Around this time last year, Deadbolt reached out and said that SouthWake was becoming a “Real Region” in 2019 (we’d previously just been a part of F3 Raleigh); part of that process was having 1/2/3F Q’s (as well as a Nantan / Weasel Shaker / Comz) and would I be willing to step into the 3rdF leadership role.  Without a doubt I accepted.  So now, with 2019 winding down and in the process of bringing along a Co-Q for 2020, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on the year…

In December 2018, a small group of us met together to try and answer the question: “What does a healthy 3rdF look like for SouthWake”.  A year later, I feel like we’ve realized that vision in a lot of ways (and in many ways, we have a *long* way to go).

Primarily: We wanted the men of F3 to be better people (not just faster, stronger, leaner: better) because they were involved in F3.  We also wanted to see Holly Springs / Fuquay-Varina / JoCo be a different place because F3 is here.

One of the first things we did was the “Slack is Back” campaign.  For those who don’t want to hear it again, skip ahead.  But I think it’s worth saying one last time.  Facebook (aside from being a scourge on society and just the worst) is like going to a huge festival or stadium.  Yeah, *everybody’s there*, but it’s tough to see the people you really want to see unless you make a lot of effort (and tune out an epic amount of noise from all the other people).  Slack was a solution that was like going to a dorm or apartment complex — it’s a little more out of the way, but you know the people you see when you’re there are the people you *meant* to see.  I think we’re finally over it (gif wars notwithstanding) and most of the region knows that, if they want to be involved and informed, Slack is where we can find each other.

Next up, Breathtaker.  I’ve written at length on this already: (Why Breathtaker?  ) so will skip it.

We also had QSource.  This was 52 weeks of leadership training.  We started with 3 groups and 1 is still kind of limping along to the finish.  But, despite not making it all 52 weeks, I saw some awesome relationships being strengthened and I hear a lot of people using the “lingo” of QSource.  So, while we may not have finished the race, I think our region got better because of this.  (I hear it recently got released in book form — I found the content to be extremely valuable in case anyone is looking for holiday reading).

But success went beyond those — our goal was to #accelerate our region, and I think some things over the last few months have demonstrated how far we’ve come.  The organic, immediate, and significant outflow of support for food kitchens for Thanksgiving is awesome — that’s the kind of thing F3 is *meant* for:  A PAX recognized a need, reached out, and we stepped up and supported in a big way.  I know we’re going to come through for the Oakwood 24 in December as well.

Last, I want to talk about Shield Locks.  There’s another post on this coming soon (and a stupid challenge to boot!), but what makes me the most excited about looking at 2019 is the number of small groups of guys who have banded together for a common purpose.  A shield lock might start out as the guys who make sure you’re there at 5:30, but the goal goes way beyond that —- it’s the guys who call you out when you’re not #accelerating across the spectrum of your life.  #IronSharpensIron, but it takes a real commitment to let someone else have that role in your life.

Next Year

I’m very happy to announce that our very own UTI will be taking on 3rdF Q responsibilities in 2020.  We will officially change over in July, but he will be Co-Q for the first part of the year as I step away from the role.  I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with him this year and he’s got a great perspective on who we are and who we can be (and really, you guys deserve someone who measures his meat consumption in miles).

I truly appreciate the opportunity to lead in 2019.  It’s been a growing experience for me.  I’ve learned a lot personally about leadership and believe me when I say the challenges of this year have been humbling, frustrating, but ultimately very worthwhile.  I know I’ve frustrated the hell out of some of you this year and I am very sorry that my “leadership” has been a source of irritation over the course of the year.

I can’t say it well enough, often enough, or loud enough, but: I truly thank you guys for F3.  Our group is doing great things.  I’m proud to be a part of it and can’t wait to see where we go next year.