13 minute read
All About Jude
All About Jude
written by Kit Flores
Advertisement
With a battle cry of “More for Others”, the National President is responsible for leading the entire JCI Philippines and its membership through the incredibly challenging times of 2021. You often see him delivering inspiring statements, assisting projects, and attending meetings. And behind every leadership position, there is always a JCI Member and a story to tell.
Through this interview, let us hear the story of NP Jude Avorque Acidre from none other than the man himself!
1. HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH JCI?
I was working as a director of the International Emergency and Development Aid when I encountered JCI. As I needed people who shared the same work, ideas, and convictions, JCI perfectly made the fit. At first, I was just like any other ordinary member. I didn’t have plans of going up. I simply attended meetings, joined projects, and paid my dues.
I was amazed by how young people, at the time of great difficulty for us in Tacloban after Yolanda, would find the time and opportunity to continue contributing to the growth and betterment of other people. Seeing young people who were that generous and willing to go beyond the call of duty and professions struck me a lot. That’s how I got engaged to participate in JCI. I was a regular member until I became our 2017 chapter EVP. In 2018, I was our LO President. And in 2019 and 2020, I was the Area Vice President for Visayas and National Treasurer respectively. Everything that followed after my term LO President wasn’t planned. It felt like a natural eagerness to be of service, not only to the community but also to the organization. After all the experiences you have received as a member, now comes an opportunity to return the favor and multiply the goods. That’s how I look at the leadership position that came after and how I got into JCI.
2. WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH JCI?
What surprised me most is that leadership doesn’t go out of style. For example, leadership is a lesson that you can learn from friends. The best thing about my own JCI chapter is that we’re all friends; you feel valued and appreciated being part of the chapter. Your chapter will always be behind you. That is significant because, as you know, I’m in politics. And in politics, it’s practically a dog-eat-dog world. That sense of competition and purpose gets easily blurred in the process.
What surprised me also is that leadership is not something that you learn detached from life. Leadership doesn’t have to be boxed in, in the sense that you have one role and one responsibility. Leadership can be a product of friends, friendship, experience, and fellowship. There is so much to learn about leadership by simply living life better and more meaningfully.
Even in my own personal experience, I’m surprised at what we can accomplish in a pandemic. At a time when people are sup-posed to be holding back on their resources, we find so much generosity from our members and volunteers. The generosity that we see in JCI is refreshing. It’s refreshing to see people work beyond the call of duty and be of greater service to others. To be honest, it surprised me in a good way. It sparked in me an even greater willingness to do my part and ask “Why can’t I do the same? Why can’t I do more?” That is what inspired me to move forward.
3. WHAT MIGHT SOMEONE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I’m socially awkward. Every time I go inside a meeting room and see new people, I really think too much about what to say to start the conversation. That’s because my comfort zone is being by myself. As someone who talks too much, I am someone who spends more time at home and likes to live privately. Perhaps my political work has forced me in a way to “live a more public life.” I usually prefer to keep my circle small and be mindful of who my friends are and how I interact. Deep inside, it takes an effort to open up and be socially savvy.
One thing that has helped me work on that was to always remind myself that there’s always something you can contribute to the people you meet. It can be as simple as your time, thoughts, even a pat on the back or kind gesture. Be sincere about it.
For example, when I was already going up the ladder, I had to make decisions that were quite unpopular. There were times that I had to give opinions that were different from what others think. So, I would call them up and explain myself. I feel that life is too short to be faking it. Sincerity goes a long way in creating more meaningful friendships, especially in an organization wherein we all grow together based on relationships and connections with each other.
4. HOW HAS JCI PHILIPPINES ADAPTED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THIS YEAR?
We realized that we don’t have much of a choice. We must accept our situation, but not resign to it. That mindset was significant when we were planning this year and selecting the theme. Originally before the pandemic, we wanted the slogan as JCI+ because it was more growth, membership, and experience. When COVID-19 happened, the term positive was not a kind word at the time. Thus, we shifted to More for Others because it encapsulates what we wanted. On top of being more than the usual JCI, it’s also about creating a difference at a time when people feel they need to receive and turning it into an opportunity to give.
This year, we took the commitment to look at the areas that we needed to change and practices that we needed to put forward. We revisited the basics of JCI life, which we call the tripod: efficiency, empowerment, and excellence. We’ve also moved from having a more international perspective to that of a local chapter. This involved redefining the role of the national organization from one that is focused on national presence, to that of local relevance. The local chapter is the best reflection of what JCI life is meant to be.
First, we revisited what efficiency meant through PEA. Now, it’s not about having so many projects, but making sure that they are consistently done over time. This was emphasized through the one meeting, one project, and one training per month scheme. To be honest, we thought that the number of projects would go down. Surprisingly, we have even more projects than we had last year.
Second, we shifted our mindset from just attending one training after the other to a platform for growth through skills development. We had the foresight to train trainers for JCI and ensure a certification program in place. This helped us identify trainers over the long-term and that has worked out well for the organization.
Third, we put together an award system that not only communicates within the organization, but also communicates outward to other stakeholders and involves external judges. When more people know what we do, then they practically learn how relevant JCI is to their community.
And lastly, we have made sure communications became as effective and clear as possible. Oftentimes, communication is something that is an afterthought. However, it is integral to who we are as a leadership organization. That’s why we created the National Communications Directorate. Using our channels, social media, and website, we have a virtual platform for growth and connectedness.
