Honors Forum II: October 29, 2012
My last few blog posts have been fairly cynical. Needless to say, I was expecting to have the same reaction to this week's speaker, but in walks Bradley Cooper.. I mean, Bradley Dean. I don't remember exactly what he talked about, but he sure was nice to look at. Not that looks have anything to do with civic engagement. I can see past looks if there is initially something about the person that strikes me as weird.
First of all, the guy started off by saying that he graduated from UNA with a degree in art and a minor in entrepreneurship but that his degree didn't help him very much with his job. Way to promote UNA, Mr. Dean. Keep in mind you are speaking to a group of honors students that are currently attending the university to which you so lovingly referred.
Aside from that, he told us that he got involved with the Florence Historical Board only because he wanted a plaque that stated his house was a historical city landmark. It seems as if this guy doesn't know what it truly means to volunteer. Civic engagement is not defined as getting involved in an organization for your own selfish reasons. And whoever said that burning a small forest just so a model can stand in front of it for a photo shoot was a good idea?!
Though I have much more to say, I'll stop there.
Always, Kalee
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Leslie Tomlinson - Junior League of the Shoals
Honors Forum II: October 23, 2012
I'm sure my last few blog posts are going to make me sound like someone who doesn't like anyone or anything. But I promise that's not true! It must be a coincidence that there were speakers that I didn't agree with two weeks in a row. Or maybe I just have really high standards for our speakers in the Honors Forum.
DISCLAIMER: Before Ms. Tomlinson began to speak to us, I had no idea what a Junior League was. But as she began to explain what it is, and what most people think it is, I came to the conclusion that I fell in line with the "what people think it is." To me, it sounds like a sorority for grown women. Not that there is anything wrong with sororities. I just feel that Junior Leagues should be honest and embrace what they truly are.
Ms. Tomlinson proceeded to tell us that Junior Leagues are based on the principle of volunteering and bettering the community. She also told us that there are three different types of membership based on how many volunteer hours you complete over a number of years. Now this is where my problem comes in. Volunteering is something you should do because you want to make a difference, not something that you feel obligated to do in order to receive a reward or a fancy title within an organization.
Aside from that, none of the people in the Honors Forum are eligible to become members of the Shoals Junior League because we aren't of age. You have to be 24 in order to become a member in most college towns in order to prevent girls from joining the Junior League to gain volunteer hours for another organization. I really don't understand that. They don't want you to gain volunteer hours for another organization through the Junior League, but they require you to complete a certain number of volunteer hours over 6 to 8 years to receive a higher level of membership. That's just crazy.
If nothing else, listening to speakers that I disagree with helps shape my own view of Civic Engagement and how it applies to me.
Always try to find something positive in a negative situation.
Always, Kalee
I'm sure my last few blog posts are going to make me sound like someone who doesn't like anyone or anything. But I promise that's not true! It must be a coincidence that there were speakers that I didn't agree with two weeks in a row. Or maybe I just have really high standards for our speakers in the Honors Forum.
DISCLAIMER: Before Ms. Tomlinson began to speak to us, I had no idea what a Junior League was. But as she began to explain what it is, and what most people think it is, I came to the conclusion that I fell in line with the "what people think it is." To me, it sounds like a sorority for grown women. Not that there is anything wrong with sororities. I just feel that Junior Leagues should be honest and embrace what they truly are.
Ms. Tomlinson proceeded to tell us that Junior Leagues are based on the principle of volunteering and bettering the community. She also told us that there are three different types of membership based on how many volunteer hours you complete over a number of years. Now this is where my problem comes in. Volunteering is something you should do because you want to make a difference, not something that you feel obligated to do in order to receive a reward or a fancy title within an organization.
Aside from that, none of the people in the Honors Forum are eligible to become members of the Shoals Junior League because we aren't of age. You have to be 24 in order to become a member in most college towns in order to prevent girls from joining the Junior League to gain volunteer hours for another organization. I really don't understand that. They don't want you to gain volunteer hours for another organization through the Junior League, but they require you to complete a certain number of volunteer hours over 6 to 8 years to receive a higher level of membership. That's just crazy.
