MAKE THEM THE LEADERS WE WANT THEM TO BE

Change is first met by resistance.

Every year, student leaders present themselves to us, and we choose. But even then, we are still imprisoned by the idea that there is no hope for a better student council, for a better anything, really. And we do nothing but wait for something, for anything, to happen – we watch them, as though waiting for them to fail.

Student leaders come and go each year and as a new batch takes their seats, we serve them scrutiny for dessert. Like a fondant tower, the higher our doubt, the richer our criticism, the sweeter we taste. But like a fondant tower, too, we see the colorful façade, and we’re sold, without even pondering how good and tasty the cake is inside. Because nowadays, politics have become a popularity contest – the one who appears good behind the glass gets the vote – but it shouldn’t be, especially in school.

If we want better leaders in the real world, the university is the best place to start clean politics and good governance. Here, we are the society and we vote for leaders to be our voices, our arms and legs to create a more pro-active environment. An iron fist is met by retaliation while an open heart is treated by abuse. Let’s face it, every personality won’t please everyone. No community has ever fully embraced its public servant and in the public’s eyes, something will always be done wrong.

We expect change year after year, the expectations higher than the last one, making ‘change’ more extensive – more far-fetched. And in our criticism we fail to realize that the leader has gone, and a new one comes in. They never stay for long. And in their short term, we did nothing but judge, further disabling them to achieve anything.

And some of us are even worse, some are even too busy to care they don’t find the time to judge – they just do nothing. We have long become cynics, believing that in the end, nothing of value is ever produced and the officers are gone before we know it.

Then another year comes and we’ll do just the same.

One year is two blazing speed semesters in a rollercoaster ride through crazy exams and horrifying deadlines, and our student leaders aren’t exempted from those. Student leaders give time and effort into student service amid the huge pile of schoolwork, and one has to have the heart for student service and the balls to balance that with being a student.

Even to the most academically active students, juggling priorities is difficult. We’re all the same but student leaders do excess workload, without receiving extra points on grades, without pay, and worse, they miss class lectures or even quizzes every time their attention is needed. They wouldn’t waste their time if it weren’t for us anyway, so we if we really look at it, we owe it them for doing things exclusively for us.

And yet, among all these, we always ask, what have they done? But to that, you should also ask, what have I done?

In class, I have learned that in every broken relationship, each side has its own faults. In this sense, have we done enough to make the most of our officers’ term? We have all become so indifferent. We keep our mouths shut in crucial times, and open it only when we criticize. We let it pass and we don’t care about what they do, criticizing the final work without knowing the real story behind it, the time and effort given to make it possible. Let’s take the students’ Magna Carta for example. You have all the time in the world to rant about your rights, but have you taken the time to read it? Or your college week celebration, did you attend the programs your local councils outlined for you?

We shouldn’t merely focus on the goal; it is the process that is essential, because in the journey toward it, objectives are consistently checked and it is being faithful to them that the ultimate goal is fulfilled.

Student participation is so much more than just attending events. It is also giving student leaders assistance and feedback to serve the Thomasian community better. You’re cooperating if you follow rules. If you return reply slips on time or passing complete requirements for a certain event, you are actively participating, but it seems like even simple requests such as those can’t be followed.

I think the real problem is letting injustices happen in front of us.

We have voices, we can write, we can see and observe what is happening around us, but most of the time, we use them destructively rather than constructively. Use your voice not only to catch up with friends or talk about random issues, use it to positively contribute to the society. Tap an officer and ask them how things are, or what you have noticed and not noticed so far. It won’t hurt to commend them for the extra school hours and days they spend to be able to finish work for you. Also, it would be a great for them if you’d say what you don’t like.

Imagine playing a basketball game without a crowd cheering for you, playing hard but no one seems to notice, their eyes fixed on something else, or their eyes with the looks that could kill. I think it’s the same with student leaders.

I have noticed that all these years, they have been trying to reach out to students, thinking of creative ways to communicate to us, but still, something is lacking. They have signed up in every popular social-networking site to deliver announcements and news, encouraging everyone to participate in events and incite discussion. Even if we run away from them, they’d still go around hunting us like a hawk.
They’re already there, all we need is to utilize them well.

Why don’t you try suggesting solutions to the problem instead of complaining? Or better yet, why don’t you try to run for office and understand the realities attached to it?

Imagine if Efren Peñaflorida had remained indifferent, if he merely posted the thought on his facebook wall, hundreds of children would remain ignorant and the chance of improving their lives would have been just an idea. Send handwritten notes or e-mails to our officers expressing disappointments, gratitude, requests, as well as suggestions. It is our right to be heard because student leaders are supposedly our voice in the university. Drop by their office, “like” a post on their Facebook page, send a quick reply on their Twitter, or post a comment on their Multiply, at least their efforts aren’t put to waste. Those were created to stimulate awareness and discussions regarding topics concerning students.

And if there are ever any doubts, ask.

If you want to know how money is spent, ask for financial statements. Look for progress reports, check on the calendar and watch out for the execution of their platforms and the fulfillment of their promises. Don’t just sit around and wait for it to miraculously land on your desk; they are leaders, not mailmen.
Each student leader presents us with a list of goals during campaigns and we should keep track of them, not just to scrutinize but to motivate them, and along the way, teach them the value of one’s word of honor.

If it seems like they don’t intend to keep their promises, push them to do it so it won’t be broken.
We have to be reminded that it is also our responsibility to mold them into becoming the leaders that we want them to be.

Published in VOX , the University of Santo Tomas’ Central Student Council Newsletter, March 2010

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