Earning a leadership role within my chapter

[sweptbystars]

My chapter recently did officer slating. It was an extremely long process, since there were a lot of issues concerning a few of the executive board's members' ability to represent the chapter well, and electing suitable replacements. Since my chapter is only a few months old, and is still in the process of getting its official charter, there has been very few opportunities to step into leadership roles. In my honest opinion, most of the appointments we have had to our executive board and cabinet so far have been due to popularity/the loudest (but not necessarily strongest) voices in the room.

While I wouldn't say my chapter is my life, it has become a huge part of my life and has changed my life for the better. I try to be as involved as I can be, given the limited scope of opportunities available. I'd say I'm a pretty recognizable face within my chapter, and I go out of my way to make large contributions. I don't desire to be president, or even vice president, and I am not the best person to be in charge of money or philanthropy, but I do value sisterhood immensely and could easily step into any of those related roles.

I've never been the most popular person in the room. But I'm no where near as disliked as some of the members who jeopardize our risk management. I'll get votes, but never get a unanimous appointment from the chapter. Whether for the right or wrong reason, it always seems like there is someone better. All of my life I've always been second best. Since I can't physically nominate myself or campaign for a position, what can I do earn my way to one of the positions I desire?

I'm one of the older members of my chapter, and I would hate feeling like I didn't contribute or accomplish something major. Unfortunately, some of our sisters who graduate this and next year (and are very deserving) weren't appointed to leadership roles and won't ever have the chance. I'd be so sad if that were to be me. I feel like I've accomplished so much just being a founding member of my chapter, but I know I can contribute more than that.