Tag: aiesec georgia tech

Gonna Bring It On Home To You

Only have time for this much:

I passed all my classes. 2.4 GPA. All C’s but one A. Still have above a 3 GPA. That is behind me now. Time to gear up.

AIESEC coming back into major focus. Went to Canada NLDC and there not only was it an amazing conference that is so much more professional than any one I’ve been to in the US, but they LOVED the engineering PBoX idea, which now has a name: “Engineer the Next Generation” a.k.a. Project01. It was definitely an important conference for me. Plus, the day and night in Oxford, OH was, shall we say, rad.

I plan on enjoying my classes. I plan on enjoying brewing beer in the breakfast nook, courtesy of Thomas’ brother’s donation while he goes to live the AIESEC dream in Costa Rica for a year. Looking forward to hanging out, in general, and reading, and catching up on some Wii (when it’s rainy outside) and riding my bike. But mostly I plan on rocking the AIESEC world and AIESEC GT especially with Project01 and being a better LCP.

EB Review Feedback

A couple of weeks ago, we did EB Review, just between those of us on the EB. It was important that we all be there together, and although two people wound up not making it – and I was disappointed by that – it was a crucial hour, held at 11 PM so that the most of us could be there.

In the interest of keeping myself personally accountable, I have decided to post the feedback I received for myself in that meeting here on my blog. It includes the comments that were made in the meeting as well as the feedback from one of our members who is not on the EB who sent it in via email.

– Use more constructive responses to frustration
– leave things at the door
– Worried school is taking too much time for me
– Check how I respond to failed expectations -> constructive criticism
– Don’t get upset with people, ever!
– Point out issues I see but focus on the positive
– Be extremely clear and give and have all necessary details
– Make sure people are accountable, be a better manager
– Make sure whole EB knows our standard of work
– Better TRAINING for EB for how to plan (bring an alumnus)

The outside feedback:

“Make sure you are keeping up with each of your EB, make sure you know what is going on in every team and that you are keeping your EB accountable to your expectations, even if it makes you out to be a ‘mean guy.’ That has to be your role at times, don’t be afraid to adventure on the inevitable negative side of leadership. I’m in support of your team building efforts, but at times I worry that they are taking away from focusing on the year’s goals. In the end at a BOA meeting, the board is not going to care how close of a team you have built, but whether or not they have kept up with their goals. Don’t let your EB be surprised when attacks them about not meeting goals (hypothetically of course). Hold them and yourself accountable NOW so that you can wow the board at the next BOA meeting.”

Culture Generation

Yesterday was my Executive Board teambuilding day. Everyone on the 2008 EB had committed to go, which was too good to be true. Sure enough, thirty minutes before we left Atlanta on Saturday morning I get the call that Bryan, my future VP Infrastructure, is mad sick, and completely incapable of even moving in his bed. But the other six VPes and I still made that trip out to Leesburg, Alabama, for a day of getting to know each other and planning for the year ahead.


It exceeded my expectations far beyond what I could have believed them to be. Even for what little time we did planning for our team, it was the most efficient meeting I have ever been to in AIESEC (except the German conference meetings which trump it all, but then again, they are German). The personalities that came together and the visions that clicked and the words of action, not deliberation, that were spoken gave my soul a big-ass jump-start on AIESEC in general, and especially for the Georgia Tech LC. I contrasted it with the ebb of motivation that has been going on, our low(er) conference registration numbers, the sometimes defeatist attitude in our leadership team meetings, and I see a bright and shining sun charging on the horizon, that is our Executive Board 2008 and a new era.


At tonight’s leadership team meeting, my heart just about exploded out of my chest when I was offended by the stark contrast between yesterday and today’s meeting. I value everyone in our leadership team. I found – and find – myself wishing I could sweep it all away though and begin with January 1. That is a hard confession to make, but that is how I feel, and that is what this outlet is about. Life with others is not about sweeping things away however, and we will all be better for working towards January 1 in the current situation because you learn more with challenges like this. I learned that a long time ago, and dammit, I just keep on learning it harder and newer.

It is three days before National Novel Writing Month 2007 begins and I have done no plot or character outlines.