AYON AGM- election a lesson learn

“Harder I try to forget, more vividly the memory provokes and I realize that I have missed a big opportunity, it is all over.”

 Annual general meeting (AGM) of the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON) was held on August 19, 2012 (Sunday) at Pokhara. AYON is a national network of 86 youth-led organizations in Nepal. It aims to bring youth organizations together to provide a common platform for collaboration, cooperation, joint actions and collective endeavors between youth organizations in Nepal. I am highly obliged to my organization, Creative Youth Society (CYS) for recommending me to participate in the AGM on behalf of CYS. I always wanted to make my participation a worthy one and this year having an agenda of formation of new AYON executive board I was much excited and committed.

I was determined to take one of the major five positions and contribute to AYON and the overall Nepalese youth movement. I had a profound liking to the post of General Secretary and looking upon myself I thought it suited me the most. My campaign was not so long nor had I announced my candidacy in a particular position or asked for votes. Apparently, my candidacy was weak due to the above-mentioned reasons but it was intentional on my part as I was ready to step down for better candidate or for unanimous consensus. Importantly, I was not just trying my luck but was much serious, mentally prepared, and had adjusted time and everything accordingly.

As I made up my mind to take the leadership at AYON, I consulted with close friends, occasionally visited the AYON office, understood the existing leadership, got involved in AYON projects/campaigns, and read the mentality of each other. I didn’t talk with the member organizations personally except in some programs and gatherings. Two days before the election I volunteered to arrange a bus for the members who were going to Pokhara from Kathmandu. It served two purposes, one, it was fun going together; two, it was a better opportunity to interact with friends. I never said a word regarding my nomination at the bus nor did I ask for votes. After reaching Pokhara, I tried to interact with as many people as possible, saved their number, and memorized their names, organization, interests, etc. I also made my presence felt by asking genuine questions in the leader’s forum and the close session. After I registered my nomination I tried a few new things, I wrote my name and designation in a sheet of paper and gave it to everyone, also sent an SMS to everyone I knew.

“My dream was to see the dreams of each of the organizations dream come true” My vision was clear and I was communicating it. It was getting better and better and I could sense the overwhelming response coming my way. My resolution was to build the capacity of the AYON member organization. Having worked in youth issues for more than seven years, I had a better understanding of the youth issues and I always felt that the youth issues are multidimensional and cross-cutting. I carried the point that the member organizations should lead in their field of interest and AYON should help them by all means. I knew that I could contribute by lifting the organizational capacities and bridging them with donor agencies as believed on my personal competence and diplomacy. At the time, I found myself like a politician at an election giving cheap smile and greeting everyone with high expectations. I was the second last person to cast the vote.

 The Vote Counting was a real drama. Each member organization had one voting right and altogether 79 votes were cast. Six representatives were selected for the counting of votes together with the Election Committee. The results came out for every 20 vote counts. At the count of 21 votes, I was 3 votes behind (I was on 9 and my contender on 12), which made me a bit tensed. I made the calculation in my mind if the situation continues I will loose by a good margin of 15 votes which I could never believe. The situation changed at the count of 40 votes in which I was leading by 4 votes and again at the count of 60 votes, my lead narrowed to 3 votes. Having the lead of 3 votes and only 19 votes remaining to count I was not only excited but could sense the gravity of the responsibility coming on my shoulders. The situation changed dramatically after the counting finished. All the voters and the candidates were asked to come in and the Election Committee announced their results in which I was 1 vote behind. First I could not believe it though I controlled myself, congratulated the winners, and returned to the room.

 It was tantalizing as I was so close to being the General Secretary of AYON. It was 1 vote that separated me from the triumph and shattered all my vision, mission, goals, and promises. I try to comfort myself by thinking this must be the divine message for me to go higher and spend more time on my professional career and family commitments.

 I talked with plenty of friends after the result. Most of them said, though separated by a vote I had won the hearts of many and it was not a loss. Some blamed it was due to some treacherous friends I lost, some said it was rejected vote, while others referred to bad luck. I was asked not to feel bad but I thought I am myself to be blamed for the failure. My preparation was not very long. Had I known before that I would regret it like this I would have worked much harder. My performance at cocas was not up to my expectation. I could have communicated my idea more lucidly and eloquently. Besides there were plenty of friends eager to campaign me in the election but I didn’t ask them for spreading favor. I also didn’t like to consult the seniors just in the time of need and moreover, my bad habit is that I try to do my things on my own.

 Back biting of the opponent was an easy option for me as a rumor regarding his mismanagement and political affiliation was wide spread but I didn’t like to capitalize on it. Yes, I rather thought that having already worked for two years he has already given his best inputs so a suitable candidate having the zeal and prior knowledge on youth issues should be chosen as General Secretary.

The worst thing was the backbiting that went behind me. Some spread the rumors that our organization big, some said Brabim form CYS had already worked as General Secretary on the last tenure; some said GS Brabim left AYON before his tenure while worst of all some friends campaigned not to let the position for the organization from Kathmandu Valley. Despite all these, I am happy that it was only the difference of 1 vote and I was so close to winning the election. Though it is a huge setback for me, I reckon failure greatest teacher and I have learned a big lesson in life.