Thursday, November 8, 2012

Response to Dean Kau 11/7/12


What are some communities that you can be a leader in? 
Dean Kau discussed the definition of “community” with us and it is any organization or a group of people that geographically live near each other. He used a quote that said, “BYU needs Provo as much as Provo needs BYU.” Although we as students sometimes consider BYU our own community, we do reside in the larger community of Provo. I can be a leader in the community of Provo by representing BYU wherever I go. There are so many different “mini-communities” that exist within BYU itself. My apartment, my dorm building, my Relief Society, my FHE group, my ward, and my freshman class are just a few examples of the various “communities” in which I can be a leader. The opportunities are nearly inexhaustible.

How can you become involved in a way that is reasonable considering your time?
Due to our required leadership project within the class, I have been involved in BYUSA in the Activities sub-category. Since our project’s completion, I have been thinking about what I can do to become involved at BYU.  I thought back to the beginning of the year before school started, and one of my goals was to take part in BYUSA and YServe at one point or another during the year. I can become involved by volunteering at YServe and filling the time that I would have spent on my BYUSA project with that endeavor. I know the options are nearly endless at YServe and I can find a service opportunity that I feel like I can contribute to the most while staying within my time restrictions. I think it will be a good life experience and add balance to my life to become involved with both student leadership and community-related service specifically through YServe. The Lord uses His children to bless others in different ways through both of those institutions.

You don’t need a title to lead. Great leaders are already doing so. Where else can you be a leader? 
I believe that the greatest leaders have the most long-lasting influence over people when they act as personal role models. My personal role models have had the biggest impact on my life and influenced me to change in a way more prominent leaders never could. We discussed different leaders with Dean Kau and he talked about regular people who took the initiative to be leaders in their own communities. The example I remember most was the Steven kid who had the courage to run for the school board while juggling being a college student. I firmly believe in the adage “life where you stand” and that also applies to leadership. Leadership is needed in every situation and every relationship. I believe that we are responsible to follow the Savior’s example and be a leader to the downhearted and those in need of service as well as the more visible leadership positions. 

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