Sitting on the cold tile floor of the atrium, staring at purples and teals smeared across the poster paper that would soon be hung in the atrium for all of the student body to see, I sat bewildered as a freshman seeing the power of publicity firsthand. As I watched juniors and seniors share their art and design skills on paper, I wanted to help. I approached the head of the severely under-appreciated physical publicity committee and asked what she needed assistance with. She responded with: “What can you do?”
“What can you do?” This phrase has given me drive for the past four years, as I have drawn posters, volunteered at schools and clinics, run twitter countdowns, and gone door-to-door singing carols. I have been immersed in the community of Enloe Charity Ball by constantly asking myself what I could do for my community. When Charity Ball planning went virtual for 2020-2021, I found myself constantly scrolling on social media, and I texted the small, but sure, publicity team to plan the social media countdown and livestream of the beneficiary reveal to maximize the impact for the 2021 season.
“What can you do?” Junior year is notoriously stressful, but this phrase shifted my thinking around my circumstances. As we fundraised for the prevention of youth homelessness, I poured my efforts and energy into Enloe Charity Ball because I knew kids 5 miles down the road at Wrenn House were more stressed. As Siri Dronavalli constantly asked me this question, I tirelessly publicized the message of Charity Ball via our social media and became practically an expert at algorithms. While I knew nothing about blogging, I took on a job no one else wanted, because I knew that within the community of Enloe Charity Ball, learning new things about yourself, the community, and the world outside of yourself is intrinsic to the process.
“What can you do?” As I began my job as Vice President of Publicity, I ask myself this question for a final time. While my job is detailed by only a few lines in our constitution, one must step outside of themselves to truly define their role as a leader in their council, their committee, and their community. When someone on council comes up to me during our meetings, with a spark in their eyes, I understand what that burnt-out senior casually said to me three years ago that gave me my passion for Charity Ball, that gave me purpose to come to every meeting.
When I am no longer a part of Enloe Charity Ball, I will continue to implore this same question upon myself every time I lose sight of what is important: becoming the catalyst for change. The willingness to serve goes unnoticed, but using your gifts is essential for the community to thrive and prosper.
Chloe Johnson
Vice President of Publicity and Communications