I joined the Jaycees in 2009. If anyone had told me at that time that I would one day be running for a state board position, I would have laughed at them. Yet, here I am. I'm so excited to be a part of an organization that does so many great things and I hope that I can continue to encourage each and every one of you to inspire your peers and aspire to greater.
My platform is a simple one. Though I have a lot of ideas about trainings and how to help local chapters achieve their goals, I feel that overall the focus of the Programming Team in 2015 should be stability. There will be some minor changes here and there, but it's time to let everyone adjust. Hopefully you had a chance to see the special elections edition of the Michigander, but if not, I've included my answers below.
That being said, I want to hear your ideas. What do you miss from the past? What do you think needs improvement in the present? What would you like to see in the future? Are you interested in working on the state board? Do you see a need in your local chapter that the state board can fill?
I'm open to suggestions and questions. Hope to hear from you.
Heather L Harris
(aka Heather Stewart)
CANDIDATE PROFILE
What do you consider to be your three greatest assets?
My three greatest assets are my creativity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to ask questions.
What is the most important role of the position you are running for?
The Programming Vice President is a multi-faceted position, but I
believe its most important function can be simplified to one title. The
most important role of the Programming Vice President is that of
communicator. Whether working with local chapters to assist with
strategic planning and project logistics, or implementing statewide
programming such as competitions and the recognition program, the
Programming Vice President functions as a receiver and conveyer of
important information.
Are there any new ideas or programs you would like to implement?
I definitely have a lot of ideas for the Programming area, but I feel it
is vital to focus on consistency. Many of my ideas involve adjusting
existing programming to encourage participation or streamline a process
rather than introducing programs that are entirely new. We have seen
several large changes in recent years and it is essential that chapters
have the opportunity to become acquainted with the newest features.
What do you think is the greatest need of this organization right now?
Expanding on my previous answer, I feel that the organization needs
stability. While change will happen, we have seen numerous changes to
our organization in the past few years and it is time to provide
consistency.
As a candidate for Programming Vice President, one of the easiest
examples I can provide is the recognition program. In 2014, we shifted
focus from development areas to the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals, retired Blue Chip in favor of Civic Leadership
Certification, and introduced a brand new process for Single Project
Entries. Each of these changes had a purpose and a goal, and it is
important to allow them to see fruition.
Providing a stable framework allows the state and local organizations to
focus on achieving the goals outlined in their action plans.
