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Roles (Past) Presidents play Vol. I, No. 02 * 01 November 2008 
By JCI A/Mem. CERWIN T. EVIOTA, CNT, NG 2006 Charter President One year to lead. That’s how long a license lasts for the privileged few who get the opportunity to lead a JCI unit, especially as local organization President. The same is true for elective positions in the national and international levels, but I’d like to focus here on becoming a chapter President, especially after one finishes his or her term.
Even before the Presidents Academy came to be institutionalized in JCI Philippines in 2000 and in JCI Malaysia in 1998, those who get elected as chapter President are always told, “You only have one year to lead.” JCI constitutions, from international down to local levels, have the prohibition for a President to serve only a one-year term. The wisdom is not in the prohibition per se, but for the elected President to make the best of his term. The universal policy augurs well with the very essence of the organization as a leadership mill. A newly-elected President could not be complacent and would even start to lay the ground work even before he starts to serve his term. A worthy President would not want to finish a term without leaving a legacy. Legacy This character I had the privilege to witness in JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel in the case of our president in 2007 -- Angelo Daniel “Gelo” R. Parcon; this year 2008 -- Jolex Yu Lim, CLT; and for 2009 -- Emi Rose “MM” R. Parcon. In the last quarter of my term in 2006, we had allowed Gelo to take charge even soon after his election on Sept. 7, 2006 for what I thought then was an “on the job” training for him. Then his 2007 Team did their Strategic Planning early in November 2006. Gelo did the same last year, giving Jolex enough discretions after the October 2007 Cebu Natcon, especially after the 2008 Team had their Strategic Planning in Nov. 30 and Dec. 01, 2007. After her election last Sept. 04 and the 28th Bacolod Areacon on the succeeding three days, MM immediately wore her gloves as Jolex gave her so much room to start energizing. The 2009 Team had its pictorial as early as Sept. 20, then conducted a Pre- Strategic Planning a week after, played a major role during the 3rd Anniversary JCI Week on Oct. 18 to 26, and had the Strategic Planning by Oct. 26. Yes, the blueprint for 2009 is now ready. Character In terms of awards, Gelo far surpassed what we accomplished during my term. Jolex exceeded our expectations even if he did not equal Gelo’s record but he certainly reaped more than I did. MM has yet to start but we know she is beginning to feel the pressure of serving a better term. Call it destiny or by any other term but the four of us came to be with our respective personalities at the right time. We were aggressive and forceful, even bordering on being autocratic. Gelo was very democratic, consensus builder, and very passionate. Jolex has been very cool and relaxed, and he could afford to be Laissez Faire, yet he whips hard when he needed to. We have yet to see what kind of Presidency MM will give JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel. But we seem to see her as a strict mother yet with a caring heart. Indeed, the character of a leader is determined by the personality one exhibits during one’s term of office as President. With the license to lead, a mandate given upon election, one can do what it takes to shape the Chapter while such license is still in effect. Never interfere But what about when one’s term as President already expires? “Ala eh, ‘di tapos (ka) na!” “You’re time’s up!” "Game over!” As we say again, you must make the most of your term … within your term !!! There’s no turning back. Many in JCI who made the most of their term – even those who could not do much due to some circumstances but nonetheless did their best – would not dip their hands in the affairs of the chapter, especially after they surpass the JCI age of 40, and even when they find the chapter in some trouble. They leave things for the incumbent President to tackle his challenges. Yet, the past presidents are just around to give advise or share the wisdom of their experiences … when asked. If the incumbent President gets lost, they allow the next in line to shine. Sad realities You would notice that those who did not have the most during their terms still interfere in the affairs of the chapter, even if they have gone way beyond 40. Many chapters even get into trouble because past presidents have interfered. Some past presidents even treat their chapter like they were running a mafia or a fraternity, even dictating on who should be lining up for the presidency. They claim they only want to “preserve” the institution, and would not want mavericks to get in their way. They may not be aware of it but they were rather fixating for their lost time. One past president told a chapter’s understreams 10 years after his term, “Amen sa gyud mo’g una sa ‘city hall.” (You must first get the blessings of ‘Mt. Olympus.’) He also told a candidate defeated by his machinations, “The problem with you is that you work too hard. You should work smart.” Sadly, some presidential wannabes play the game and make their noses brown just to earn the blessings of the godfathers. We witnessed this in our previous chapter, and in some other chapters. The JCI way The core group that started this club abhor the practice. We agreed to shape the chapter not in the way we believed is not the true JCI way. Indeed, we never interfered when Gelo took charge, and when Jolex followed. Gelo did the same after he turned over the leadership of the chapter to Jolex. As past presidents, when MM takes charge, Gelo, Jolex and I will just be around to share the wisdom we got from our experiences … when asked. Our time is over (almost for Jolex, yet). MM will have to run the Chapter with her BOD and Commissioners with whatever challenges and circumstances they will face. We will be doing something else outside, but still for the chapter and for JCI.
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