Loren Mejia, Vice-President of Leadership

loren.mejia@mdc.edu

Responsabilities:

• To explore the concept of leadership and to develop and improve leadership skills as a group, and individually.

• To work in conjunction with the President during intricate situations.

• To bring speakers able to show members how to apply the current topic.

• To coordinate all leadership events such as Leadership. Workshops and Award Ceremonies.

• To coordinate the Mentoring Program.

• To update the PTK website.

• To recognize members for their commitment with PTK.

• To design banners and slide presentations required at different events.

How do you deal with those responsibilities? How many hours per week do they take to complete?

• Before starting to work on my duties, I plan how I am going to meet the deadlines. Once everything is set up, I begin.
• The most difficult task is to organize the Mentoring Program at the beginning of each semester, and to keep track of all the mentors as the semester proceeds. It will demand time at the beginning but once everyone is familiar with everything, all they have to do is hand me the hours, and I record them. Then they are one step closer to reaching their Hallmark requirements.
• Depending on the events held, it demands between 3 to 7 hours per week.

How do you manage your time to be part of the Board and to be a student?

• Both PTK and my classes are important. However, it is important to differentiate the level of importance between one and the other. I consider my classes to be my top priority, PTK follows. Nevertheless, I do not leave any unattended. I am always on top of both.
• How do I do it? Because of I know what it is expected for me to do during the year, I plan the events required in my Hallmark one semester prior it happens. This gives me the opportunity to improve my ideas before members see the results.

What has been the most challenging experience in PTK?

• The fact that everybody told me the many things I had to do and nobody told me how.

How PTK has changed your life?

Phi Theta Kappa has made me discover that leadership does not necessarily mean accumulating as many titles as possible in school activities. I feel one leads through his dedication, actions, and contributions to one’s community. Above all, my involvement in the Honors Society has made me acquire a high regard for my actions, it has made me realize of all the values I thought I did not have, and it has turned me into an example to follow by those interested in progress. As its slogan states, being part of the organization has been “Good as Gold,” due to the fact that it has endured and reshaped my point of view of myself as an individual, making me realize many virtues I have that I was not aware of. Undeniably, the Honors Society has made me defeat my inner obstacles, and has become the turning point of my life.

Why should someone become a PTK member?

PTK will open new doors for you, enhancing your Leadership, Scholarship, Service, and Fellowship skills.

Give advice to future Board members applying for this position.

• Start building a friendship with the person holding the vice-presidency.
• Ask all questions before old executive board is out of duty.
• Ask for all forms you may need for any program/event.
• Be organized, determined, responsible, persistent, and up to accept any challenges.
• If something happens to the President, the VP of Leadership has to take over; therefore, you should be as well prepared as the President.