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!!!

November 16th- Leadership Academy

•  I learned that individual understanding is truly vital to personal leadership growth and leading others. 

• I was able to learn about my other group members and how they feel values and passion play a role in their lives.

• Lastly I was able to have a greater appreciation for how all of the elements can be applied to reaching goals many years in the future. 

My favorite part of leadership academy was having the structure of the booklet but integrating the intimacy of a small group setting. It surprised me that more people did not attend.What I will be truly taking away from this experience is a deepened respect for the phrase "get comfortable being uncomfortable." I intend to apply that to the rest of my time here at BGSU to push myself to my potential.

Values:priorities both core and circumstantial that influence the way people makes decisions.
By identifying our top 10 and narrowing them down, I believe it forced us to really determine what was most important or most present in our lives.
Ethics: the guiding principles which individuals use to determine what decisions are right and wrong.
Through the case studies and discussion we were able to see how difficult these decisions may be but how important being congruent really is.
Commitment: determined by the intensity and duration of an action from an individual.
When we were able to combine our values and passions to form our future goals I felt that was truly representative of our character and intentions as leaders. 

Ethics play a large role in leadership because without a strong ethical basis, no leader will have dedicated and loyal followers. With ethics in place a leader would display congruency and integrity through policy and inclusion and therefore accomplish great things. This relates to our service project because we all have to be committed and congruent in our goals, intention, and motivation. Without a constant presence of these our service project will not be the best it  can be. 

*Sorry this blog is out of order... accidentally deleted and hastily salvaged it! 

Leadership Academy really helped to piece together all the aspects involved into becoming a better leader!

December 6th Meeting Reflection Prompt

Reflection & Spring 2014 Goal Setting 

• I learned that we truly have a supportive group of mentors and advisers to assist us in contacting others across campus.
• I thought it was nice to have the opportunity to have a meeting dedicated to our presentation. It was great to have further collaboration and additions given by those in attendance.
• Finally, I felt reflection on our fall semester and goal setting for the spring was necessary to bring everything back into perspective.

I am looking forward to our service project in the spring and can't wait to seeing how all the planning and preparations come together. I feel that we are off to a good start with our service project and have a solid foundation. In the coming weeks and over break I am anxious to see what we can accomplish by reaching out. I feel that I can speak for everyone in having the concern about families showing up. One major goal I have set for myself is to coordinate donations and purchases to be less than or equal to $250

Over my winter break I plan on spending the holidays with my family and connecting with as many friends as I can while I am back in Lewiston. I will also being going to Florida with my friend Taylor from January 2nd-8th. After that I will fly directly to South Carolina to attend my boyfriend's Marine Graduation at Parris Island. I am very excited to do all of these things although it will keep me very busy!

I am looking forward to the Spring Semester & All the warm weather that will come with it!!

November 15th- Archie Bunker's Neighborhood

Ethics

I identify ethics as the principles, rules, or standards which an individual chooses to live by and utilizes to decide what is right or wrong.

• I learned that there are many offensive stereotypes that exist in society which have harmed many individuals of minority status due to race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality.
• I wasn't surprised that we were all shocked as a cohort about how ridiculous the treatment and remarks were, but it was eye opening to think that yes, those words are uttered by some.
• Finally, I felt how frustrating it was to experience another cultures struggle while also not being able to help others in their respective communities.

The most shocking thing I would have to say was probably just the blunt rudeness of the building authority staff and sheriff. It made a huge statement about institutions.Whether or not they are vocally discriminatory in society today, those stereotypes can still be communicated in more subtle ways normally which is not acceptable.

Since leaving the meeting I was glad I was able to participate in such a hands on activity regarding societal prejudices. As college students we are often times aware of discrimination around. Having the chance to go through the motions and attempt to complete the activity to the best of our abilities while receiving such resistance is a very beneficial learning method. 

November 1st Meeting Reflection Prompt

Diversity In Leadership

At this meeting I learned that:

• Each member of our FLI cohort has a very different Identity wheel that contributes to their feelings and opinions regarding everyday interaction and relationships.
• I also learned that there a various stages when dealing with the denial, recognition, and support of diverse traits and backgrounds in leadership roles locally (at BGSU) and around the world.
• Finally, I was able to apply what I learned by being asked to complete the final activity of real life situations. By taking part in these scenarios each of our personal opinions and "knee-jerk" reactions were put to the test in how we chose to react and handle the problem at hand. 

