Olivia Ball - Week 1 - Please Respond to People’s Texts

    One thing that I have learned this past week, is that I overestimated the level of respect that some people have for one another. As a 16 year old, who is a junior in high school, I was assumed that other people around my age would think the same as me. I was very much wrong. 

    Without going into too much detail, I am going to share an experience that I had. As president of my BBYO chapter, I have to make sure that everyone else on board attends all events and communicates what they are doing with me regularly. Meaning, I have to make sure all board members are registered for this Sunday’s training program. When only one girl was not signed up, I decided to reach out along with some other people involved. I sent a text... left on read. Skyler, a regional board member sent a text, ... left on read. Claire, another regional board member, ... left on read. We are three humans trying to do our jobs that we were elected to do and this girl is not only reading our texts, but not responding. 

    Again, to most people this might just seem like a random girl not answering her phone, nothing is wrong there. However, this girl took the time to run for a position, which is a lot of work, and in doing so she made the commitment to A. do her job, B. attend all events, C. communicate, and many other things that aren’t important for this post. 

    At the end of the day, my lesson to everyone who reads this is, if you don’t respond to someone’s text within 24 or 48 hours max, that is rude and disrespectful. Everyone has a lot going on in their lives, and they took the time to reach out to you, so you should do the same in return. You never know what that person might have to say to you, and their message could be the highlight of your day.