We arrived on Wednesday and were informed that the National Chair position was vacant. Eager for an opportunity to lead the largest student run organization and a chance to be further connected with students motivated me to step up and run for the position. I was running against an equally qualified individual and was very nervous all day Friday. Needless to say, I was elected by the National Board of Directors to serve as the incoming 2009-2010 National Chair for NACURH, Inc.

My incoming National Chair Speech:

Hey NACURH! Is that all the enthusiasm that you have remaining? Let’s do that again. Hey NACURH! Much better. My name is Joey McNamara and I am the incoming National Chair for NACURH Incorporated. It is with great pleasure that I stand here before inspirational student leaders, dedicated and supportive advisors, family and friends, and one phenomenal National Conference Staff.

As we look back and reflect upon this year that has passed, many of us will agree that each year we continue to move forward in a direction that is best for all member schools. None of this change would have been made possible without the dedication and commitment by the outgoing National Board of Directors and National NRHH Board. NBD and NNB, you encouraged each other to reach their highest potential, instilling new and innovative ideas, and ensured that, we as a whole, were continuously thinking about all of you, our member schools. Some of the great strides that have been made this year include

· Recruiting the next Conference Resource Consultant

· Incorporation of our newest executive position, National Associate of NRHH

· Funding two universities with programming grants

· A Internationalization Resolution that shows our commitment to those around the world

· Corporate Office Assessment Policy

· And further integrating into one organization

Under the leadership of Avi Zacherman, the National Board of Directors raised to new levels this year. I would like to thank Avi for his commitment and service to NACURH throughout this past year and his involvement prior to this year. He has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles with the aim to move NACURH forward into the future.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank my host institution, Lynn University, in Boca Raton, Fl. They have provided 100% support for me for the past two years as I served on the NBD and are looking forward to supporting me within the upcoming year. As most of you are aware, all our member schools fall within a region and I wouldn’t be standing here today if wasn’t for one of the fiercest regions in the nation, SAACURH. I am proud to be part of this region that has assisted me in developing as a leader, a region that fosters the growth and development of new and seasoned leaders, and a region that always makes me feel like home.

Dominick, Alla, Jackie, Rosanna, and the entire U of A conference staff; you have created an experience for delegates and advisors like no other. Your commitment and dedication set forth in planning this conference has been phenomenal. There is no doubt in my mind that advisors and delegates will leave this conference and bring back a plethora of knowledge to share on their own campus. Conference staff, your passion and charisma is apparent in everything you do and you should be proud of your accomplishments.

As we move forward this year, my commitment to each of you is to serve as the National Chair of NACURH Incorporated and lead the National Board of Directors and National NRHH Board to success by ensuring that we are serving our member schools to the best of our ability. I will make myself available to each of your individual schools, to each of your individual RHA and NRHH members, and to any residential student on your campus. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I strongly believe in increasing the participation of campus level individuals on national committees and furthermore, I want to be available to any residential student to assist you with any initiative, concern, or change you would like to be addressed by NACURH, Inc.

“Each of you is the architect of your own life. It is essential that you take your dreams and make them reality. Realize that there is no one on the planet exactly like you. Carry the awareness of it with you when you walk into a conference or a meeting. Remember that the organization or group is lucky to have you. Realize that you don’t need to become a Bill Gates or Oprah. Become your own person. When you decide exactly what you want to do go after it, whether it’s being a hall director or director of residence life; that is the fulfillment of your own dreams. Challenge the process, disregard the status quo, sometimes you’ll be ahead, sometimes you’ll fall behind, but always trust in yourself. For a great writer once wrote, “never tell a young person that anything cannot be done.”

]]> http://blogs.lynn.edu/myknightlife/2009/06/16/leadership-doesnt-end-after-college-nacurh-national-chair/feed/ 0 http://blogs.lynn.edu/myknightlife/2009/04/13/off-to-eastern-kentucky-university/ http://blogs.lynn.edu/myknightlife/2009/04/13/off-to-eastern-kentucky-university/#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:52:16 +0000 Joey http://blogs.lynn.edu/myknightlife/?p=337 I am sitting at the airport right now waiting for my flight to leave to Charlotte. I am on my way for an on-campus interview at Eastern Kentucky University with the possibility of becoming a Residence Life Coordinator for the upcoming year. I received a call last Thursday while I was at the Hilton interning, and I was very excited for this opportunity. This will be my first time going to Kentucky so I am looking forward to seeing what it is like.

