Making the Right Moves with TOPS: Rank & File

RANKS on a chess board are the horizontal rows, and FILES are the vertical columns. Nothing special, just terms used to help players orient themselves to a POSITION on the board. I never really gave it much thought and was surprised that the eight rows and eight columns had a name.

The terms RANK and FILE come from the military, referring to the formation of soldiers. The key is that this formation is essential for maintaining discipline in exercises, which translates to readiness.

Over the past years, the terms have come to mean “the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leader.” My experience in TOPS has shown me there is nothing ordinary about our members or our struggles with obesity. We are all unique.

Shortly after I became a member, I started facilitating chapter meetings. I was the emcee at our State Recognition Day and soon became a Coordinator. This all happened during my first ten years as a member.

Sixteen years after joining, I was fortunate to be selected as the fifth President of TOPS Club, Inc. I went from a chapter officer to being a Coordinator and then President. But you must be wondering why I am refracting on the POSITIONS I have held and currently hold.

As I navigated my OPENING on my journey to losing weight, some thought there was an ADVANTAGE to being an officer, Field Staff or President. It was like each move, I had somehow gained knowledge that was going to make things easier. Others did not understand how I could be President without first being what used to be called a Regional Director, or at least serving on the TOPS Board of Directors first.

There is no special COMBINATION. There is no entitlement attached to a chapter officer, Field Staff or President. When I was afforded “special treatment” or was started to be treated differently in each POSITION, I reminded people that I am a member of TOPS first and I do not pretend to know everything. I also struggle like anyone else.

While the terms RANK and FILE have become a phrase to describe “ordinary” members of an organization, every TOPS member is not ordinary. As I mentioned, we are all unique. That is the strength of TOPS, the unique character of our members. There is always someone who says something to help somebody with their next STRATEGY.

In closing, just to prove how perceptions can change, “spelling and grammar check” is stating that I should change RANK and FILE to ORDINARY. Maybe in other organizations, but not in TOPS.