My mind works in VERY strange ways. I can't even explain it, but because I was driving behind someone of a certain ethnic background going entirely too slow for the street I was on, it led me to think of someone else I know with that same ethnicity who drives that same way, and I wondered if it was a stereotype. Then I thought more about that person I know, and I wondered how he was doing. He used to live in my neighborhood, or more truthfully, I used to live in his. It was a new townhouse development and technically he bought his first. I wondered if he was still there. And I wondered what happened to the home owner's association he and I were both a part of. He was the president for a couple of years before I ran against him and won. And THAT got me thinking about how many committees I have been on, how many board positions I have held, and wondering how the hell that all happened.
Those of you who know me, know I am not a shy person. However, growing up, I never took initiative in anything. I was never the team captain. I was never president of a club. I certainly wasn't homecoming queen. There are instances too numerous to count where I knew an answer in class but never raised my hand, just in case I was wrong. I didn't want anyone to think I was stupid. I even waited through a whole class period and asked the teacher afterwards whether one of his supply and demand graphs was correct. It was not and he asked why I hadn't said something during class. I didn't want the attention, so I kept my mouth shut.
I am not sure when this all changed. At my first design job out of college, I was given a personality test. However I answered made them think I should be in sales. They asked if I had ever thought about it, and I vehemently shook my head NO. No way was I EVER going to do sales. Guess what I do now? Sales.
That same job paid for a membership to IIDA, the International Interior Design Association. I had been a member for a couple of years when someone asked if I would be the secretary. I agreed. I was a horrible secretary though. My meeting minutes were almost verbatim. I was then asked to be a student liaison. I also wasn't much good at that, because I was actually intimidated by the Iowa State students since I was a UNI grad, an inferior program (not really - but that's how I felt they would see it). I think I might have been a couple of other board positions too, because I held various positions for 4 years. Later on during that same time period I was also the secretary for our very new home owner's association. I had developed better note taking skills by that time thankfully, since people just want the gist of things when they don't attend the meetings.
I then decided to run against the incumbent for president of the home owner's association because I didn't think he was doing a good job. He was a "yes man" that would tell the home owners whatever they wanted to hear just to get them off his back and then he wouldn't do anything about it. I won the election. And I got stuff done. I worked with contractors to fix ongoing issues, dealt with insurance, signage, lighting, etc. I ran meetings, listened to concerns, made decisions, and I think I did a pretty good job. Then we moved.
I became City Center Director for IIDA (basically in charge of local events in and near Des Moines). I separated from my husband, found another place to live, and started selling Uppercase Living products to supplement my income. I had never in my wildest dreams thought I would be in any type of entrepreneurial business.
Then my friend Leslie was nominated as President Elect of our IIDA chapter, covering Nebraska and Iowa. She asked if I would be her President Elect when she moved up the following year. It's a three year commitment because even the Immediate Past President stays involved. It took a little nudging, but I finally agreed to be on the ballot, and was voted in along with the rest of the slate of board members.
As President Elect of the Great Plains Chapter, I was in charge of getting a committee together and putting on our big auction event called Design Montage that the chapter did every other year. With the help of several committee members, the event was a success and we raised over $12,000 for our chapter and a charity of our choice. I felt pretty good about myself and what I had accomplished.
As President, I oversaw everything, but it was a much more laid back position since I was not in charge of anything in particular except keeping everyone on task and scheduling monthly meetings. Which was good, because during that time I took a new job, lost the new job (this was 2008-2009 when the market crashed), and ended up moving back to Cedar Falls. I still drove to Des Moines for the monthly meetings and continued to hold my position.
Even as Past President I showed up to what I could and helped out.
Being in Cedar Falls with no job and no committees, I felt lost. Eric's friend Molly is a director on the Sturgis Falls Board, and thought I might fit in. I did, and became the Band Shell Director, in charge of all the entertainment and emcees on the Band Shell Stage in Overman Park for the entire event. The first year is a trial year and they liked me enough to vote me in for the standard 3 year term after that trial year.
When my commitment ran out, I stepped down and turned to Community Main Street. I now hold a position on the Organization and Development Committee. I help plan many events in the downtown area for the general public as well as for downtown business owners and our volunteers.
I've also been sucked into Holiday Hoopla, a series of events that starts with the arrival of Santa on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and runs through Christmas. I decorate for the Breakfast with Santa and this year also helped with the float entry for the Sturgis Falls Parade. And I somehow volunteered myself to help emcee that event this year. I hope I can keep everyone excited and happy as they wait, freezing their buns off, for Santa to arrive.
I went from just a sub, to a regular player, to captain of my always evolving volleyball team. I run a side business making cards and organizing and helping people with interior design projects. I'm still involved in IIDA. I sign up to mentor design students every year. I help with portfolio and interview critiques. I take care of my house, my dogs, my husband and my boys. I help my friends and neighbors when I can, and I like it when someone thinks to ask me for advice. It feels good to support my community, my profession, my hobbies, and my friends and family.
I was not born a leader. But somehow, I feel I've become one. Or at least it's within reach.
