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Advice for the Office of 2nd VP
Advice for the Office of Parliamentarian
Layla Fistos / 2018 - 2019 / NJCL Parliamentarian
Michaela Phan / 2018 - 2019 / NJCL 2nd VP
Campaign Tips:
The most helpful advice that I can give to you is to make connections with as many people as you can. No matter the subject of conversation, meeting people is not only fun but allows JCLers to get a feel for your personality. It is important to have a group of dedicated JCLers to help with your campaign materials and provide constructive criticism. I am sure you will find your entire delegation willing to help you in any way they can! I recommend checking in about campaigning with the entire delegation at fellowship every day and getting to know each person in your delegation (or as many as you can if you are part of a larger delegation). Connecting with the people who campaign for you is important to build solidarity and make the entire process more fun and less stressful. I know that I could not have done it without my delegation and the people who stayed up late at night helping me with campaign material. Your strength comes from knowing your information, preparing speeches, answering questions, and most importantly, your friends. Allow your delegation to become acquainted with your campaign and past experience. Build a brand and slogan. Practice your speech in front of friends you trust. Have as many materials prepared before National Convention as possible. Anticipate fun and challenging questions. Have fun!
Advice for Prospective Officers:
Enjoy every moment of it! Mr. Webb and your fellow officers will be there every step of the way. Stay on top of recruiting for candidates and reach out to every JCLer you know to encourage people to run. Next NJCL Parliamentarian, feel free to contact me whenever is convenient! Like so many others, I am here to help you if you need it.
The most important thing to know as a prospective candidate for your office:
Be sure to know the Constitution and Bylaws inside and out. Be familiar with the Chapter Handbook and Robert’s Rules of Order. Make sure to attend all parliamentarian events at convention so that you have a handle on it for next year if you are elected (it’s also fun).
Campaign Tips:
Try to showcase the skills you have for the office of 2nd Vice President, which takes a lot of imagination and enthusiasm. Make creative things to hand out! Show how spirited and qualified you are! Also, always be prepared for your speeches. The speeches go a long way! Before convention, make sure that you have your entire platform ready with innovative ideas that have been thought out fully. It would also be helpful to have a short elevator pitch of your entire platform for when you hand out fliers. I would also advise that you have a campaign manager, somebody you can trust to help you organize supporters, take care of materials, and help with speeches. I’m incredibly grateful to my campaign manager and delegation, who stepped in to help me through every step whether it was through decorating posters, handing out fliers, or making cheers. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself with work during this process. Campaigning is stressful, so it’s important to sleep as much as you can and not skip any meals. Bona fortuna!
Advice for Prospective Officers:
Have faith and don’t be afraid to take risks! I also advise that you be on top of everything. Have a rubric and schedule for judging the Club of the Month contests. I also schedule when I post reminders for Club of the Month on the Facebook page. Being consistent and organized is important! In addition, it’s very important to be as clear as possible when you post anything related to contests, so that there is no confusion. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to the other officers, your mentor, or me for help!
The most important thing to know as a prospective candidate for your office:
This position requires a lot of creativity and passion but also organizational and communication skills. As 2nd Vice President, you need to be in close contact with the 1st Vice President, your mentor, and the rest of the board. Other than spirit and service, this position is about teamwork.