I am the Provincial Chief Squire, an elected position on the provincial board of the Columbian Squires of Ontario.

The Columbian Squires is the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus. It is a Catholic young men’s leadership program. The program is international in scope; wherever there are Knights of Columbus there are Squires. It works on developing leadership skills in four areas: team-building, charitable work, spiritual activities and membership recruitment.

In Ontario, the provincial board is elected by the delegate Squires each year at the annual convention to run the order for the next year.

This board works on keeping all circles active and thriving while starting new circles across the province.

I was on this board the previous year as notary (secretary) and I was comfortable with running for the same position at the election last June.

But God challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. Through prayer, speaking with others and reflection I realized that God wanted me to run for this position.

At first I was reluctant. I wondered why I couldn’t have one of the easier jobs and I tried to ignore the constant signs which pointed me to running for Provincial Chief. I had other things I wanted to do instead and I knew they wouldn’t be possible, due to the time commitment. I was also nervous about my capability as a leader.

Being Provincial Chief Squire is no easy feat. It involves leading five other young men on the board, consulting with adult leaders on a regular basis, maintaining a good relationship with past executive members, developing a vision, motivating a team, working through conflicts, integrating people’s strengths and much more.

I came to realize that I needed to trust God. I decided to go with His will, and eventually everything felt right. It became easy to campaign because I knew I was called to this position. The things I originally wanted to do started to seem less and less important.

When I gave my speech, I felt completely confident in what I was saying. I won the election and my role as Chief has become what I identify with. It’s my vocation and I treat it as my job just as others would treat a paying job.

I spend more time on this commitment than anything else and I have to make sacrifices frequently, but it’s all worth it. I’ve grown because of it and it has taught me many things that I couldn’t have learned any other way.

I’ve made a lot of friends and have become better at public speaking, setting plans, being organized and, most of all, seeking God’s counsel in all my decisions. I have learned that when you do your best as a service to God, He’ll never let you down.

(Robertson attends All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ont.)