First 230 Days as Chapter Historian

I have been stationed by the chapter scrapbook for about seven months now and since it is Christmas break, I've been able to reflect on my year as a chapter officer so far. Below I've answered some common questions I've been asked this year.

1. How did you feel whenever you saw your name on the officer slate?One of my best friends Ber (a senior) was also applying for an office and this was her last chance to become an officer of our chapter. I knew how bad she wanted it, so whenever I walked into the room to see I looked for her name first. After seeing her name, I anxiously searched for mine....and there it was! Knowing the caliber and talent of the candidates applying, it was a huge honor to be selected as one of the ten officers.
2. What was your first thought when you became an officer?AHHHH! The moment you get your hug from the retiring officer, recognition from the chapter, and officially sworn in as an officer is something I can not describe without getting butterflies! After the initial excitement, happiness and insane shock settled, the first thought I had was I have less than 365 days as an officer, let's get started!
3. What have you contributed to the officer team?I would like to think that I've contributed a lot to the progression and the goals of the officer team. Every thing is a TEAM effort and I try to offer my assistance whenever needed.
4. What 'big projects' have you completed so far?I think every day as an officer is a type of 'big project' because it really is a lifestyle, not just a title. Some projects I have been responsible for include designing the FFA Magazine and updating/maintaining our 75-year's worth of history. I have some exciting projects that I am started next semester, but they're secrets! ;) As the "Queen of Social Media", I maintain our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages. As a team, we were able to write letters to all Greenhand and Chapter recipients and we had high positive remarks from the military personnel we served through Operation Military Pride - which were my personal favorite activities.
5. What is one surprising thing the members may not know about you as an officer?I'm not always the last one to things! ;)
6. What is the biggest thing you have learned?The biggest thing I've learned is how to truly be a servant-leader and what it really means to "go all out" in our organization. Being an officer is not easy, but when you're serving for the right reasons and you commit to the organization you can make a greater impact than you would have made for being selfish and doing it for personal glory. Each of the advisors have given me a "little nugget of advice" (some more like novels...) that I've been able to use throughout my year to guide my actions and decisions.
7. What is your favorite overall activity of summer/first semester?My favorite activity is a close tie between FFA Camp, National Convention, MO Governors Conference on Agriculture, Barnwarming, and Operation Military Pride! How do you pick just one?
8. What has been the most rewarding community service project to date?The most rewarding community service project to date, in my opinion, was Operation Military Pride. This year, more than any other year, we received correspondence back from several of the military personnel telling us how much they appreciated it and how it truly made an impact on their lives. That's what it's all about -- making a difference.
9. Who do you contribute your success to?SO MANY PEOPLE. Most importantly, God has given me the strength to overcome anything that has been thrown my way. I couldn't be where I am today without the support of all four of the Eldon FFA Advisors (Biddle for taking every insane idea I have letting me run with it, Schmidt for telling me to shut up when I need it, Reichel for never ceasing to make fun of me, and Blair for teaching me how to drive..with acute road rage) and the FFA Officer Team.
10. What are you most proud of?The Greenhands and Chapter Degree recipients receiving their pins made me very proud and I was excited for them to begin their journey in the FFA Organization. #proudmommy
11. What has been the hardest part as an officer?Knowing that I was given the chance to be an officer because I DESERVE it. There's always going to be critics and people criticizing you, your intentions, or your work -- but a committee of people put me in this position and I'm going to represent them the best I can as an officer.
12. What has been the easiest part as an officer? "Live your company values before you communicate them" Although we are not a company, the situation is just as applicable to our chapter. It has been the easiest for me to rely my personal experiences with FFA and my love for our program -- because it's genuine and one of the most important things in my life.
13. Why are you serving as an officer? To serve the membership: serving those who dedicate so much of their time to our chapter, and to assist in growing leaders to sustain and support our chapter for many years to come.
14. What do you want to do second semester as an officer? I have a couple of projects up my sleeve ;)
15. What's your goal for next semester? To end STRONG. I want our officer team to impact the membership to the best of our abilities this semester. This could be my last semester as an officer (if I don't get a position next year) and I want to treat it as such.
16. At the end of the year, I want to be able to say... I made the best use of my 365 days and made someone love FFA as much as I do.
17. What office position do you want next year?I would be happy with any position that allows me to make a difference for our chapter for one more year. Serving as President would give me the opportunity to ensure that projects get done and to truly execute new events to make the greatest impact.
18. What are your future goals in the FFA Organization?I would love to be a state officer and a national officer if those opportunities arise for me. Being National Champions is also one of my bucket list items ;)