TOTGA AKA THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

T.O.T.G.A a.k.a

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

Written by: JCI Mem. Patricia Rose Cano Dimalanta JCI Quezon City Sampaguita

The year 2020 was the year that we were all expecting to be THE ONE. I wanted 2020 to be JCI Quezon City Sampaguita’s year! It turned out to be my TOTGA or “The One (Year to Lead) That Got Away”.

But 2020 broke my heart. At first, we were in denial that our plans won’t push through. Eventually, we had to adjust and adapt to the “new normal”. Take for example our flagship project, Femme Phenomenon. We had grand plans for a day of women empowerment activities, but we were still able to push through with successful online webinars. From there, we conducted several more online activities and training. We became known as the COVID and Virtual Presidents. This may have a negative connotation, but we proved that necessity is the mother of innovation.

Then little by little, we became braver. The JCI spirit to serve humanity cannot be stopped by the virus. We started joining physical projects towards the end of the year. We were able to give away masks and shields to the Riverways Cleanup Operations Group, donated reams of papers to the Office of the Vice President and Rosa L. Susano Elementary School as part of Metro Area’s Bags to School, and donated provisions and volunteered to pack some items to give to the survivors of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.

Before my presidency came to a close, our LO joined the first ever Joint Induction and Turnover Ceremonies, which was a bittersweet ending to the year.

Yes, 2020 was challenging. But looking back, it wasn’t the one year to lead that got away. Instead, we can proudly say that 2020 was the year of new visions, bright beginnings, and hopeful tomorrows.