PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: the LCN is not really about events like the Convention, resume workshops, professional mixers and luncheons. It is not even about the University Lebanese Clubs, board, students, and alumni. In reality, this is all a ‘head fake’. What exactly is a head fake? A head fake is something I picked up from watching Randy Pausch’s YouTube video: The Last Lecture (if you have not seen it, I encourage you to watch). It is learning something when you think you are learning something else. For example, football is not only about gaining yards or scoring touchdowns, it is about learning to work on a team, right?
So, what does this have to do with the LCN and you? Well, the LCN was formed for an intangible purpose; it was formed to serve as a training ground and model for the new generation of Lebanese and Lebanese Americans. The custom of procedure, the importance of transparency and the reliance of action items are tools we practice not because we distrust one another, but because we believe in the potential of our collective body. Allow me to rephrase: rules, minutes and action items that are documented and posted on mylcn.org force us to think things through, to justify our actions and to stand behind our beliefs.
The LCN has the ability and resources today to paint a positive and productive tomorrow. Imagine a future with business, academia and philanthropic based organizations all sharing a common LCN bond; an LCN ethos and ideology to help resolve conflicts, ensure transparency and enhance unity. We take extensive steps to remind ourselves that process should be respected and that our promise to our membership is the most valuable investment we can make.
The first true test of this promise starts at home. Who will choose to be an officer of the next LCN Board? Who will choose to make LCN a priority? Have its predecessors done enough in the past to secure an LCN future? Time will tell. You will tell. Nominations are now being accepted for LCN officer positions. I know that for myself, the LCN has given me memories and friendships that will last forever. I hope you join this family by submitting your nomination form. I promise it will be a rewarding experience. Only those closest to the LCN know of the challenges and difficulties that have been overcome and the connections we have fostered.
The LCN has branched out in so many ways this past year. We have collaborated with LebNet, LAHC, LACOM, LACC, LAA, LMT, Cedars Rotaract, NAAP-LA [to learn each acronym, please visit our website] and so many others. We want to groom our membership for these organizations. The LCN works to inform the membership on useful subjects such as parliamentary procedure, fundraising techniques, organizational tools and most importantly the development of a vision. The LCN promises to invest in each member so that they can assist others and fulfill their goals which in turn underscore a united and prosperous future for Lebanon and its citizens.
In order for this to work, we need you to reach out. Reach out to your family, friends and organizations. The direction of the LCN is where you take it. Your commitment, initiative, values and passions are central to the future of our collective. This is an opportunity to prove that the work of the collective is more valuable then the work of the individual. If we are to succeed as a people, then we must succeed together. I hope that you take advantage of the LCN. I hope that in our own way we developed a place for you to improve your academic and professional skills. Strengthening yourself for the benefit of our community is perhaps the greatest head fake of all.
Keep bleeding LCN!
Serge Haddad
President
Lebanese Collegiate Network
So, what does this have to do with the LCN and you? Well, the LCN was formed for an intangible purpose; it was formed to serve as a training ground and model for the new generation of Lebanese and Lebanese Americans. The custom of procedure, the importance of transparency and the reliance of action items are tools we practice not because we distrust one another, but because we believe in the potential of our collective body. Allow me to rephrase: rules, minutes and action items that are documented and posted on mylcn.org force us to think things through, to justify our actions and to stand behind our beliefs.
The LCN has the ability and resources today to paint a positive and productive tomorrow. Imagine a future with business, academia and philanthropic based organizations all sharing a common LCN bond; an LCN ethos and ideology to help resolve conflicts, ensure transparency and enhance unity. We take extensive steps to remind ourselves that process should be respected and that our promise to our membership is the most valuable investment we can make.
The first true test of this promise starts at home. Who will choose to be an officer of the next LCN Board? Who will choose to make LCN a priority? Have its predecessors done enough in the past to secure an LCN future? Time will tell. You will tell. Nominations are now being accepted for LCN officer positions. I know that for myself, the LCN has given me memories and friendships that will last forever. I hope you join this family by submitting your nomination form. I promise it will be a rewarding experience. Only those closest to the LCN know of the challenges and difficulties that have been overcome and the connections we have fostered.
The LCN has branched out in so many ways this past year. We have collaborated with LebNet, LAHC, LACOM, LACC, LAA, LMT, Cedars Rotaract, NAAP-LA [to learn each acronym, please visit our website] and so many others. We want to groom our membership for these organizations. The LCN works to inform the membership on useful subjects such as parliamentary procedure, fundraising techniques, organizational tools and most importantly the development of a vision. The LCN promises to invest in each member so that they can assist others and fulfill their goals which in turn underscore a united and prosperous future for Lebanon and its citizens.
In order for this to work, we need you to reach out. Reach out to your family, friends and organizations. The direction of the LCN is where you take it. Your commitment, initiative, values and passions are central to the future of our collective. This is an opportunity to prove that the work of the collective is more valuable then the work of the individual. If we are to succeed as a people, then we must succeed together. I hope that you take advantage of the LCN. I hope that in our own way we developed a place for you to improve your academic and professional skills. Strengthening yourself for the benefit of our community is perhaps the greatest head fake of all.
Keep bleeding LCN!
Serge Haddad
President
Lebanese Collegiate Network
Previous President Messages:
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