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New session officers take on various roles and responsibilities at CFOT.
By Erin Wikle –
Just over a month after arriving at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont (CFOT), the Joyful Intercessors Session nominated and elected its session officers, committee chairs and session representatives. The second-year Messengers of Light session officers guided the first-year cadets through the process of selecting the individuals they felt would best represent them through these roles.
“Cadet input is integral to life and leadership at the College for Officer Training,” said Major Rob Birks, CFOT assistant training principal. “The governance structure is key to things running smoothly and moving forward. These newly elected session officers will provide stellar leadership for their fellow Joyful Intercessors.”
Each session is represented by a “session office,” which is comprised of four life-time positions: president (Joshua Young), vice president (Claire O’Brien-Hawk), treasurer (Nicholas Helms) and secretary (Leah Fowler). Reporting directly to the president and vice president are five chairs representing the following committees: world services (Mandy Hall), others (Laura Fyn), stretcher bearers (Erin Wikle), design and apparel (Jennifer Acosta), health and wellness (Yonathan Escobar).
“Before training, my corps officers took me through a leadership training course. This helped me become aware of the many potential hazards of leading and learn helpful practices to remain spiritually healthy while in a leadership position,” said Young, the session president who functions as a liaison between administration and the session. “That being said, I realize the Lord still has much to teach me, and I look forward to this process over the next two years.”
Because of the specific nature and work of each committee, cadets are surveyed to determine their interest and willingness to serve on a particular committee. Committee chairs are encouraged to meet regularly with their respective sister-session chairs to ask questions, glean from their experience, and collaborate on mutually beneficial projects. Each session office meets with its committee chairs on a monthly basis, addressing the plans, work and specific needs of each committee.
The session representatives—James Fleming and Chris Wikle—serve on the Cadet Council, an advisory body that meets monthly to promote communication between the cadets and CFOT administration. The council promotes the best interest of the college and the cadet body through positive recommendations and planned projects by administration.
“To serve in this capacity and make a difference for my session and sessions to come will require I have my finger on the pulse of this place,” Fleming said. “This means I need to be prayerfully seeking God’s guidance, staying sensitive to people’s concerns, and intentionally loving them through it all. My prayer for our session is for patience, humility, kindness, and that we would go above and beyond to treat each other with love and respect.”
Both session presidents also serve on the council, acting as chair and co-chair, respectively. The session presidents also meet quarterly with Crestmont Council, advisory to CFOT Administration.
Session officers and session representatives must maintain a 3.0 and 2.0 cumulative GPA, respectively, and may not be placed on general probation during their time of service.
“I want to see in our session a group of people who are tuned in to the world around them and who respond with everything they’ve got,” said O’Brien-Hawk, session vice president. “I want our session to be excited about the ways they, individually, can represent Christ, utilizing all of their passions, experience, personal history, skills and opportunities.”
SESSION OFFICERS
President, Cadet Joshua Young
(Southwest Division)
Functions as a liaison between administration and class, may be called upon to speak at farewell and welcome meetings, officiates all session meetings, and handles session business; sits on Crestmont Council and Cadet Council.
“Before training, my corps officers took me through a leadership training course. This helped me become aware of the many potential hazards of leading and learn helpful practices to remain spiritually healthy while in a leadership position. That being said, I realize the Lord still has much to teach me, and I look forward to this process over the next two years.”
Vice President, Cadet Claire O’Brien-Hawk
(Southern California Division)
Serves in the absence of the President and supports the President during session meetings; directly supervises various committees and special projects.
“I want to see in our session a group of people who are tuned in to the world around them and who respond with everything they’ve got. I envision a people with quick eyes, actively searching the scene for ways they can get involved, not content to sit back and let the world pass by. I want our session to be excited about the ways they, individually, can represent Christ, utilizing all of their passions, experience, personal history, skills, and opportunities. I want a people alive to the prompting and resourcing of the Spirit.”
Treasurer, Cadet Nicholas Helms
(Northwest Division)
Responsible to collect and record any monies from session business, involved in all fundraising processes, keeps careful records of money received and expended while working closely with finance office.