It is important to be culturally and socially sensitive as a leader because in order to enact the most change, see the greatest impact, and be effective in regards to the goals at hand there must be a priority to include all those involved on many levels. These levels go beyond name, appearance, and perceived abilities. This connection dives into cultural differences, heart-felt experiences, past expertise, and personal/group identity. I feel that politics and "being politically correct" on a daily basis applies to what we have learned at this week's cohort meeting. Political leaders are constantly trying to appeal to the majority in order to receive the most votes and be the most successful overall. These candidates research and speak about much more than the weather and demographics, they hope to truly get to know their voters inside and out. Those individuals who make that connection are usually the victor of their campaign. What I have learned in this meeting will definitely make me think more about how I react and choose to act in situations regarding diversity and relationships with others. 

Although I am someone who believes in being more value neutral when approaching most leadership situations, I also feel it is virtually impossible to always be that way. If you are apart of a group like FLI and are placed together in a cooperative group setting for an extended period of time, each individual's ethical values are bound to come out at one point or another. I side on being value neutral because I enjoy taking in others perspectives before my own and then evaluating all the facts. But by presenting our individual ethical values it usually gives the group a better understanding of its members and how they should proceed going forward. 

 

 

In honor of the upcoming Holiday season, I enjoyed finding a picture of this guy ^ Cannot wait for Snow, Sledding, & Snowmen (:

 

 

 

 

 

October 18th Meeting Reflection Prompt

          Name of Cohort Meeting: Personal Identity

1. I learned that each and every one of us at the cohort meeting today has very different strengths and  non-strengths that make us who we are and will contribute to the success of our group in the future.
2. I was able to read and further connect with my top five strengths which deepened both my understanding and interest in strengths quest. It made me realize my tendencies and I will continue to use these strengths to my advantage in all aspects of my life.
3. Lastly, I was able to see how each of the four select traits we were paired up for (WOOs, Strategic, Responsibility, and Achiever) will all greatly add to the diversity of our group project and benefit the end product. 

I felt that after reading the in-depth definition of my top five strengths I was able to connect and truly see how I fit in those traits very well. Harmony surprised me a tad because I never have identified myself as a compassionate person but it really is about bringing others together which I do find myself doing a lot. By knowing these strengths as a leader I have the opportunity to make them great and better interact with others because I understand that everyone has their own unique set of strengths.

A time where I felt personal differences and diversity  were not respected by a leader was actually during the planning and execution of my class's powderpuff football practices. Often times our coaches were not understanding of the participants varied abilities, opinions, and suggestions. This made the process of powderpuff each year very difficult when participants did not respect leaders and leaders did not acknowledge participants. I did my very best at alleviating the stressful situation but trying to control 50-60 screaming high school girls and 5-10 male football players (the coaches) never turned out very well.

This week in my BA 1500 class we are covering Accounting. This is my major and I believe  now knowing my five strengths ( Discipline, Harmony, Analytical, Achiever, and Deliberative) I am that much more confident in my ability to be successful in this profession (:

Retreat Reflection Prompt

To narrow what I learned at Camp Palmer into three points will be difficult but:

• I learned about the true importance of trust. During every aspect of the trip starting with the blind obstacle until we left Sunday our trust of each other was tested, strengthened, and solidified.
• I was able to contribute and observe a proper planning model in action. With Julie facilitating our ideas and visions of our service project we were all able to see it form right before our eyes. I am more excited than ever to begin and really get my hands dirty!
• Finally, I learned about how I am capable of doing things I could have never imagined but also about how wonderful and strong each and every one of my cohort members is. I want to thank everyone again for truly opening up and making this past weekend the greatest! 

My favorite part of the retreat was the wall. I felt that as a group it was so impressive and that we should all be proud of our teamwork. What surprised me is what we are all capable of when we are challenged individually and as a group. Learning that I have now have five new connections with individuals that I hope to never lose was a wonderful result of this retreat and would have never been possible without it. 

My biggest strength that I learned about at Camp Palmer was probably my tendency to think before I speak so I can fully form my ideas and thoughts before discussing them with others. I also find this trait contributing to be a part of my biggest improvement because I am often very timid or shy if I have to step out of my comfort zone to contribute my ideas as well.

Although on a beach, I feel this picture is reminiscent of our experiences at Camp Palmer. We continually challenged and supported each other throughout our time there and that camaraderie will continue to strengthen over the months to come(: