Quote:
Originally Posted by Zillini
I've seen many officer elections over the years and can honestly say that the most qualified candidates don't always get elected. Some of the reasons I've seen:
- Candidate was already active in a ton of campus orgs, clubs, challenging course load/major, had a job, etc. Chapter members wanted someone with more time to dedicate to their org.
- Candidates experience was primarily external, meaning on campus orgs/clubs. Chapter members wanted someone who was active, committed, and proven herself within the Chapter. In addition, members may not know about someone's external experiences while they know exactly who always shows up at the house for work.
- Chapter members voted for who was more popular instead of who was more qualified. These are 18-21 year olds and they don't always see the big picture.
- Candidate knows she's the most qualified and got cocky. Chapter members thought electing her would fuel her ego and she needed to be taken down a notch.
- (How shall I put this delicately?) Chapter members voted for a less qualified candidate who was more "polished and personable". After all the Pres is also the official public face of the Chapter.
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Zillini makes some great points. And sometimes, like with membership selection/recruitment, the chapter/nominating committee/etc sees a piece of the picture that you don't. A couple years in, I was slated for a position and when they called me, I literally asked "Really? Are you sure?" I was completely surprised, it wasn't something I expressed interest in, and I wasn't sure it was right for me. But utlimately they
were right and it was my favorite role as an officer.
Perhaps the chapter saw something in someone else that you or maybe even she didn't know was there. Or maybe it came down to involvement (too much or too little, internal or external) or popularity. We really can't know. The best thing to do, assuming you still want to stay involved, is try to let it pass and give your all to whatever comes next. Good luck to you!