You can definitely see how airlines are trying to overcome this recession. As I checked in at US Airways the first message that came up was a request to take an alternative flight for compensation because they were overbooked. I currently have (3) three vouchers with Delta because they are overbooking to ensure they have full planes. Normally I do not have a structured schedule so I always am the first to volunteer.

Anways…I have to get back to writing my commencement speech!

For those who didn’t know. I am attending this placement exchange in search for a residence hall director position. My experience on campus in Student Government, Programming, and Residence Life has propelled me to look into this opportunity.

I was really impressed that EKU is starting Greek Housing on their campus in the next upcoming year. Brotherhood and sisterhood development is so important to fraternity life, that I think they are going in the right direction. What really caught my attention was the fact that Nickole Hale, Associate Director of Academic Initiatives described the office enivornment as a “family”.  Lynn University is like a family to me and that is something that I am looking for in a higher ed job.

My friends and I were gong on a tour that left at 7:30 a.m. We had the opportunity to repel down into an underground water pool. I have never seen water so blue. The first woman that repelled had no idea what she was doing and they just pushed her into it.  After swimming we went hiking, kayaking, zip lining, and even had a meal prepared by the Mayans. After lunch we went to Coba, a large ruined city of Maya civilization. This area contained several pyramids, one of which we climbed. It was 120 steps, which sounds like not a lot, but when the steps are narrow and slippery it becomes a little bit of a challenge.

One of the greatest benefits of having a tour with only twelve people is that you really get to know everyone. We were the only Americans in the tour. The rest of the people were from Canada. The tour ended with a shot of tequila with salt and lime and an opportunity to purchase ridiculously priced photos.

We are meeting up with four of the people at Margharittaville in Downtown Cancun tonight for some fun and dancing. It should be a blast!

Amanda and Bruno got here today. We did a tour of the resorts and grabbed dinner. Excited for the opportunity to go out tonight, we went to the Royal Carribean for karaoke. Of course, we know my talent for singing is non-existent. Nevertheless, a woman thought I was from American Idol. Apparently, she didn’t see me when Karina dragged me up to the stage to sing the Chris Brown part in No Air. I felt that I had to go up with Karina after I secretly put her name in earlier to sing Life is a Highway. The night was hilarious. Bruno got up several times to sing. This one woman thought she was the star of the night and was belching out the lyrics to some old song I didn’t even know. Her enthusiasm and excitement was powerful. The beginning of our entertainment for the week…

I landed this morning at 8:3oam….don’t ask me how I made my 8am flight out of Miami. I barely woke up at 3:40am in time to leave for Miami at 4:20am. I don’t know why they ask you to be at the airport three hours in advance for international flights. In my opinion its just more wasted time in the airport.

Customs and immigration was a long wait. The economy may be hurting, but people are still coming to Mexico for vacation. I was a little nervous about coming since CNN all week long said “#1 Spring Break Destination not to go, MEXICO!” When I got to the resort it was 10:00 am. I couldn’t check it, but I didn’t care. A bathing suit, drink by the beach, and a beach chair was all I needed. Spring break was off to a great start! Especially after I found out we received an oceanfront room. Can’t get better than that.

I just landed and expected to see Brian and Sarah, but apparently Brian’s flight got delayed and Sarah got a ride with her university. I texted Beth at first, but her plane was still in the air. When she landed she texted me that she was at baggage claim 5. I went to baggage claim 5 and tried to look for her, while not trying to look ridiculous because I had no idea what she looked like or what she was wearing. It would have been smart to Facebook her considering we have been interning since June 2008, but it never crossed my mind.

I texted her, “What are you wearing?” and immediately after sending it I kept my eyes pealed to see if someone looked at their phone. Of course, I forgot we were in the decade that everyone is constantly looking, playing, or texting on their phone. I did see a young lady take out her phone and then look up. Our eyes connected, but we were both unsure of the potential that either of us was correct. I finally decided to take a chance and “look like an idiot” or “find Beth”…. I wasn’t an idiot…it was Beth. We both laughed in reflection of our actions.

I think I should have brushed up on my Spanish so I would be able to engage in some communication with his family… I mean anytime I am around Lynette or Armando I try to work on my Spanish skills. I took Spanish for six years since I was in 7th grade. I can usually engage in communication as long as the person I am speaking to speaks slowly. We will see how this goes…

I was staying with my friend Ron who is an Residence Life Coordinator at UAB. Their campus is really unique, because it is practically the city. There are so many hospitals in the radius of their campus. Health, nursing, and pre-med are huge programs. I got a chance to meet his RA staff and it was tons of fun.