Setting Our Sights High

     On Saturday, October 4, the 14-15 Scarlet Guard Board of Directors had their annual Fall retreat. For the first time ever, the retreat was held at UNL's Outdoor Challenge Course. The BOD participated in a number of team building and trust exercises before heading to the Alpine Tower, a 50-foot tall wooden hourglass structure. BOD members belayed, climbed and encouraged each other every step of the way. At the course, we were able to identify our strengths and weaknesses as a group. During the team building exercises, we were all very dedicated, driven, and eager to achieve our goal, but at times our organization and communication were lacking. Making note of these issues will help us be more effective leaders and have more efficient Board meetings.

     After taking advantage of the challenge course, BOD members met back at the Wick Alumni Center to eat lunch and discuss the mission, purpose, and future of Scarlet Guard. It was the group's first chance to really brainstorm without limits, and the results were fantastic. During the time at the Challenge Course and again during our more formal meeting, BOD members who had previously kept to themselves emerged as leaders and produced innovative and effective ideas. No opinion was shot down. Instead, input from others was used as building blocks to achieve a common goal.

     With a new internal structure and new interim adviser, the Scarlet Guard Board of Directors has deemed this year a "building year". We want to take this year to step back, look at things from the 10,000-foot-above level, and lay the foundation for where our group will go in the future. After seeing the dedication and encouragement from the BOD members as their peers challenged themselves to climb the Alpine tower and achieve the group's goals, I cannot wait to see how we all improve individually, as a Board, and how that makes us rise as a strong student organization.