Blog #1: Let the Journey Begin!

In the past two months as Chapter President,I have felt completely overwhelmed. I have let the experience take over me in the sense that I have been doing exactly what we learned at CPLI that we should avoid: managing more so than leading. The discussion that we had at CPLI always creeps into my mind every once and awhile when I am reflecting upon what I have completed that week; usually just a bunch of e-mails, reports, and other requirements to fulfill just to get through the week. After our class on Wednesday, I have found a new source of motivation. I realized that if I ever really want to do something AMAZING in my time as president, I need to quit following the same old routine and find a way to emerge from all of the paper work and be a true leader.

Social change in the sense of community collaboration is something that I have always believed in. I want to lead not only my chapter but also the whole community in the direction of social change so that we are all one strong unit working together toward the betterment of our society here at Ohio State. I never really saw this sense of unity termed as "social change", but now when I look at the term I think of it as something that requires extremely active participation in order for it to truly succeed. In my mind, my version of "social change" used to be that we all were civil and got along. After attending BGLI last year and CPLI and GO! this year, I have come to the realization that being "civilized" is not a way to make us a community. It takes an active effort-- something that I see as a defining factor of social change. My current approach to social change is different now because I see it as actually working TOGETHER to make a difference. It requires more than just a friendly hello-- it requires a helping hand.

I am really excited to dig deeper into this topic and for further conversation to take place in our class. I really enjoy having my thoughts provoked and to be constantly thinking. I feel that a topic like this really requires major discussion and numerous opinions to really get a strong feel for what it truly means for each of us. See you all on Wednesday!! :)