I advise a fraternity chapter at the higher education institution where I work. I used to work with the men below the required GPA. This fall, I decided to move into a different role and was asked to organize and facilitate a leadership retreat.
It was an amazing 24 hours! The men were so enthusiastic, and we covered teambuilding, leadership, goal setting for individual offices and the board as a whole, mission creation, etc. Talking about values with college men is pretty amazing.
What do they want to gain from this experience?
A little game that sneakily leads to a discussion on values.
Incoming and Outgoing Officers
The outgoing officers joined in for the fun...reviewing responsibilities, discuss successes and challenges of the last year, and a little flag football. I really appreciate their positive attitude about giving up about 7 hours of a Saturday. They had some great conversations with the new officers.
Me with the incoming board. I only look their height because Ms. GreenKeen is standing on a rock!
We sat around the campfire talking about our fraternal experiences, challenges, and successes and eating marshmallows. Yes, that is right! I spent almost three hours on a Saturday night talking with college men about how they have grown and changed in college.
As I sat there listening, I could not help but think how random my career has been. No one enters college planning a career in higher education. It something that we all fall into due to our involvement on campus and mentoring from amazing advisors. As an introverted, science major, I could never have imagined that I would talk with students about study skills, goals, career planning, respect for self and others, and smart decision-making in and out of the classroom. How I ever learned to do this is still a bit of a mystery!
Big thanks to my co-facilitator from the fraternity's traveling staff!
This is so cool! As an introvert myself, I am TOTALLY impressed because I don't think I would be good at this. I bet it was encouraging to hear young men talk about values.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I can't even believe I do stuff like this! Before the retreat, and even before the two hour teambuilding workshop I teach once per semester, I regret agreeing to do and can't figure out how I'm going to make it happen. I think it is introvert exhaustion rearing its big head. While at the event, I go into instructor-mode and get it done. I enjoy the impact I make. Then, I am exhausted. The only place this does not really happen...summer camp. I get a little nervous and feel the introvert part of me at the beginning of counselor training or if I am leading big sections by myself, but I'm fine. Totally weird!
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