Obama

I don't really know how to express how incredible and emotional this moment is.

"A new era of responsibility."
I hope we can do it.
Praise the Lord.

(btw the poet was a Yalie)

-- Michele

OBAMA!

As a Chicagoan, let me just say:

this is a proud, proud
proud
proud, proud
proud
PROUD


day.

national plenary meeting: day 1

This weekend is shaping up to be incredible. There's no doubt that we're dealing with a lot of crap -- especially those of the team who are on natstaff in New York -- but the dialogue today was incredible.

For 5 hours, basically, Naoufel and Missy brought us up to speed on the recent history of AIESEC internationally and in the USA. I might add that they did so without placing blame or complaining about actions on any "side" -- and, in doing so, I believe that they have successfully united the LCP's of the nation in a way that no prior action has. There was representation from 24 LC's today... and we filled a whole side of Giordano's, all eating together at the same table at dinner... at 9 pm because we were ready to go all night if it was necessary in order to get everyone's feedback.

We will legislate tomorrow on the MCP's role and selection process, as well as EBD pricing ... and a 4th item I forget. Then we'll be going over the output of our working groups (governance, organizational structure, sales, sending students abroad, and member development) and deciding on next steps. It's been an insanely productive Saturday, that's for sure.

Some pics...

Amira (LCPe, GT) and Oriana (LCPe, Baruch) in Cosi at lunch

Alina (LCP Yale), Nisha (Illinois, Natstaff), Naoufel (Just Plain Moroccan AMAZIng)...

The team :) In our classroom at Northwestern. Jason and Andrew, thanks so much for organizing!

Look at how many of us there were at dinner!

(Yay Chicago-style deep-dish pizza!!)

Hugs to all. Wish us luck!

Oh. my. gosh.

Dear AIESECers,

Over the last twelve years, the leaders of AIESEC U.S. (both staff and students) have dreamt of, envisioned and pursued an AIESEC that was bigger and better from that which they first joined. These leaders have consistently envisioned an AIESEC that was a household name, did thousands of quality exchanges a year, provided students with unparalleled cultural and professional opportunities, and that truly, on a large scale, helped to create international understanding and cooperation. To that end, the AIESEC U.S. leadership (past and present) has put in an uncanny amount of hard work, energy, and passion into building a viable organization capable of supporting such an incredible and achievable vision.

This vision was nearly achieved. However, for a number of reasons, the officers and senior team of AIESEC U.S. have found themselves in a place where achieving the vision is no longer possible within the existing current conditions. Due to the actions taken in recent months by some of the US membership, AIESEC International, their Supervisory Group, and the AIESEC US Board of Directors we believe the only choice is for us to transition out. There is no viable way to continue the effort. We have offered to the AIESEC US Board of Directors a transition plan so that AIESEC US is not at risk.

While this is unfortunate and disappointing for all of us, we want to thank everyone who has supported the pursuit of the AIESEC that we all thought was possible. That includes everyone within AIESEC U.S., alumni, and our external support. Furthermore, we want to thank those leaders that came before us for the opportunity that you gave us to continue pursuing this vision.

We wish the best for AIESEC U.S.

Sincerely,

Carly Lewis

Andrew Martin

Paul Fawell

Ashlee Moore

Michelle Schifrin

Dana Matl

I´m already nostalgiac for Guayaquil... and I haven't left yet.

I think that what caught and held my attention was the contrast. In the light of the streetlamps, the workmen were purple and gold against the blurry twilight as they propped their ladder against the wooden pole. Purple and gold, one -- he was missing most of his front teeth -- dragged the cable down the hill and became gray. Purple and gold, another climbed the ladder, a small bright glow against the graffiti'd walls. (Cada vez estoy más cerca a escribir tu nombre en el cielo.) Behind -- the flat, dusty field; the green-blue-purple hills of the ESPOL with the lights on the antennae twinkling on top.

And I, lone gringa, 3 km into my walk, blonde short curls and all, stop with one hand on my backpack and the other still clutching my key like a kinfe, and gape like a tourist.

(I am a tourist)

Finally I've seen the beauty that comes because, not despite of, the dust and cansancio and grime.

What you learn from AIESECers

Or rather, what I've learned from Joaquin's fight to start @ here at the ESPOL.

1) Passion is stronger than knowledge, because it is the bringer of both knowledge and charisma.
In two weeks, he has learned more about the AIESEC Way and what we stand for than I do after almost two years. And he can articulate it. It puts me to shame now when I describe @ as I have learned to -- as a leadership development and and student exchange organization -- because Joaquin has pointed out to me what I already knew: that our goal is the @experience (and by that, leadership development) -- and exchange is just one of many steps in that experience.

2) The most powerful phrase in leadership is You Can.

He told me that there would really have been no chance of AIESEC at the ESPOL without the unshaking support of current MCP Deisi Yunga, because she said he could do it -- and then gave him what he needed to move forward. In that statement, I recognized again the power of simple belief to make things happen. We have to take the risk that we'll fall and say yes to people who have not yet proven themselves -- or nothing ever happens.

3) One simple (and reachable) goal is better than five lofty ones
And that, my darling EB, we can stand to learn from!