Speech To Class Of 2010

This is the copy of the speech that I presented at the Fourth General Session of the 2010 IASC State Convention in Springfield, IL on May 8th, 2010. 

GOOD MORNING!

Hi, my name is Scott Allen.  I am a former IASC officer and a graduate of Collinsville High School. Eighteen years ago this weekend I was at a hotel in Chicago serving in the role as State President presiding over the end of the IASC State Convention. Ok, enough about the ancient history lesson and on to you.

I hope that you have had a great convention so far and you are ready to go home, finish the school year, ace your finals and graduate! But before you can do that I am here today to talk to you a little about the time after your graduation. You probably already have some plans for what happens a little less than a month from now. That is, besides the plan to sleep in until 10 a.m. every day for the next three months.

Founded in 1934, the IASC has had a long history of developing strong leaders.  Yes, well before your advisors were born Illinois educators were training students to become leaders. You might not be thinking about the skills that you have picked up over the last four years.  You’re probably thinking about what you’re doing to do when you get home tonight or who you’re going text next. However, the skills you have learned will come in handy the rest of your life.  You will use these skills in college groups including fraternities or sororities, in organizations that you volunteer for in the future, in church groups, sports teams, and finally work situations including supervisor or management roles.

The reason I am here is that some IASC alumni and myself want to challenge you.

We want to put together an organization that furthers your IASC experiences beyond the high school level while still staying in touch with the current high school organization. For years IASC alumni have come back to staff workshops and speak at state conventions. Personally, I staffed the Summer Workshop for 11 years after I graduated from high school. There are even IASC alumni who now serve as student council advisors right here in Illinois. 

After graduation from high school and then college, the alumni of the Illinois Association of Student Councils have used the skills they learned during high school and gone on to do many things in life. Some have gone into law and politics and work as lawyers, politicians or aides and staff. Other alumni have gone into medicine and become doctors or nurses. While still others have gone into business and work in sales, marketing, finance, insurance, advertising, and consulting.  Further, IASC alumni have become well known in the fields of journalism (i.e. national radio and television personalities) or even public speaking. Some work in the non-profit sector as consultants, volunteers, and clergymen. Finally, many alumni have stayed in education and work as teachers, counselors, principals, and administrators and yes, even student council advisors.

How did I get here? Here’s some background on the project - 

Ten years ago I had the initial idea to create an IASC Alumni Association. So, while all of you were in grade school, I started talking to people that I knew and they seemed upbeat and excited about the prospects of such an organization. My impetus for this idea is that an Alumni Association was a way to keep the IASC strong and provide some continuity, while continuing to add some fresh and innovative ideas and allow Alumni a chance to give back to the organization.
After trying a couple of times to get the idea off the ground I finally decided in October, 2008 that I would start an IASC Alumni group on Facebook for fun. In November. 2009 I was asked if I would pursue the formal alumni association idea again and in January of this year I gave a presentation to the IASC Executive Board at their winter meeting. The Executive Board voted to move forward with the creation of an IASC Alumni Association so here I am speaking to you.
What’s the word on the street? How has people reacted to this idea so far?

Since I started talking to people I have received some overwhelmingly positive comments. (Deadpan) Yea…and there was much rejoicing. No, really these comments helped me continue to stay energized about this idea and work harder. I have received a positive response almost every time I have approached someone about this idea and I feel confident that there are people interested in joining this organization. Some people mention that they cannot commit to being involved with the initial organization process. However, not one person has told me that the idea does not have merit.
The student council experience is quite unique and it has impacted the lives of those involved in a very direct manner. Each person who has a connection to student council shares a common bond and reference. I think that this common bond will lead to the creation of an organization that can be very instrumental in helping the IASC grow. In the past, this bond has helped me speak to people who were involved in student council 20, 25, 30, or 40 years ago because there are those same experiences that we can share with each other which helps to initially break down the barriers.

Why do we need this group? 

What is the purpose of an IASC Alumni Association? 

1) To award scholarships and other awards to deserving IASC students to attend workshops or conventions through a foundation.
2) To maintain a relationship of alumni to the IASC and to each other through written and other communications including social events.
3) To raise funds, by dues, contributions, donations, events and otherwise, in order to support the activities of the alumni association (e.g. scholarships, funds for speakers, maybe even a fund for permanent facilities)
4) To set up a mentoring and networking system by which alumni members of high school and college students can seek advice on future professional endeavors
5) To continue to develop leaders through a workshop program geared for adults
6) To provide the IASC with a group of people to speak at events and provide the alumni with opportunities to build on their public speaking skills

For younger members of the alumni organization, yes this obviously means you, a few of those points are important so please pay attention. The mentoring and networking aspects could become key to future jobs or opportunities. If you chose to volunteer to help that experience would look great on a resume later. Finally, keeping your leadership and public speaking skills honed will be helpful to whatever you choose to do in the future.

You might be wondering who is a potential member of the IASC alumni association? 

We are welcoming all students that have been involved in the organization at any capacity

• Former State Officers
• Former District Officers
• Former Summer Workshop Participants
• Former Summer Workshop Junior and Senior Staff
• Former Delegates and Honor Delegates to State Convention
• Former National Conference Participants
• Former Region V/Lead Conference Participants
• Advisors (Past and Present)

Seriously…anyone. Warm bodies are good.

So you're asking...What's next on the agenda?

We have scheduled an IASC reunion for next month at a park in Bloomington-Normal to draw interest from older alumni in becoming part of the organization. Many former advisors and students are planning to attend. We hope this event can be a fun way for old friends to reconnect and for everyone to make new friends.

So, now you’re thinking…How does the organization become formally active?

I thought you’d never ask. During the first year of the organization we have a goal of hosting an initial alumni association event. This event would be held in the manner of a weekend workshop…without the bedchecks of course. The event would be split over two days beginning with a social event on the first night. This event would give the alumni an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with one another and meet new people. This portion of the event would be an unstructured, social gathering, giving the feel of a reunion. The next day would have more of a structured feel like this convention. The structure of the organization would be proposed and ratified by the group in attendance. The constitution would be proposed as well as an election of officers. Officer duties and expectations would be discussed with motions from the floor being taken for positions. People would be encouraged to nominate themselves for positions. Speakers could be put in place to give a “testimony” of the effect that the IASC has had on their lives.

To expand on the idea even further, there are IASC alumni currently living in all 50 states and many foreign countries. The overall vision is that there could be alumni chapters in cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Washington, D.C. and others to help alumni stay connected and have a network of friends and contacts. 
What do you do now?  How do you become involved? 

We would like you to fill out some forms and give us some information about yourselves – how you’ve been active in the IASC and contact information to reach you in the future. We encourage you to join the IASC alumni association group on Facebook where you can see old pictures and get updates on what will be happening next.

Please feel free to talk to me after the session about how to get more involved or volunteer to help with this organization.

Thank you and I hope to meet many of you in the future.