In BBYO, caucusing has always been a special topic. It can only be lightly discussed, briefly mentioned, and holds a large impact on those around us. Taking the step to caucus can be hard: people drop, people slide, people change their caucus, the list goes on. Trust me, I’ve been through it. You may think it is the end of the world when someone runs against you, but it’s not! 

Here are 4 helpful tips to stay strong during an election season. 

1. Do NOT politick. Let me personally tell you, it is not worth it. If anything, it builds up the anxiety you may be having. It is important to keep to yourself and focus on you. Instead of talking to another candidate before elections, try working on your speech, designing your platform, and thinking of what goals you want to accomplish during the term.

2. Practice makes perfect! If you’re like me and tend to stutter when you speak to a large group of people, try practicing your speech in front of a mirror, a family member, or just to yourself when lying in bed. You want to be comfortable with what you’re saying, and feel the words rolling off your tongue on election day. Practicing things like this makes you feel more confident in what you’re saying, allowing you to be your best self when speaking.

3. Losing does not mean failure. Just because you lost your main caucus does not mean you are off board. That’s why it’s important to prepare a slide speech that you feel confident in. The feeling of standing outside the election room while another candidate is speaking can be intimidating. To help numb that fear, talk yourself through it with whoever you may be outside with. If you do end up not being elected and losing your slide, there are still nominations that may happen. If you do not want to accept a nomination, try talking to your chapter N’siah/Godol if there are chair or committee positions you can apply for! But most importantly, don’t become a ghost. The friendships you make in BBYO will still remain the same, alive & well. 

4. Don’t let other voices control you. Run for what you want to run for. It may be scary running against your best friend for chapter President (yes, I have personally been there), but it is important to hold your head high. Don’t worry about what theme their platform is, or how long their speech may be compared to yours, but focus on you. No matter what the election body votes on, keep in touch with that person. If you win, don’t let them become a “no-show” at programming, and if they win, don’t let yourself become a “no-show.” From personal experience, running against one of my chapter best friends actually brought me closer to them. Just because they may not be on board anymore, doesn’t mean I can’t speak with them. I take in her ideas, not ignore them, not let them control me, but help not only me, but the chapter as a whole. 

So, next time you’re scared during an election season, remember these tips, because to caucus yourself should be a dream, not a nightmare.