So i'm gonna take this in a different direction also. I am a part of Buckeyethon and i'm really happy with the message and the goals that this organization markets for itself. Because of being on Buckeyethon I have had multiple opportunities to work closely with the kids who have have been/are being treated by the Children's Hospital. It has been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We've put on halloween parties, movie nights, and various other events like that where we get to hang out with the kids and remind ourselves the motivation behind what we do. These kids are special in so many ways. Some of their stories are just unbelievable. And despite all they go through they always have a smile on their face.
I can't begin to explain the impact this has had on me. I am thankful every day for my friends, family, and my health. I am capable of taking part in so much without being hindered by anything. To hear some of the stories of what these kids have gone through and to see how happy they are in doing the simplest of things, it never gets old. It reminds me of how grateful I need to be for all the blessings in my life. And the best thing is, it motivates us all (Buckeyethon) to raise as much money as possible to help these kids even more. Some of the most rewarding experiences are seeing the people you're trying to help smile and laugh like they don't have a care in the world. That is the kind of affect Buckeyethon has had on me.
Spending time with these kids has really opened my eyes to what kind of services are out there. Community Service comes in all shapes and sizes and sometime it can affect one person (like Quintero's email buddy) or multiple people. In the end Service is about bettering the lives of others who are less fortunate, or less able to participate in the things that we are blessed to be able to do. This one organization has showed me how blessed I am and how important it is to give back to my community. Not only will I become a better person but I have the ability to CHANGE someone's life for the better. That, in itself, is motivation enough for me.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Dilemma Facing the Fraternal Movement
Well i'm just gonna jump right into it. I think the biggest problem is the stigma of "animal house" that has branded fraternities. I was a victim of it. My parents were victims of it. While both their's and mind has been changed that is only because I was lucky enough to find FIJI. If i had not been a part of this fraternity then I think I would still have the same attitude towards fraternities that I had growing up. I think the biggest challenge we face is how to we make that mentality disappear?
I remember when we talked about this in class and some interesting thoughts came up. More often than not "News" that gets around to schools and campuses and into people's homes is of the negative sort. Look at today's media. Very little is talked about unless it's in a "tragic" tone of voice. I think that is one of the problems Greek Life faces. Everyone knows about the bad things that happens but very little is done to promote the good that Greek life does
Another area is particularly troublesome in my mind. We have a saying that it only takes one person to screw things up for the rest of us. Well that goes for all of the Greek communtiy as well. It only takes one fraternity to make a ghastly decision whose consequences will screw us all over. Does anyone else feel like we're fighting an uphill battle? I do. I know how this fraternity has changed my life and my parents do as well. But how do we get others to know that. Especially one's who are not directly affected by Greek life.
I know this doesn't exactly answer the dilemma but i'm not sure I have one at the moment. It's a problem that is not gonna change unless a long term (many years) plan has been developed.
I remember when we talked about this in class and some interesting thoughts came up. More often than not "News" that gets around to schools and campuses and into people's homes is of the negative sort. Look at today's media. Very little is talked about unless it's in a "tragic" tone of voice. I think that is one of the problems Greek Life faces. Everyone knows about the bad things that happens but very little is done to promote the good that Greek life does
Another area is particularly troublesome in my mind. We have a saying that it only takes one person to screw things up for the rest of us. Well that goes for all of the Greek communtiy as well. It only takes one fraternity to make a ghastly decision whose consequences will screw us all over. Does anyone else feel like we're fighting an uphill battle? I do. I know how this fraternity has changed my life and my parents do as well. But how do we get others to know that. Especially one's who are not directly affected by Greek life.
I know this doesn't exactly answer the dilemma but i'm not sure I have one at the moment. It's a problem that is not gonna change unless a long term (many years) plan has been developed.
Brotherhood Vs Socials
So my extra blog doesn't have a video in it about the stupid things people do to give greek life a bad name. It's more of a topic that's been on my mind ever since I joined FIJI. I'm just very curious to get everyone's opinion and I hope that's alright and not against what were supposed to use as an extra blog. The question I'm asking is essentiall do you put on a different face around sororities? Now I understand this is kind of a cloudy question but please try to answer honestly. I want to hear everyone's opinion on it. Of course you can start by reading mine and then go in your own direction with it but please comment. I'm very curious as to how my brothers feel about this.
I joined FIJI because I saw brotherhood. Growing up with two older sisters it was not something I was accustomed to or familiar with by any means. I've been in more petty little fights with my sisters than I care to rehash, but i'm getting off topic. When I was first introduced to FIJI something inside me just clicked. It was like I finally found a piece of me that had been missing for my entire life. It was awesome and I've not regretted my decision since.
Then of course there is the social aspect of the Fraternity. I understand that we are a Social fraternity and want to have good times with Sororities. I have no qualm with that and genuinely support that ideal. However, I have been to 3 socials throughout the time that i've been a part of FIJI. Each one of them sucked. I'm not a shy guy so I don't mind introducing myself to girls and starting a conversation with them. At 2 of the TG's i even grabbed Mufasa and took him over to a group with me (Cause he's HOT) to try and get the girls to have a conversation with us. When they weren't on their phone texting or calling someone they were getting drinks and standing in an impenetrable circle of girls. It's annoying but that isn't really what bothers me the most.
More than a few brothers put on this facade when we go to these things and pretend to be someone their not. I don't know whether they think the girls will like them more or they're just putting on a show but it really upsets me. Mostly because the facade they put on is detrimental to what FIJI stands for. As soon as there are girls around us it's like they're a different person entirely. Many times i've been put down by people who would never say anything of the sort if it were just guys. Now don't get me wrong, I can take a joke but there is a difference between sarcasm and belittling someone continuously. I hate the idea that people do this. I joined FIJI because I loved what it stood for and the "Gentlemanly" attitude that we represent. When it's thrown back in my face at these socials, I just can't express in words how much this upsets me. It's not an isolated incident either. I have been to 3 TG's and at each one something like this has occurred.
