ONE YEAR TO LEAD: CHALLENGE FACING THE PANDEMIC

ONE YEAR TO LEAD: A CHALLENGE FACING THE PANDEMIC

Written by:

JCI Mandaluyong, Inc.

As I started my journey as the 2020 President Elect of JCI Mandaluyong, Inc. after a week of our Metro Areacon 2019, I can already see a bright future for our Local Organization. I was then equipped with my one-year program and projects for my term as I entered the doors of the Presidents’ Academy in Cam Sur. Though I have already known my coPresidents from the Metro Area, there are still more Presidents to meet for myself. I can hear other presidents from different areas and I can understand their dialects, but it was still hard for me to chime in. My confidence was not in full until I was grouped with Team Magnates where I felt like I belonged and made my Presidents’ Academy and Natcon experience really memorable.

As I returned to my own local organization, I was full of hope. We started our strategic planning, scheduled our OTI, and activated our very first project, “Tulong Mandaluyong: For the Fire Victims of Addition Hills.” I continued to attend inductions even out of town through land and plane, and participated actively in area and regional trainings until the pandemic came. I was out of work; no work, no pay. I was experiencing anxiety and depression unconsciously. I had no means of income or fundraising to sustain the chapter. I was in despair until collaboration projects from our area and sister chapters were activated. But still, it was not enough. There were not enough funds and I was on the verge of submitting my resignation as LO President. I was discreet enough with my decision but new calls and messages came in from my Batch Hiraya Presidents, who were coming in to check on me and console me. After several discussions with my IPP & Past Presidents for solutions, my resignation was not accepted and retracted. I continued then. I swallowed my pride and decided to BE BETTER. I cannot give up in the time when most of us are losing hope. I have to fight for my own and what I believe in. I have to be KIND and have COURAGE for I cannot let all the hardships to end just like that.

I continued to mold and motivate others in collaboration trainings, projects and our Metro Area Launch for “Beyond Prison Walls”. I did not stop there, I proceeded and claimed what I deserve; a prestige to my local organization with the help of my co-presidents, who never gave up on me and trusted my abilities as a LEADER to MOLD AND MOTIVATE the people around us.

As my one year to lead comes to an end, I would like to start a legacy of goodwill from the batch who were severely challenged by the pandemic and yet here we are standing tall.

From JCI MANDALUYONG, INC. who STRIVE and REVIVE… Continued to SOAR HIGH and now finishing STRONG….

I am ANNA BELLA CORREOS Torres aka “The RED Lipstick”, one of the brave-hearted Presidents of BATCH HIRAYA for VISION 2020.