June 2004

James Ehrmann • Frustrated Planning

April 19, 2004

Sigma Nu kickball is fast approaching. Part of me is excited that the entire philanthropic effort will soon be over but another part of me is begging for more time to plan out all the details. Sigma Nu kickball has been our house’s philanthropy for the past three years, raising money to help fight testicular cancer. It’s produced such witty slogans as: "Sigma Nu kickball: kicking cancer in the balls" and this year’s effort, "Sigma Nu kickball: fighting testicular cancer, one ball at a time."

Sororities enter teams, they get rather intense for just playing kickball, and money is raised for a great cause. All in all, it makes for an exciting Saturday. So why has it been so tough to get this organized? As philanthropy chair, I’ve had a great deal of work, but I take special care in planning the details. I feel this is the house’s way of testing me in a leadership position, so I’m attempting to be as enthusiastic as possible.

However, it can be awfully difficult to mobilize more than 50 guys, solicit donations, recruit sororities, reserve fields, and purchase supplies and refreshments for the event. But, I do think this will turn out to be a successful event, especially when the organizational aspect is held up against numerous other philanthropies on campus. I can only hope that the amount of enjoyment people get out of the event reflects the amount of organization and planning that was thrust into it.

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