Lessons from the Past Help Shape UIL’s Future
By Charles Breithaupt | Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:54 AM
The UIL Centennial Committee began planning for the celebration of the 100th birthday of the UIL nearly two years ago. The first stage of this celebration was a student leadership conference held in conjunction with the UIL Legislative Council summer meetings. The highlight of the conference and the Council meetings was the presentation by these students we called the Elite 100.
The Elite 100 was made up of 100 of the best and brightest students in our state. Nominated by their principals, these students represented those who currently participate in UIL activities. Their presentations to the Council were significant and served the purpose of opening a dialogue regarding the direction of the League for the next century.
Listening to the desires of our students is an important step in assuring that our activities remain viable. After all, these activities belong to the students. While school leaders sponsor and administer extracurricular activities, if students are not interested in what we offer or how we run them, we risk losing their participation.
The students of the Elite 100 expressed gratitude for the activities already offered. They suggested several new activities as well as modifications to the processes of current activities.
League staff is studying each of the items presented by the students in June. An analysis of each presentation will be reported to the Legislative Council during the October meeting.
During the first six months as Executive Director of the UIL, I have been asked what my vision is for the League. This question resonates with our entire staff and me. We believe that while recognizing and honoring the efforts of the first 100 years is of great importance, we also realize the unique opportunity that faces us.
In the planning process for the future it has been important to recognize key ingredients that must be included in those plans. First we must remember the lessons learned from previous directors and administrators. Each of our previous administrations have waded through tumultuous times. Faced with litigation, difficult legislation and changing cultures and demographics, the League has been able to change and prosper with the times.
The UIL has modified its rules, and has remained relevant, even though significant events have caused structural changes to our rules. The incorporation and enforcement of several state laws such as no pass-no play and the abolition of rules limiting non-school play had significant impact on the participants and their sponsors. Yet, the League has continued to prosper.
Another factor of great importance is the inclusion of school administrators to the process. Great ideas from staff can fall on deaf ears in the field, unless those ideas receive a proper sounding board.
A distinction must be made between ideas generated by staff and the desires of our schools. While staff could present many excellent proposals, unless these proposals meet the approval of the schools who sponsor them, they will not succeed.
There is a delicate balance in leadership that requires proper analysis. Schools expect our staff to provide proper leadership through initiatives that both protect them and give them opportunity for growth. Proposals that aren't properly analyzed can lead schools into valleys from which they can never recover.
Many ideas shared by our staff and myself look great on paper. However, caution must be given to any proposal that would be contrary to the desires of our membership. At the end of the day we must always remember that the schools make the rules. And while that sounds trite in some circles, it has been true throughout the history of the League.
School administrators also must be alert to the wishes and desires of students and parents. While change is not always welcomed, it is sometimes necessary. Keeping an ear to the ground enables us to understand the shifts in attitudes or interests. Listening to students is an important factor in the development of plans for the future.
As we continue to formulate our vision for the future, we must trust our instincts. We have to studiously consider every proposal, we have to listen to our membership and we must have courage to make the tough decisions when the time comes.
Making courageous decisions does not always meet with acceptance. Our staff understands that we will not always be popular with the decisions we must make. In a recent leadership conference I asked them to embrace four characteristics.
1. Make your word impeccable.
2. Don't take things personally.
3. Don't assume anything.
4. Always do your best.
With these tools at their disposal, I believe our staff is properly equipped to deal with the intricacies of decision-making. The talent and passion our staff has for the students, coaches, directors, sponsors, administrators and parents of our activities will be key ingredients in developing a plan that takes us into the next century.
So, what is my vision? Essentially, my vision is to allow our great staff to work through the established processes, listening to all parties and making balanced recommendations to the UIL Legislative Council. In this way, we can assure that all stakeholders have been included and not forgotten in our zeal to move forward. At the same time, we will continue to examine trends and shifts in our industry so that we will be the flagship organization that many expect us to be.
This much I know to be true. Our organization has endured through 100 years of excellent service. As long as we continue to remember that the only thing we have to offer is service, we will do well in the next century. New ideas, fresh passion, tremendous energy and solid thought processes will enable us to be successful only if we remain true to our core. That core is our belief in our schools and the students who represent them. That is my vision. Hopefully, it is one we can share.