Maxishappy As I said, this is just my personal opinion. I completely understand why there’s a vision that allows a CBO to serve for up to three years, and I support that too. Having continuity is a big advantage. For someone like me or Louis, who already knows the foundation and has strong relationships with the team, it’s easier to keep the momentum going each year. It’s definitely smoother for an experienced CBO to lead into the next year. But I also feel there are so many people in our community who are eager to represent and bring fresh perspectives, and that’s important too.
In terms of challenges, I’ve always mentioned that being on camera is something I struggle with. I’m not a natural, and I tend to overthink things because of the responsibility involved. It’s not just about delivering a message. It’s about representing the community accurately and considering how different groups will interpret what I say. For example, I often want to share update timelines with the community, but in reality, that responsibility stays with the team. It’s not something a CBO should be handling, and I really want everyone to understand that since it’s just not the best approach.
I’m proud of the work I do behind the scenes, and although being on camera isn’t always comfortable, I won’t step back from it just because it’s outside my comfort zone. Sometimes responsibilities mean doing things that push us. That said, if someone is naturally good at delivering these messages, they could probably make an even bigger impact.
When it comes to setting up the next CBO for success, I think it’s important to give them a clear view of how the role works and help them build confidence with the team from the start. This way, they’re ready to represent the community fully and bring their own strengths into the role.
