah.
After I got home from elections, I finally got to let out the feelings that I’d been holding back all day. I cried and let myself grieve the loss of two positions that I thought were right for me. Then, I did what I do best; I got up and moved forward and realized that the position of Morah was the right position for me in the end. It really was! Everything I had written in my speech and goals connected most with Morah. I was happy that I had finally found a position that fit my goals for this new chapter.
So now, looking back, I have some tips for anyone considering running for chapter board in the future!
YOU WILL FIND THE RIGHT POSITION FOR YOU!
GO OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!
LET YOURSELF FEEL!
The past 2 months have been crazy busy getting our chapter board going and having our first few events. I'm so glad I have this opportunity to be a part of forming a new chapter in Vancouver. And yes, losing elections is hard, it always will be, so my advice for anyone out there thinking of running for board is to please be brave, be resilient, and show them who you are!
Since elections, we as a chapter board have chosen a name and a mascot, and had 2 really successful events with over 20 people which is amazing considering we just started! I am so grateful that I persevered through elections and got back up on my feet. I am so proud to be building a legacy for BBG’s here in Vancouver as part of the first chapter board in over 30 years!
Becca Firestone is a BBG from Vancouver Region and loves to sing and perform.
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.
