Why did we choose to start a class about Fraternal Change with a service project, and what did you learn about yourself and your peers as a result of our shared experiences today?
WHY:
We live in a revolutionary era. Whether it occurs politically, economically, socially, technologically, academically, morally, or even fraternally--change happens, and it's happening faster than ever before! We live in some exciting times and I am looking forward to being a part of the fraternal change here at Ohio State.
As Greek leaders, we have committed ourselves to service through our roles within the greater community. Kicking off this course, which is ALL ABOUT CHANGE, with a service project sets the tone for the rest of what we'll hopefully be accomplishing through this course: "committing ourselves to Fraternal Change through our roles as selfless servants".
WHAT:
Last week during class I was learning how to be a better FarmHouse fraternity leader at my fraternity's International Leadership Academy, so unfortunately I couldn't join you all in the exciting PB&J-Makin'! BUT, I did have a neat opportunity to travel from where we were staying in Missouri to a suburb in Kansas that's doing amazing things for economically underprivileged individuals and their families. The place that I did my service event was a homeless program that offers shelter, food, daycare, and other amenities for the unemployed. Our project was to prepare a basement, where the people would be staying. We spent 3 and a half hours painting a nasty mud/brick wall in a really old house. The job was hard and we had ridiculous working conditions (it was below zero outside and NO heat inside) but I left with a sense of satisfaction.
It was neat being able to work side-by-side with fraternity brothers that I'd never even met before, with shared values, and passion toward improving home chapters. The whole time, we shared our struggles and learned from each other on ideas for "back home". The energy in that giant, gross, cold basement was electrifying! By the end of those discussions most of us wanted nothing more than to be back home. Not because we were miserable, tired, or paint-covered, but because we were so excited to go back and be the change in our fraternities.
LEARNED:
I learned that there are lots of challenges in our fraternities, but there are also a lot of other leaders up to tackling those challenges through positive change. I'm pumped!
No comments:
Post a Comment