So here, in my 13th year of membership, I think I can try to explain why this unlucky year, will be my best yet. On April 17th, 1999 with a group of other young men, I became a member of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. It has been an interesting, fantastic and sometimes indescribable experience.
I swore that after my 10th year I would stop counting, and not turn into that Brother who celebrates Betaversaries like we are still 21 years old... last year I had the honor of speaking at Colorado State and Metro State for founders week. Today won't be a huge celebration, but I did get to reflecting about my time in Sigma Lambda Beta.
This year is a big Beta year for me... I will have the honor of convening my third convention, the most of any elected fraternity president. This year I end my time on my fraternity board, six years in total, five as president, and it was stressful, invigorating, frustrating and and and... I can't think of all the great ways to describe this experience. For example this weekend I will get a tour of the White House, set up by one of our alums. That type of stuff, unmeasurable and describable.
Many Brothers always say they love the fraternity more each year on their annual anniversary... I really can't say that. For sure I don't love the fraternity any less, I think I just love it different each year. It's changed, and its grown with me, matured as my needs have, and morphed into the experiences that meet my life. As a father, all us Beta dads posting pictures online of the kids, talking about the cost of daycare... as a professional sitting around with Brothers talking about the best place to get work dress shirts, or about the pants you loved so much you bought em in every color available. Yep... we're all growns up now and we're all growns up.
I am looking forward to less conference calls at night, more time with my family, maybe actually taking a vacation with my vacation time instead of Beta trips... I hope to still stay in contact with so many of the members I have met, and I hope that I don't become a bitter ex-president mad and saying, "Well when I was president...".
So what am I doing tonight? Interestingly doing what I do best, going to a program, what started it all... but tonight I am getting a special honor. The IUSB Student Government renamed the Student Leader of the Year award after me... What you say? That is what I said, yes I am way too young for such an honor. From now on the "Centellas Leadership Award" plaque will be hung up on my former campus. If it had not been for Sigma Lambda Beta I would of never been an involved campus leader, I would not of changed my career track, I would not of had all the great opportunities.
In my years in the fraternity I have gotten to do a lot of interesting things... the college road trips (as an undergrad I visited 21 campuses with chapters), as an alumnus traveling around the country (I have been to every region), rides from the airport, welcome parties, going away parties, most importantly graduation parties, weddings, birth announcements... all the great things about having great friends, ERRR... Having Great Brothers.
It hasn't always been gravy... the years dealing with difficult Brothers, or being challenged over the decisions I have made as a leader. Learning more about myself, learning that no matter what, change is the only constant.
So who knows when I will actually stop counting the years... but for now, another big thank you to my fraternity, my Brothers and my family and friends that have supported my time on my board.
PEACE. /\B.