F3 ENC Nant’an Transition – Our Why

There are two parts to this – the old and the new. The old by Bono, the new by Tonka.

Bono’s Transition

Almost 18 months ago, Papa Smurf talked to me about taking on the role of Nant’an. It’s now time that the final duty of that role be taken care of. That of giving it away.

This opportunity to serve and lead as Nant’an of ENC has been one of the most rewarding opportunities that I have had in the 42 years I’ve been alive. It is also been one of the most challenging opportunities as well.

We have seen tremendous expansion and growth in ENC, and we have also seen good AOs that needed to shut down or pause. We were hit by a second 500 year flood, and this time we were able to respond as a community of men in a response that leaders in Greenville still talk about. We saw the men of Carterico and New Bern launch new Regions. We also saw Wilson fail to take hold for the second time. We saw Grow Ruck 02  come to Eastern NC and a band of Freakin’ Pirates unite from across several regions that will serve F3 east of I-95 for years. We also saw Papa Smurf, our first Nant’an become physically weaker during his battle with ALS to only see his spirit and heart grow stronger as he taught us how to live life and “press on”.

Now it’s time to give it away and identify the leader we will choose to follow as our next Nant’an. I am not going anywhere, and will continue to be active in ENC. For the last 5+ years, I have pursued a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and now the final dissertation is all that stands in the way of completing that journey. I owe it to my family to spend as much time with them as possible because this final stage is brutal with the time commitment. There have also been some opportunities with GrowRuck and The Iron Project that would keep me engaged and leading in different ways. We are in a good position as a region and part of leading is making sure the organization is healthier after the leader steps away.

During that first transition 18 months ago, we decided on a few important things to make sure the transition was as smooth as possible. Here is the link to the backblast that Papa Smurf and I wrote to capture that first Transition of a Nant’an. One of the things we learn from other regions was that an election is not the way to choose the next Nant’an. Men have to choose to follow him and the best way to do that is to identify a man already leading in different ways.

The role of the Nant’an is a little different. Where Site Qs and even Regional Qs have a lot of flexibility in identifying and training the man to take their role, that of the Nant’an requires more buy in and conversation. Here’s how that process worked this year. Our regional Qs were individually asked who they would follow. We talked at our meetings and some solid #HIM were discussed. In the end, the Regional Qs all looked to one man who agreed to serve.

Tonka will serve as our next F3 ENC starting Friday, Sept 1st. That will give us time to transfer some of the F3 Nation communication tools and make sure we are able to communicate the transfer to the Pax.

Tonka has been a friend since first posting together. He actually asked me what my favorite band is to name me Bono. He taught me to enjoy running with the 6 by inviting me to run an extra credit 5k after the Commons one Sunday and sticking with me as my brain and body shut down. During that run, we talked about our roles as dads to make sure our girls were tough, as our brides made sure they had hearts. He has modeled being vulnerable and building trust from that. He has had a vision for our 1st F that is uncanny in saying what needs to be said and finding the right Site Qs to lead it. He has been one of the few men that will challenge me when I have a crazy idea and clearly can explain why. The why matters when trying to lead men who don’t have to follow you. In fact it’s one of the few reasons men will CHOOSE to follow another. Why matters and that is some of our WHY for this transition.

If you have questions, please contact YHC or Tonka.

With love and service,

Bono

Tonka’s Commencement

A few weeks ago Bono asked me to be our Nantan. It was a familiar conversation because it was only 18 months ago I asked him the same questions as Papa Smurf was transitioning out of the role. Having been part of the early evolution of F3 ENC and serving as the 1st F Q for over two years, I have seen how F3 works in the lives of men. I’ve seen men reclaim their health, find happiness, define purpose, become intentional in their marriage and fatherhood, accomplish fantastic physical, spiritual, and emotional feats. I have seen the miracles in my life and the lives of others and that is why I believe in the mission.

Following a week of reflection and a discussion with my M, I finally gave Bono the “Aye!” I am humbled by this opportunity. My hat is off to Smurf and Bono for their servant leadership and their ability to live 3rd. I can only hope to be a fraction of the leader that those two were. F3 defines a Nant’an as the cultural/spiritual leader within a starfish modeled organization who influences through Vision, Articulations, Persuasion, and Exhortation (VAPE). That is a big definition in a short sentence. It means to me that the Nantan is a facilitator of the PAX’s will and the path on which we choose to achieve the mission. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the PAX in a new capacity and I look forward to the new challenges, lessons, and friendships to come.