Pieces on a Board by Hosni Mubarak

Lately, I have been inexplicably remiss in respects to this blog spot. Work and school have been waging an unholy crusade against me, and my leisure time has been unfairly compromised. However, obligations are obligations, and a consummate professional never reneges on his/her commitments.

Prominent student organizations ascertain power through funding and membership. Sigma excels in both regards. It is spearheaded by a capable Executive Board and it excels due to the contributions of it's vast membership base. Let's start with the regular membership, which we refer to as the prospective members. They serve as the pawns on a chessboard. I don't mean pawns in a belittling sense--but pawns are reliable pieces which maneuver and execute throughout the chessboard. Without pawns, the more powerful pieces are undressed and exposed to the opponent. Sigma functions in this same regard. Without our prospective members, the Executive Board ceases to be significant. We are reduced to becoming a theatrical mockery without our prospective members--these members are the nervous system of Sigma Alpha Delta. If a pawn is diligent enough to traverse to the other side of the chessboard it receives a "promotion"; it can become a bishop, rook, knight or coronated as a queen. This is essentially what occurs at the end of every semester; members who have contributed immensely to the organization are usually elected to the Executive Board.

Now I want to give a meticulous assessment of our Executive Board and the pieces each individual embodies. Devin and Sharday, our talented Volunteering and Alumni Relation Chairmans are knights. Their versatility is boundless. They can manipulate their talents to accompany any task at hand. They're outspoken and revered board members, so they have the ability to supersede authority at any given point, but their humility prevents them from doing so. Just like a knight which can hover over the other pieces in a board, these individuals possess the same ability. But they do so with discretion. That is their greatest strength--their calculating reason combined with their contagious charisma.

Next we have our bishops; Belen and Alvin. Like bishops, their ray of vision can only cover half the field. But with a combined effort they can be domineering. The Marketing Committee and Business Events Committee are invariably paired together. They are pivotal toward the success of every event. This was witnessed in the Faculty Social. Belen and her committee effectively marketed the event and Alvin managed the logistical set-up of the entire spectacle. It was a sight to behold. Every aspect of the event was carefully tended too. These bishops proved to be a formidable duo and they were acknowledged by the rest of Sigma Alpha Delta for their efforts.

We can now transition into our rook; Craig and Inna, our Treasurer and Secretary. Craig is the steward of Sigma Alpha Delta. He handles the finances with the precision of a professional (okay, I am being a bit hyperbolic right now). Craig struggled at first, but with guidance he has acclimated into the role effortlessly. His performance has been shaky at times, but his effort is nothing short of commendable. Inna is a rook because she is fortified by her Assistant Secretaries Kalayer and Stephanie. They are ubiquitous. They attend every meeting and they record every incident. They are a three-headed owl prowling over the landscape which is Sigma.

Where do I stand? As the Vice President of Sigma Alpha Delta, what chess piece do I resemble? The Queen. But why? The Queen is the most aggressive piece on the chessboard. It's pugnacity never wavers. It can transcend the entire chessboard. It can be a difference-maker. However, it's power is it's undoing. A discreet Queen can protect it's King. An impetuous Queen is susceptible to being removed from the chessboard. The Queen needs to be restrained in all it's passion. It needs to contain it's apparent omnipotence. That is what I am specifically learning this semester. Moderation is the key. The Queen catches the eye of the opponent. The opponent is consistently leery of the Queen. That is why the Queen is subjected to disdainful scrutiny.

Lastly, we can coronate a King. Who else but Harb Johnson, President of Sigma Alpha Delta. Like a King he proceeds one step at a time. His tactics are judicious and well-thought out. He is circumspect of his surroundings. He prepares his moves months in advance and fortifies himself with reliable allies. Therefore his authority is unquestionable. Harb has prepared his presidential candidacy months in advance, he had an intricate set of plans which he mobilized without any impediments. Yes, he does commit a sudden inexplicable error here and there, but as a President, he has ruled with an impeccable record. Maybe his apparent flawlessness is a byproduct of the criticism his Vice Presidente receives? Remember, those who are busy criticizing others are occupied and do not have time to criticize you. Or maybe it is something he is well-deserving of? Only a few know the entire story, and in life, just like in Chess, it is very wise to be secretive about the internal relations of one's family or team.

My intention with this article is to provide a window for my readers into the complex world of leadership. Actually, leadership is an euphemism for power. In this world, one must maneuver through political manure, must fortify his/herself with dependable allies and must constantly remain vigilant of his/her surroundings. This world is intimidating to the meek--but it's appetizing to the shrewd. To me, the game Chess embodies all of the peaks and pitfalls of power. Wait, I must be crazy, what does Sigma Alpha Delta have to with power and chess? Sigma is an Honor Society which attached itself to one specific College, so in appearance, Sigma and this intimidating "power world" should have no correlation. But in reality, power is synonymous with everything we are apart of; from the household to our place of employment we witness individuals exercising power in some capacity. Sigma is no different.So with that said, I would like to conclude this adventurous diatribe and convey my good wishes to you all.