Dear Delegates,

Another great conference awaits you this summer! The Presiding Officers have been planning since earlier this year in order to prepare for your arrival on the Mountain and to facilitate what we hope to be great and thoughtful debate and discussion during the one week we have together.

Last year, it was an honor for me to be selected as a Presiding Officer. It was, by far, one of the most humbling experiences of my entire life. Out of a handful of delegates who were perhaps far more qualified than I, I was selected to help lead and guide a conference that has meant so much to me.

It is with the deepest regret and utmost sadness that I must inform you of my decision to respectfully step down as a Presiding Officer for the 2010 YMCA Conference on National Affairs. This was not an easy decision at all, and most of you who know me know that there is almost nothing that would stop me from participating in this wonderful opportunity.

As many delegates who have come before me, I have been instilled with the desire to serve my country in the military. Earlier this year, I enlisted in the New York National Guard to begin my journey to become an officer. Although there was speculation as to when I would ship out to Basic Training, I was informed recently that my Basic Training would commence at the beginning of June, overlapping with the entirety of the Conference.

One of the things I have learned and perhaps one of the most important facets of CONA is the idea of servant leadership. As I pondered as to what I would do for the past few months, I realized that with servant leadership, and with service in general, there are sacrifices that one has to make. Unfortunately, one of things I have found out in my short time out in the “real world” is that I can’t make everything work out.

I know some of you will be upset with my decision, and not understand why I am taking this route, but I feel that I have been called to serve my country in this capacity.

I hope you understand and I know that you will all make this conference better than any preceding it!

Sincerely,

Ryan Cho

California

P.S. Mr. Grafton Sizemore from Kentucky, chosen as the 1st Alternate last year, will serve in Ryan’s place.