We don’t expect to finish everything by the end of the year. Personally, I think of this stage in our JCI history as something like a cocoon experience. It’s the time when we retract inwards and build our inner capacities. And at the right time, when things are better in the outside world, we will emerge from this crisis even stronger than before.
5. WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING IN YOUR ROLE AS NP?
There are three things. First, the most difficult part was not being able to bring the entire leadership together in one place. Unless you can touch someone in the flesh, it will be very difficult to create the connection that you want to happen. This is important in an organization wherein people come from different settings, backgrounds, and professions. It’s also frustrating because I know we could do more if we have that connection. Looking back at our Leadership Roundtable, there’s always that spark that is strengthened and started when we come together in one place and see a purpose being shared by many.
Second, the uncertainty of what is going to happen next. Almost all the National Presidents were able to plan their year and schedule what will happen every quarter, month, and week. Unfortunately, I am unable to do the same. Because unlike others, nobody can anticipate what will happen or develop in this situation. What has been helpful is that everybody has been willing to be flexible, the ability to pivot and easily shift. During ASPAC, we were initially planning to focus on the awards night and have a local celebration. However, the restriction meant we couldn’t do that. We were still able to put on a good show for the Philippines night. More importantly, it proved that JCI Philippines continues to battle it out with the situation in the Philippines
Third, how to calculate risks for the organization. Unlike previous terms, both the financial and chronological space to pivot is not available. It has been challenging for us to weigh options for the organization. We came in with a comprehensive plan, and it takes courage to admit that we cannot do it that far. We can only get so much, considering the situation. Rather, you focus on what can be done, on what is possible, and on what’s the best for the situation right now.
6. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU AREN’T VOLUNTEERING?
If I’m not with JCI, I’m working! For people who are in politics and in public service, they know that there’s so much risk going outside. Even so, there’s no other way to be a leader than to be with the community. It can be demanding and challenging to an extent. When I’m not working or volunteering, I’m on Netflix. I like to watch movies because they’re a way for me not only to relax, but also to remind myself how human people find meaning in their realities, problems, and homes. Movies and TV series are a good way for me to be more introspective about life. Whether it’s a comedy, family drama, or love story, you understand the lives of other people. It makes you closer and connected to your own human experience. And of course, I like to cook for guests and wash the dishes after dinner!
7. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT BECOMING A JAYCEE?
Find your heart, because JCI is not for everyone. JCI is for people who make a conscious choice to make themselves better, so that they can help others in return. JCI is for people who want to transform themselves so that they can transform communities. That choice must be conscious. Yes, we invite people to JCI. Usually, the reasons for joining are not the same as the reasons for staying. It cannot just simply be an accident to be part of this organization.
When I give OTIs, I always tell them that when you become part of JCI you must embrace not only its perks, but also its responsibilities. Because if it doesn’t come from that, then you will have an empty experience and never stay. Now, for you to get there, you begin with one thing: you find your heart and your passion. Find that why. Because without the whys, there will never be hows. If the why is not consistent with what we do as an organization, then you might be wasting your time with us.
There’s another side to it: JCI is like falling in love. You don’t plan it. It simply happens at the right point when you say, “This is what I want to do. I want to be part of this organization.” Then, you try to be available as much as you can, and it becomes part of your daily experience. You put your best foot forward, and your presence becomes something positive to those you meet. It’s staying in love with the movement. It’s staying in love with the principles we stand for. In that way, you fuel the same heart and same why you discovered when you first joined the organization.
8. WHAT FINAL WORDS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR READERS?
I’d like to thank the organization for the very reassuring response, commitment, support that I received this year. In the end, this leadership is not just about me. It’s about everyone, each one of us who shared in the vision that we proposed and contributed the best we can.
The two people I am thankful to have met were John Glenn and Yvette. Every listening session we held; they were there with me. That generosity on their part really struck me. As cliché as it sounds, I found a family in the two of them. I owe our success this year to that friendship that has bonded the three of us together. It’s not easy to find friends who are willing to give so much of their time for a purpose that is bigger than us. That realization is not only because of those two, but also for everyone who is part of the National Board, the Management Committee, our NDs and NCs this year.
Personally, the good thing about this year was that the NB did not put together a stronger JCI Philippines unto itself. We weren’t aiming for accomplishments or accolades as officers. Rather, we tried to make the national organization truly supportive of the initiative of the Local Organizations. If you notice this year, we had fewer large-scale national gatherings and instead used our resources towards building LO capacity, through a restructured PEA and skills development. It took a lot of courage and generosity on everyone’s part to share their time and skills to an end wherein they won’t get any formal recognition or award.
That’s where I would like to thank everybody for putting the heart and mission of being More for Others. It was not just an empty slogan, but it was as a consistent ethical and leadership principle that has guided us this year. That we need to look at how we can improve ourselves so that we can improve the organization. It was about how we can improve the organization so that we can do more, not necessarily as a national movement, but empowering local chapters to do more effective, efficient, and impactful projects.
And lastly, I’d like to thank everyone’s courage to correct and change things. For example, to change the PEA system is something that we need to be proud of this year. We also tried new things, such as being intentional with our national communications and undergoing a gestation period with it.
This courage, this commitment, and this compassion for the organization and the contributions that we’ve made are not mine alone. Hopefully, we have delivered a kind of leadership that is not because of one man, but one that is shaped and molded by all. That is because everybody has taken that vision for their own. Thank you.
