At the first regional convention I attended, regional board elections were held. I didn’t understand every detail, and was really confused when we sat by chapter because my regional friend and I had planned on sitting together. But I knew enough to write the name of the candidate I believed would do a good job. In that election, the stakes were high, and I didn’t even know it.

Fast forward to this past January. As chapter N’siah, I ran Dafna BBG’s Spring Term Elections and felt the power of rapping the gavel. This time, I was running elections, counting ballots, and asking candidates questions. My favorite part was, as most N’siot feel, handing the winning candidate a ballot with a heart next to their name.

When I joined BBYO, I came for new friendships, a strong Jewish community, and because a girl at Hebrew school told me I had to join. I didn’t know about the leadership opportunities or that our organization was teen-run at all. Further, I didn’t realize that BBYO valued democracy and governance. When becoming a member of BBG, I was also given a seat at the table with a vote on my plate. A vote in regional and chapter elections. A vote I used in International elections at IC. So, what does that vote mean?

When you join BBYO, the vote you are handed should be treated with care. It matters because it can change lives. When people voted for me in elections, it gave me the chance to lead services, to lead programs, to lead business meetings. They trusted me to make a difference. And their votes changed the course of my BBYO experience, guiding me to places I dreamed of as a MIT. Your vote should not be handled lightly. It should be handled with purpose and intention to elect the candidate who will lead with passion wholeheartedly. For those who don’t know how to make the right decision when voting, make sure they are qualified for the position. Check they have concrete goals to accomplish and ideas to bring to life. And most of all, listen to hear the passion in their speech.

Before every election, we recite the BBG Election Oath together. When you say those words out loud, make sure you are following the ideals written and established by Anita Perlman. Your vote isn’t just for yourself; it’s for the betterment of your chapter, region, and international order. Because the vote you make today can change the future of tomorrow.