“I hope to work with the other session officers and committee chairs to work toward clear and achievable goals through the different projects and fundraisers. I want to make sure we have an efficient system for keeping track of our finances so we can be as helpful as possible in meeting our world services goals. Most of all, I hope to serve as a leader who exemplifies Jesus Christ so others see him in me. I want our session to strive to always be like Jesus, striving for holiness and reaching out to those who need him.”
Secretary, Cadet Leah Fowler
(Southern California Division)
Takes minutes at session meetings and prepares them for approval and distribution, prepares agenda for session meetings, can produce and distribute session newsletter.
“I spent the last five years teaching at an elementary school in Australia and traveling extensively, and through that, was able to see the work of the international Salvation Army in many expressions. These experiences have challenged me to see the bigger picture of ministry, while also being convicted to build deep and lasting relationships with individuals. I believe these contrasting perspectives will help me uphold my duties as I serve, as well as the overwhelming levels of organization skills I learned teaching first-grade boys!”
SESSION COMMITTEE CHAIRS
World Services, Cadet Mandy Hall
(Del Oro Division)
Responsible for fundraising world service goals through special events and individual projects.
“I hope we can make World Services not just about raising money, but also about raising awareness. I want people to not just think of it as a duty, or just something we do, but to enjoy and be passionate about World Services: ‘[Creating] a world where people live in safe and sustainable communities in which differences are respected and basic needs are met.’ Hopefully our work here helps us as future officers to have a love for world services.”
Others, Cadet Laura Fyn
(Southern California Division)
Responsible for recognizing session birthdates, anniversaries and other special events such as incoming session welcome activities.
“I hope to make a difference over the next two years by encouraging others through acts of service. I want to do this not just by facilitating parties, celebrations and events through our committee here on campus, but to find ways to uplift others in the ‘everyday’ tasks. Above all, my ultimate desire is to inspire our session to embody the message of Romans 12:13 as we care for one another in divine hospitality—generously sharing the love that he first shared with each one of us.”
Stretcher Bearers, Cadet Erin Wikle
(Golden State Division)
Responsible for organizing session prayer meetings, worship services, devotions for session meetings, and encouraging session mates with spiritual needs.
“Never mind that we are in a place where officers and spiritual leaders are being raised up to serve, show compassion, and draw others into God’s kingdom. We will not be effective in any endeavor now or later without a united spirit of deep humility and love for the Father. My hope is to create time, space and opportunity for our session to come together for a single purpose—to seek God through prayer and praise—our greatest weapons against spiritual warfare.”
Design and Apparel, Cadet Jennifer Acosta
(Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division)
Responsible for session apparel/memorabilia, creating designs, securing vendors, collecting orders, etc.
“My goal is simple: to make us look good! On a more serious note—the goal of a great designer is to concisely convey a message (whether it be through a logo or an ad for a program) in a fun, attractive, yet professional manner. During these next two years, I hope to build a visual identity for the Intercessors that is memorable, meaningful, and unifies us as a session.”
Health and Wellness, Cadet Yonathan Escobar
(Southern California Division)
Responsible for coordinating session wellness activities and raising health awareness.
“With God’s help and guidance and through my training experience in the military, I hope I can make the right decisions when planning and making health programs. I hope to inspire my session mates to try to stay healthy, go to the gym, and attend a fitness program, not only on campus for the next two years at CFOT, but even after they are commissioned.”
SESSION REPRESENTATIVES
Cadet James Fleming
(Southern California Division)
“To serve in this capacity and make a difference for my session and sessions to come will require I have my finger on the pulse of this place. This means I need to be prayerfully seeking God’s guidance, staying sensitive to people’s concerns, and intentionally loving them through it all. My prayer for our session is for patience, humility, kindness, and that we would go above and beyond to treat each other with love and respect.”
Cadet Christopher Wikle
(Golden State Division)
“I have learned to listen to people and take their perspective seriously, even if it isn’t my own. I have learned this by working with people from all walks of life in different ministry positions, and in secular jobs.”
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