At the beginning of this campaign season Jeff and I had two goals: the first was to provide accurate coverage of the 2012 NISG Elections, and the second was to provide our readers our honest opinions of the campaign. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve had a lot of talks with each other over which candidates we liked in the elections, and ultimately who would receive this blog’s endorsement. Finally, we have made our decision. Based on what we’ve seen out of all the candidates in the past three weeks, NISGElections.com is proud to announce our endorsement of : the losers (and their supporters) of the 2012 NISG Elections.
Now before you start angrily tweeting and commenting, let us explain.
Over the past few weeks, the UNI student body has seen three sets of presidential and vice presidential candidates give up their entire lives in hopes of representing the students. In addition, 18 students appeared on the ballot for senate. Each candidate brought new ideas and unique styles to the campaign. UNI would be lucky to have either of the three tickets take office in April. NISG would be lucky to have any of the 18 senate candidates serve on senate, too. Based on this, one thing became abundantly clear to us. The next NISG president and senate are going to be successful. However, with the limited number of seats, there are many qualified and motivated students missing out on NISG spots. We feel that their continued involvement in student leadership is the key to the success of those who won.
Losing hurts, a lot, especially in elections. Finding out that your name was less preferred to another name is the worst. It also stings to find out that the candidate you dedicated hours of time to support lost. However, it’s in the wake of defeat that true character shines.
I’m not ignorant to defeat, either. Over the years I’ve been rejected for three upper level cabinet positions. While each one seems to have hurt more than the one before it, each one opened the door for a new opportunity. Much like the losing candidates now, I felt upset, deflated and even angry. However, the worst thing I could have done in the aftermath was to give up on being a student leader at UNI. After my most recent rejection a very wise person told me, “When you put yourself out there, Chris, failure is part of the game. You can’t let it define you.”
That’s my advice to those who walk away from the 2012 NISG Elections in defeat. Whether you’re a candidate or die-hard supporter, don’t let this defeat define you. Ask yourself, “Why did I run? Why did I care enough to put so much time into this?” Then use the answer as motivation to keep going. Use your frustration to motivate you to work harder. If you think the student body made the wrong choice, spend all next year proving it. Be the presidential or senatorial candidate that people think, “how in the hell did they lose that election?” The worst thing the losing candidates and supporters can do is give up on NISG and UNI.
To the losing presidential tickets, don’t give up on owning this campus. Make sure the winning ticket implements your ideas. Better yet, join their cabinet and make your ideas happen on your own. To the losing senatorial candidates; join the senate standing committees, attend senate meetings and make sure your senators provide the best representation possible. More importantly, to the losing supporters, respect the vote and support the winners. Chances are, you’ll find out that they aren’t so ideologically different from you. In these times for UNI, the student body needs to come together.
To the winners, congratulations. Take some time and enjoy your victory. Then, call those who lost and ask for their help. Winning was the easy part. You’re going to need as much help as you can get to do a good job.
NISGElections.com is proud to endorse the losing candidates and supporters of the 2012 NISGElections. We believe their continued involvement in NISG will be the key difference between a good term and a great term. The president and senate can’t do it alone.
I love this. So much.
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