I have been to a ton of brotherhood events and don't have a negative thing to say about it. Yes sometimes there are arguments and emotions run high but that's what a family does. They argue and get angry but in the end you know that each one of us is there for one another.
Anyway sorry if this was a long reading but this is something that has bothered me since I joined FIJI and I felt like this was a good time to throw it out there. Please comment I would love to know what everyone thinks!
I joined FIJI because I saw brotherhood. Growing up with two older sisters it was not something I was accustomed to or familiar with by any means. I've been in more petty little fights with my sisters than I care to rehash, but i'm getting off topic. When I was first introduced to FIJI something inside me just clicked. It was like I finally found a piece of me that had been missing for my entire life. It was awesome and I've not regretted my decision since.
Then of course there is the social aspect of the Fraternity. I understand that we are a Social fraternity and want to have good times with Sororities. I have no qualm with that and genuinely support that ideal. However, I have been to 3 socials throughout the time that i've been a part of FIJI. Each one of them sucked. I'm not a shy guy so I don't mind introducing myself to girls and starting a conversation with them. At 2 of the TG's i even grabbed Mufasa and took him over to a group with me (Cause he's HOT) to try and get the girls to have a conversation with us. When they weren't on their phone texting or calling someone they were getting drinks and standing in an impenetrable circle of girls. It's annoying but that isn't really what bothers me the most.
More than a few brothers put on this facade when we go to these things and pretend to be someone their not. I don't know whether they think the girls will like them more or they're just putting on a show but it really upsets me. Mostly because the facade they put on is detrimental to what FIJI stands for. As soon as there are girls around us it's like they're a different person entirely. Many times i've been put down by people who would never say anything of the sort if it were just guys. Now don't get me wrong, I can take a joke but there is a difference between sarcasm and belittling someone continuously. I hate the idea that people do this. I joined FIJI because I loved what it stood for and the "Gentlemanly" attitude that we represent. When it's thrown back in my face at these socials, I just can't express in words how much this upsets me. It's not an isolated incident either. I have been to 3 TG's and at each one something like this has occurred.
I have been to a ton of brotherhood events and don't have a negative thing to say about it. Yes sometimes there are arguments and emotions run high but that's what a family does. They argue and get angry but in the end you know that each one of us is there for one another.
Anyway sorry if this was a long reading but this is something that has bothered me since I joined FIJI and I felt like this was a good time to throw it out there. Please comment I would love to know what everyone thinks!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Collaboration
Collaboration is something that happens everyday. Whether it be in an academic setting, at work, or even putting up with Kevin as a roommate. I'm constantly working, at least trying to work, with others to accomplish something. It's almost to the point that I don't even realize in what ways I collaborate with others on daily basis.
Anyway back to what was asked, the time I remember using collaboration the most was when I was chosen to be on the A-team for the Leadership Collaborative. It was an awesome experience but definitely a bit of wake-up call as well. Being a part of the LC 2009 I was unaware of the behind the scenes planning and logistics that took place. Everything was so smooth and well planned out that I assumed they just worked from an agenda year after year after year. I was very wrong. There is so much more that goes into it. We had meetings throughout the entire summer up until the LC 2010 took place, going over speakers, dinner times, how to accomodate people, and various other logistics. It was crazy as to how much thought went into planning the event.
Finally, when it came time for the actual LC to take place, I thought it would be just as smooth as the one I attended back in 2009. I was mistaken. I saw a completely different side to things. The 4 other A-team members and myself were flying by the seat of our pants for 4 straight days. Constantly working on little things that needed to be done before the kids got up, or went to their small groups, or got ready to get on the bus, or before they got done finishing their dinner. I could not believe how much stuff we were able to accomplish literally just moments before the small group leaders needed what we were working on. It was absolutely crazy!
Of course, in the end it was a complete success. The whole thing was a blast and it was one of the better LC's if I do say so myself. I will never forget how much work and collaboration all of us had to put in to making the LC 2010 a successful event. It was a worthwile and eye opening experience that showed how collaboration towards a common goal can achieve great success and change people's lives.
Anyway back to what was asked, the time I remember using collaboration the most was when I was chosen to be on the A-team for the Leadership Collaborative. It was an awesome experience but definitely a bit of wake-up call as well. Being a part of the LC 2009 I was unaware of the behind the scenes planning and logistics that took place. Everything was so smooth and well planned out that I assumed they just worked from an agenda year after year after year. I was very wrong. There is so much more that goes into it. We had meetings throughout the entire summer up until the LC 2010 took place, going over speakers, dinner times, how to accomodate people, and various other logistics. It was crazy as to how much thought went into planning the event.
Finally, when it came time for the actual LC to take place, I thought it would be just as smooth as the one I attended back in 2009. I was mistaken. I saw a completely different side to things. The 4 other A-team members and myself were flying by the seat of our pants for 4 straight days. Constantly working on little things that needed to be done before the kids got up, or went to their small groups, or got ready to get on the bus, or before they got done finishing their dinner. I could not believe how much stuff we were able to accomplish literally just moments before the small group leaders needed what we were working on. It was absolutely crazy!
Of course, in the end it was a complete success. The whole thing was a blast and it was one of the better LC's if I do say so myself. I will never forget how much work and collaboration all of us had to put in to making the LC 2010 a successful event. It was a worthwile and eye opening experience that showed how collaboration towards a common goal can achieve great success and change people's lives.
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