Blog Post #9

Personal passions are a good way to continue to motivate yourself to promote social change within your organization. By being passionate about something like service for example, when you talk to your chapter about getting more involved with service they are much more willing to actually do so because of how passionate you clearly are on the subject. By demonstrating your passion about something that resonates within your chapter. Not only  does this make you feel better because you are letting others know what you are passionate about, it makes your entire chapter look at what you are saying in a completely different light.

I have been challenged in a few ways as a leader thus far even without being officially out into the position as president. One of the most recent events that challenged me to stay committed to my individual values happened last night during our second round of elections. During elections I had to really stick my neck out for a couple of guys running for positions that I thought were the best fit for where I would like to see my fraternity go. Unfortunately these guys did not win the positions they were running for and other brothers beat them out. So this challenged me and has put me in an interesting position in the sense that I have to really sell the guys who won on my ideas and where I see this fraternity going during my presidency. I talked briefly with the two guys who got elected after chapter and filled them both in on where we need to be headed next year and following this conversation I think they will both do a fantastic job. I made me actually do something presidential and made me realize how ready I really am for this position.

Blog Post 8

Personal values of individual group members can always change the way the group may look. Take for example one of your chapter’s seniors has an opinion about how something should be changed and presents it to the chapter. So based on how the chapter respects the opinion of an older member such as this they would have a huge influence on the groups values.

Individuals can always contribute to the groups values as well. For example, if one of the chapters values is to be more involved around campus and Columbus as a whole then having someone who’s individual value is one that loves and really enjoys giving back to the community. This one person can take their individual value and contribute to the overall value by aiding in community service.

Though it would be easier to be congruent in everything we do I do not think it is possible to always be a person of congruence. I do not think you can fit into the mold of every idea people come up with. At some point you will have to break away and take your own individual stance on an issue. As presidents we do this on a somewhat regular basis, if it is something that is for the better of the chapter to disagree about then we have to take that stance. We are all leaders, leaders do not always have the full support of every decision they make but when people eventually turn around and realize it made us a better, strong chapter than it was a success.

Blog Post 7

The things people value in our lives determines how we may react to certain situations that we may come across. We come to value things in our lives when it we come across something that we truly value. By that I mean like how we value the people we are close to like your best friend for example. It is very important for me at least to make sure I always make time in my week to do something with my friends. It is easy to ensure to make time for the things we value as long as you make it a point to do them. We are all busy and as we get older we will continue to get busier, we not going to suddenly become worry free like Mr. Deeds.

I value friends, integrity and above all honesty. Each week I sit down on Monday in my first class, pull out my planner and write down everything I am planning on getting done that week and then I choose specific times and dates that I will complete them. I am a detail oriented person so for me to make sure I have time for everything I want to do I have to write down when I am going to do it. To reflect my values I make it a priority to be honest with people and with all my school work. I also make it a priority to do things with my close friends several times a week (would be harder if we did not live in the same house). You can ensure you spend time on the things you value by sitting down and asking yourself if you are spending time on things you want to spend time on.