"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
- President Barack Obama
Before I start this blog formally I would like to connect this quote with another that will tie this together perfectly.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
- Lao-Tzu
I believe that President Obama's quote is empowered by the implications of the second. An individual can change the world, but in order to do so you must be able to take the first step in that long journey to change. Individuals that have shown this level of leadership range from large to small, black to white, good to bad, and religious to atheist all of this being said there is nothing limiting a leaders potential except themselves!
Alright, I'll admit it that was a little too optimistic....in fact way too optimistic. Lets get serious folks. The time for change is always at hand, but whether or not a leader chooses to act is their decision. From generation to generation we have always claimed that we are on the brink of something great, and finally the pieces are in place to make the change we have always wanted. This has been my claim, the president before me, and the president before him. The only thing that separates us is the means in which we choose to act. Other factors are part of this equation for change, but one thing can override any outlying problem and that is hard work by a leader.
As a leader the opportunity for change is at your fingertips and in order to make the change happen that you want to see in the world then you must be prepared to inspire your members to feel the same way. This inspiration of course is a second order change, and has the power to not only change your organization but change its culture as well. A culture change in your organization brings about a sustained change that will bring results for years to come.
In closing:
- this weather is cramping my style
- Ticket Office work at 8a.m. is cruel and unusual punishment
- Leadership is fun
- I'm a little sassy right now
- Lets go fishing
CP
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Social Change Model
When I envision a great model of social change I look towards an example that dates back a few years before my time in FarmHouse. It is hard to put an exact date on when the change happened, but it is easy to see when the problem was addressed.
A bit of history...
For several years our chapter had maintained the highest G.P.A. on campus. This trend continued up into the late 90's when something caused brothers to become laid back in their studies. This lead to the eventual dismay of our academic dominance, but this decrease did not go unnoticed. Brothers then began to step forward and develop a more rigid scholastic plan, but this was not enough to offset the negative trend. Brothers went to the source of the problem, and that problem was in the men that inhabited the fraternity itself. After addressing brothers with low academic marks and taking appropriate action, the second step of this academic campaign went underway. This part addressed recruitment and I wish I could say that the push was for higher quality, but that would not be the truth. Before there was little to no recruitment whatsoever so the push for more men eventually lead to the quality aspect. Once both of the parts of this campaign came together results came about. Our G.P.A. is on the rise and the buy in of all brothers is leading to the overall improvement of FarmHouse's scholastic presence.
This example has always been in the back of my mind when the idea of social change is brought up. There was a problem that almost all parties noticed and addressed and this lead to a comprehensive campaign that didn't only address the symptoms, but helped solve the problems themselves. Although tough decisions had to be made because of the overall level of understanding for the need of change this plan was able to take full function. By noticing that this problem was effecting all levels of the surrounding group (individual, group, and community) brothers where able to gain strength from fellow community members to help rally the overall movement.
Improving your overall academic standing may not be as groundbreaking as solving world hunger, but I feel that this gives a bit better perspective on an attainable example of what social change can do for you in the near future!
A bit of history...
For several years our chapter had maintained the highest G.P.A. on campus. This trend continued up into the late 90's when something caused brothers to become laid back in their studies. This lead to the eventual dismay of our academic dominance, but this decrease did not go unnoticed. Brothers then began to step forward and develop a more rigid scholastic plan, but this was not enough to offset the negative trend. Brothers went to the source of the problem, and that problem was in the men that inhabited the fraternity itself. After addressing brothers with low academic marks and taking appropriate action, the second step of this academic campaign went underway. This part addressed recruitment and I wish I could say that the push was for higher quality, but that would not be the truth. Before there was little to no recruitment whatsoever so the push for more men eventually lead to the quality aspect. Once both of the parts of this campaign came together results came about. Our G.P.A. is on the rise and the buy in of all brothers is leading to the overall improvement of FarmHouse's scholastic presence.
This example has always been in the back of my mind when the idea of social change is brought up. There was a problem that almost all parties noticed and addressed and this lead to a comprehensive campaign that didn't only address the symptoms, but helped solve the problems themselves. Although tough decisions had to be made because of the overall level of understanding for the need of change this plan was able to take full function. By noticing that this problem was effecting all levels of the surrounding group (individual, group, and community) brothers where able to gain strength from fellow community members to help rally the overall movement.
