Sunday, January 26, 2014

January 17th Meeting Reflection Prompt

Name of Meeting: Communities, Teams, & Groups
  • Even though I was absent from this Cohort meeting my team members never cease to amaze me. Their ability to reevaluate our service project situation and get things back on track was a true demonstration of flexibility and perseverance. I am more than excited to pull details together over these next few weeks and accomplish something very special.
  • From the content of the chapter I was able to analyze the true meaning of communities and learn how recognizing and utilizing diverse backgrounds and varied experiences create a well rounded cohesive unit.
  • I also learned the term "serial reciprocity."I find this concept to be very important to a communities existence and structure because often times individuals depend on each other to return a favor out of the kindness of their hearts or their "unwritten" duty to do so.
My idea of an ideal community would be one in which respect ranks supreme. A community to me thrives upon individual differences and varied experiences so interaction and collaboration amongst differing personalities are what make us grow as people in a multitude of ways. I feel that by experiencing or applying the four stages from the text (pseudocommunity, chaos, the realization of barriers to listening and understanding, and true, authentic community) a group of people can accomplish such great things while solidifying a deep bond in contrast to forced interaction. 

To explain my definition of a team I will use a word that one of my business teacher's included in the fall to differentiate teams from groups. Synergy. This word by definition states that the end result is greater than the sum of separate effects. I believe that team often times come together to accomplish a specific task as a unit while a community is a collection of people whose job is never done. A community is always there for its members while being more of a living body that evolves and adapts to overcome all challenges or obstacles. 


So excited to put together all of our amazing decorations!!!