Seis

     Well when I first saw this blog prompt, I thought "Oh how easy this is going to be! We talked about this stuff during our last class!" And then I thought that once I answered the first question, it would basically get the ball rolling and make it easier to answer the following questions. So here goes!
     When we talked about the most important thing we had learned this quarter, my statement just happened to fall into the first question of the prompt, so I am prepared to repeat my answer. I stated that the most important thing I learned about myself was that I have more power to create change than I previously thought I had. The class helped me to learn this fact for two reasons. First, it was made clear that leaders are not born, they are developed. Therefore, even though I previously thought I was destined to be a follower, I now know that if I play to my strengths, I can develop myself into a successful leader. That is another thing that the class helped me to discover, my strengths. Using the StrengthsQuest assessment, I was able to obtain a written description of the qualities I have that are most prevalent, and by having this knowledge, I can use these strengths in the most advantageous ways and hone my skills to make myself into the best leader I can possibly be.
     To be perfectly honest, when I first became a recruitment guide, I thought our only responsibility was going to be to shepherd the girls around to the different houses and then to the place where they would submit their choices on the computer. I never really thought about what my recruitment guides did for me, and how they offered guidance and friendship, however the moment we entered the leadership class we were going to be taking to help us along our journey, I knew I was going to be doing much more than I had originally thought. I learned that my role as a recruitment guide was going to be more of providing that first link between girls who want to be a part of the SFL community and the actual SFL community. We were also going to be a source of information for these girls, and should try to become as close to them as possible, so that we were able to help them with any problems that might arise or concerns that they may have. In the end, it was apparent that our job was going to be much more than I originally thought, however it made me even more excited because we would be even more involved in the recruitment process, and I really enjoy seeing as many different sides of something as possible because then it is easier to get the full picture.
     Another important thing that this class taught me was that I was not alone in wanting to see some change happen. I know girls in my chapter are affected by stereotypes and after meeting all the other recruitment guides, it became apparent that it was not just my chapter. I also saw that stereotypes were not the only thing that girls wanted to see changed, and I heard plenty of good ideas for ways we can enact change to make our community an even better place than it is already. This class also made me realize that it is important for people to instill some passion in those members of the community who don't seem to care about anything except the social aspect. It is true that not everyone needs to be a leader in order for change to take place, however it is important that almost all members of the community be involved in making the change happen, because if there are some who don't care at all, then the change will not be as effective or might not even happen at all.
     Learning all of these things has definitely changed my whole perspective of the SFL community as a whole, and every individual member as well. Because I now see that there are people out there who have ideas about change and would like to see them through, it has instilled more passion in me to help make those changes happen, and to teach my ideas to younger members of the community so that the change can be carried on in future generations. This means that I value the things we have learned and the ideas I have seen ENORMOUSLY. If every recruitment guide puts to use the things that we have learned, then we have the ability to spread change like an epidemic throughout the community, and eventually the advent of change will become more accepted and more and more people will make their own ideas known.
     Personally, I know I do not have very much time left to plant my seed of change into the community because I am graduating and leaving in two quarters. However, this does not mean that I am not going to try! I am going to commit myself to being as involved in my chapter as I can be, so that I can make sure my ideas are known, and also so that I can know I had some input on things my chapter values as important. I am going to make sure I talk to all of the younger members of my chapter about ways they can get their ideas out into the community, and how they can become the best leaders possible and that not everyone has to resign themselves to being followers. Just being a learner in our class and transforming to a teacher of the same concepts when I am telling my sisters about what I have learned improves myself as a leader. By doing all of these things, it will make me a better sister and member of the community. I think the best way to start change is to get your idea out there, show why it is a good idea and why people should be accepting of the change, and then to work as hard as possible to create the domino effect that I have talked about before. This domino effect can start with one person, and ideally will spread to every member of the community through talking and seeing what others are taking part in. So, like I said before, if everyone can take some initiative and step up so that their ideas don't simply stay put inside their heads but are told to leaders, they themselves can become leaders, and have the ability to make the change they wish to see a reality, and eventually this will result in a better SFL community. I don't ever expect it to be perfect, but I know it can certainly become a better place, a place where change actually does happen and the members of the community care about what is going on.
     On a final note, I just want to say that I really enjoyed all the things this class has taught me about myself and my potential to better myself. Even though sometimes it was rough and sometimes we did not see the whole picture about why we were learning the things that we were learning, I think it was all tied together very well in the end. And actually, this blog is a great way for us to tie all the things we learned into real life situations and I think that is what we really needed most. I'm going to miss having class with all of you every week! But I'm glad we got this opportunity to all become so close :)