Improving your overall academic standing may not be as groundbreaking as solving world hunger, but I feel that this gives a bit better perspective on an attainable example of what social change can do for you in the near future!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Social Change
After spending some time, thinking about what the concept of social change really is I have become humbled by the role I have in the Greek community. Social Change overall seems like a daunting task. Some of the examples they gave were extinguishing world hunger and helping the homless, these are all massive problems that effect millions of people. So, what makes this concept so hard to tackle at a colliegate level?
At this point I find it difficult to answer this question. I personally believe that this form of leadership has the greatest potential for sustained change, positive impact, and overall growth for all parties associated. The reason for this is the means in which a problem or trend is elliminated. Instead of just treating the symptoms, you elliminate the underlying cause. It is here where the difficulty lies...
The first and biggest step in my opinion is becoming aware of the need for social change. Once you have reached this point you can then start to find the resources that you need to make a social change. By no means are the rest of the steps easy, but once you have had a realization of a need for change you can then make a move and have help in doing so. I hope to aquire the the resources and tools that can help me in instilling this idea of leadership into my fraternal brothers and community members.
At this point I find it difficult to answer this question. I personally believe that this form of leadership has the greatest potential for sustained change, positive impact, and overall growth for all parties associated. The reason for this is the means in which a problem or trend is elliminated. Instead of just treating the symptoms, you elliminate the underlying cause. It is here where the difficulty lies...
The first and biggest step in my opinion is becoming aware of the need for social change. Once you have reached this point you can then start to find the resources that you need to make a social change. By no means are the rest of the steps easy, but once you have had a realization of a need for change you can then make a move and have help in doing so. I hope to aquire the the resources and tools that can help me in instilling this idea of leadership into my fraternal brothers and community members.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Welcome to the Honeyhole!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to formally welcome you to the Honeyhole! For those of you who aren't familiar with what a Honeyhole is I would love to tell you. A Honeyhole is a term used for your best fishing spot on any particular body of water. Everyone has a different one, but each place holds a special place in each person's heart. Your particular Honeyhole holds fond memories of shared experiences with close friends, nights spent in thought, and overall good times had.
A little bit about me:
I am the current President of FarmHouse Fraternity here at Ohio State, and have been part of the Greek Community for a little over a year now. I was born and raised in Edon, Ohio which is the most North-Western town in the state, and I am proud to say that I am a fifth generation pig farmer. My father, Frank, still manages our farm, and continues to instill the values associated with agriculture to the surrounding community. Brenda, my mother, is a second grade teacher at our local elementary school, and I have a younger brother and sister.
Aside from my involvement in the Greek community, I enjoy spending time at home on the farm or out on the water fishing. While the hustle and bustle of the city is indeed exciting, I do enjoy a open space that is quiet and calm.
Spring quarter is going to be exciting, and I am looking forward to the journey ahead!
CP
I would like to formally welcome you to the Honeyhole! For those of you who aren't familiar with what a Honeyhole is I would love to tell you. A Honeyhole is a term used for your best fishing spot on any particular body of water. Everyone has a different one, but each place holds a special place in each person's heart. Your particular Honeyhole holds fond memories of shared experiences with close friends, nights spent in thought, and overall good times had.
A little bit about me:
I am the current President of FarmHouse Fraternity here at Ohio State, and have been part of the Greek Community for a little over a year now. I was born and raised in Edon, Ohio which is the most North-Western town in the state, and I am proud to say that I am a fifth generation pig farmer. My father, Frank, still manages our farm, and continues to instill the values associated with agriculture to the surrounding community. Brenda, my mother, is a second grade teacher at our local elementary school, and I have a younger brother and sister.
Aside from my involvement in the Greek community, I enjoy spending time at home on the farm or out on the water fishing. While the hustle and bustle of the city is indeed exciting, I do enjoy a open space that is quiet and calm.
Spring quarter is going to be exciting, and I am looking forward to the journey ahead!
CP
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