PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
If there is one thing I hope future officers remember from me it is this: LCN events, programs and actions must benefit the University Lebanese Clubs first. It is easy to lose sight of this concept. That is why we must embed this in our spirit. ULC members will graduate annually. They will focus on establishing their futures and through their success, the LCN will also succeed and flourish. I encourage the LCN officers to always ask, how can I structure this activity/program/event so the members of subscribing ULCs benefit?
Quality over quantity. “Thank you for making the Michigan dinner so intimate, I was so happy to meet so many of my peers. I can’t wait to collaborate with them soon,” said newly elected Ann Arbor ULC President Zeina Fares. That is music to my ears. Our LCN dinners have attracted 40 to 100 people each, but when compared to the hundreds that attend the galas of other organizations, you might see this as a disappointing number. What some may see as a failure, I see as an advantage. Managing our growth is directly related to attracting the right members. As President, I wanted to ensure that our events and workshops were effective. I would rather give 60 people a great experience, then 150 people an average experience. Zeina’s words have secured and solidified my belief in this strategy.
Trust. No other word carries more risk or more promise. It is hard to trust others, and it is even harder to trust them with tasks. The LCN repeatedly reinforces the idea of accountability for each other’s behavior and actions. Our individual and collective decisions are at risk of criticism and interpretation by our membership. This is a big responsibility and it calls on trust. Trusting one another each day, especially in times of disagreement, is central to our philosophy and the only way to continue our success.
Trust has saved us as an organization several times. Many years ago, when the LCN was still a dream, distrust among the board was jeopardizing the very fundamentals of the organization. Many of us were strangers coming together to build on a vision. I recall the sleepless nights and countless hours we spent developing strategies, negotiating solutions to open ended problems and resolving feelings to bring players back to the table. I know how fortunate we were to have people in the ranks with solid integrity. For them to deliberately choose to stay committed despite the uncertainties of outcome are moments I will never forget. We were very committed to the idea that transparency, trust and goodwill will guide us to create an organization that will positively impact our community in a way no other non-profit has.
I have been active in this organization and the Lebanese American community since 2006. I was new to my own culture and I was not entirely sure what to expect or how strong my convictions would be. I didn’t fully understand the misconceptions haunting our nationality, the existing turmoil or the major players involved. I was fortunate to have met mentors and friends that motivated me to push forward. We pushed forward because there was a common goal we all believed in, there was something special before us: an opportunity to unite University Lebanese Clubs nationwide, to set an example and eliminate cultural stereotypes and misconceptions. We believed in this opportunity and we shared it wherever we went. Most importantly, however, we believed in our potential.
In 2006, I remember the long nights at Patrick Sislian’s (Past President) apartment, the hundreds of hours spent on the computer to complete our IRS papers, and the enormous pressure on us to prove to ourselves that yes the LCN is possible.
We believed in our future student and alumni members. We believed that as long as we surveyed a path, our members would lead the way. I have never been a part of something so meaningful and so close to my heart. As Marwan Charrouf, 2010 LCN Supporter of the Year, stated at LCN’10, “it is like watching your baby grow.” Remember that this is your baby too. And like any child, it takes a community to raise it.
The LCN Family has grown, and as you read through this reCap newsletter, remember that all these activities were only possible due to the dedication of over 30 LCN committees and my fellow board members. I can not describe to you the talent, focus and generosity this family has demonstrated time and time again. I know that our two newest elected officers, Judith Farah and Ferdos Kassir, will only complement this growth by providing you with valuable programs, activities and opportunities to succeed.
I believe one way to measure my success as President is by the quality of my successor. There is no one more capable, devoted and energetic than your new President Sevag Sislian. With your support, he will take the LCN to a higher level. I may be stepping down as President, but I know this is only a title. The LCN is in my blood and I will never stop bleeding.
Thank you for all the memories!
Serge Haddad
LCN President, 2009-2010
Quality over quantity. “Thank you for making the Michigan dinner so intimate, I was so happy to meet so many of my peers. I can’t wait to collaborate with them soon,” said newly elected Ann Arbor ULC President Zeina Fares. That is music to my ears. Our LCN dinners have attracted 40 to 100 people each, but when compared to the hundreds that attend the galas of other organizations, you might see this as a disappointing number. What some may see as a failure, I see as an advantage. Managing our growth is directly related to attracting the right members. As President, I wanted to ensure that our events and workshops were effective. I would rather give 60 people a great experience, then 150 people an average experience. Zeina’s words have secured and solidified my belief in this strategy.
Trust. No other word carries more risk or more promise. It is hard to trust others, and it is even harder to trust them with tasks. The LCN repeatedly reinforces the idea of accountability for each other’s behavior and actions. Our individual and collective decisions are at risk of criticism and interpretation by our membership. This is a big responsibility and it calls on trust. Trusting one another each day, especially in times of disagreement, is central to our philosophy and the only way to continue our success.
Trust has saved us as an organization several times. Many years ago, when the LCN was still a dream, distrust among the board was jeopardizing the very fundamentals of the organization. Many of us were strangers coming together to build on a vision. I recall the sleepless nights and countless hours we spent developing strategies, negotiating solutions to open ended problems and resolving feelings to bring players back to the table. I know how fortunate we were to have people in the ranks with solid integrity. For them to deliberately choose to stay committed despite the uncertainties of outcome are moments I will never forget. We were very committed to the idea that transparency, trust and goodwill will guide us to create an organization that will positively impact our community in a way no other non-profit has.
I have been active in this organization and the Lebanese American community since 2006. I was new to my own culture and I was not entirely sure what to expect or how strong my convictions would be. I didn’t fully understand the misconceptions haunting our nationality, the existing turmoil or the major players involved. I was fortunate to have met mentors and friends that motivated me to push forward. We pushed forward because there was a common goal we all believed in, there was something special before us: an opportunity to unite University Lebanese Clubs nationwide, to set an example and eliminate cultural stereotypes and misconceptions. We believed in this opportunity and we shared it wherever we went. Most importantly, however, we believed in our potential.
In 2006, I remember the long nights at Patrick Sislian’s (Past President) apartment, the hundreds of hours spent on the computer to complete our IRS papers, and the enormous pressure on us to prove to ourselves that yes the LCN is possible.
We believed in our future student and alumni members. We believed that as long as we surveyed a path, our members would lead the way. I have never been a part of something so meaningful and so close to my heart. As Marwan Charrouf, 2010 LCN Supporter of the Year, stated at LCN’10, “it is like watching your baby grow.” Remember that this is your baby too. And like any child, it takes a community to raise it.
The LCN Family has grown, and as you read through this reCap newsletter, remember that all these activities were only possible due to the dedication of over 30 LCN committees and my fellow board members. I can not describe to you the talent, focus and generosity this family has demonstrated time and time again. I know that our two newest elected officers, Judith Farah and Ferdos Kassir, will only complement this growth by providing you with valuable programs, activities and opportunities to succeed.
I believe one way to measure my success as President is by the quality of my successor. There is no one more capable, devoted and energetic than your new President Sevag Sislian. With your support, he will take the LCN to a higher level. I may be stepping down as President, but I know this is only a title. The LCN is in my blood and I will never stop bleeding.
Thank you for all the memories!
Serge Haddad
LCN President, 2009-2010
Previous President Messages:
20100101_PMessage.pdf - 01-01-2010 20090601_PMessage.pdf - 06-01-2009 20090515_PMessage.pdf - 05-15-2009 20081217_PMessage.pdf - 12-17-2008 20080423_PMessage.pdf - 04-23-2008 20071228_PMessage.pdf - 12-28-2007 20070917_PMessage.pdf - 09-17-2007