Leadership Notes

Students build towards the future: Theirs and NIRSA's

By Marc Falkenstein, NIRSA Region VI Student Representative

One of the 2005 Student Leadership Team (SLT) goals for our term was to establish a Student Lead On in all six regions. As a member of the SLT, I am proud to announce that this fall we have taken many steps to make this goal a reality. To date, Regions I, II, V and VI have all had successful Student Lead Ons, and Regions III and IV have Student Lead Ons scheduled for early in the New Year. The benefits received by students, and the feedback provided, has been positive all around.

The number of attendees at the Student Lead Ons has ranged from 30 to 80 students. Each Lead On has had different content presented, but all had one common theme; they were all student planned and student run. This is one of the great benefits of being a Member of NIRSA and taking a leadership role. Students are afforded a great opportunity to build their abilities in many of the skills they will need to be successful in their careers.

Students who attended these Lead Ons had the opportunity to meet, interact and network with many of the great Professionals in our Association. At the Region VI Conference, students heard a presentation from NIRSA Executive Director Kent J. Blumenthal, and met Past President Tamra Garstka and Region VI Vice President Tom Kirch. The opportunity for students to interact with Professionals is one of the great aspects of our Association. On behalf of the SLT, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Professional Members who take the time to help develop Student Members. After all, it is the students who are the future of our Association.

I would also like to thank the students that attended these leadership and professional development opportunities. It takes people who value themselves and their future to step up and realize these opportunities. This SLT is honored to serve such a diverse and dynamic Student Membership.

We hope to see you all next year at the remaining Lead Ons, ERSL (Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders) in Atlanta, and the Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Exposition in Louisville. Together we can steer our futures, the future of the Association, and the future of campus recreation.