If nothing else, listening to speakers that I disagree with helps shape my own view of Civic Engagement and how it applies to me.
Always try to find something positive in a negative situation.
Always, Kalee
Jackie Hendrix - Shoals Chamber of Commerce
Honors Forum II: October 15, 2012
Remember how I said in my last blog that I have a hard time taking self-righteous speakers seriously? Well, not to be rude, but Mr. Jackie Hendrix definitely wasn't my favorite speaker. After all, we are all entitled to our own opinions.
Mr. Hendrix is the President of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and the owner of Party Pros Inc. While I didn't retain much of what he said (I'm not sure if it was the way he presented himself, or the fact that it was a Monday evening and I felt sleep deprived) I realized that one of his main points was networking. I have a problem with that, considering that the Honors Forum is about volunteerism, i.e., helping others with no expectation of personal gain. It seems to me that networking is a method of forming relationships with people simply for your own personal benefit. Like I said, I have a problem with that.
I understand that in most occupations, networking is vital. In order to get where you want to go, you have to say the right things and know the right people. However, I didn't feel that Mr. Hendrix's lecture was appropriate for our Civic Engagement forum.
Although I didn't agree with most of the things he said, I did like his tip for remembering people's names. If you say someone's name three times right after you meet them, you are pretty much guaranteed to remember it. I don't usually have a problem with remembering people's names, but I guess if I ever do this tip will come in handy. At least I got SOMETHING out of his speech.
Always, Kalee
Remember how I said in my last blog that I have a hard time taking self-righteous speakers seriously? Well, not to be rude, but Mr. Jackie Hendrix definitely wasn't my favorite speaker. After all, we are all entitled to our own opinions.
Mr. Hendrix is the President of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and the owner of Party Pros Inc. While I didn't retain much of what he said (I'm not sure if it was the way he presented himself, or the fact that it was a Monday evening and I felt sleep deprived) I realized that one of his main points was networking. I have a problem with that, considering that the Honors Forum is about volunteerism, i.e., helping others with no expectation of personal gain. It seems to me that networking is a method of forming relationships with people simply for your own personal benefit. Like I said, I have a problem with that.
I understand that in most occupations, networking is vital. In order to get where you want to go, you have to say the right things and know the right people. However, I didn't feel that Mr. Hendrix's lecture was appropriate for our Civic Engagement forum.
Although I didn't agree with most of the things he said, I did like his tip for remembering people's names. If you say someone's name three times right after you meet them, you are pretty much guaranteed to remember it. I don't usually have a problem with remembering people's names, but I guess if I ever do this tip will come in handy. At least I got SOMETHING out of his speech.
Always, Kalee
Dr. John Lane
Honors Forum II: October 8, 2012
I must say, so far Dr. John Lane has been my favorite speaker by far in the Honors Forum. I loved his genuine personality, and the fact that he chose to be so open about his personal life with our class. That's hard to find in a speaker, and I feel that from now on I will hold all speakers to this standard.
For starters, Dr. Lane is a Periodontist, which is a dentist that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. Now I must admit, I was skeptical when I heard that our speaker was a dentist. From previous experience in the Honors Forum, I have found that some speakers in the medical field tend to be extremely self-righteous. But when it came to Dr. Lane, I realized that I was completely wrong.
Dr. Lane is not your run of the mill, owns his own practice kind of dentist. He helps run a dental clinic that provides people without insurance with proper dental care for only $10.00. Instead of taking the easy way out, Dr. Lane chooses to help people in need. Talk about civic engagement! This guy is truly impressive.
Despite all of his personal accomplishments, Dr. Lane has also had his fair share of struggles. He shared with us that he had a son that was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and that he had sadly passed away. Ouch. That hit home, hard. However, while Dr. Lane's son was still alive, his family was very involved with the United Cerebral Palsy organization. When his son passed, Dr. Lane and his family also visited The Healing Place (sound familiar?) to figure out how to come to terms with their grief.
To sum it all up, I have so much respect for Dr. Lane it's unreal. He is truly an inspiration for anyone who wants to help out in their community by volunteering their time and talents. I hope that in the future, I can have the same impact on my community as Dr. Lane has had on his.
Always, Kalee
I must say, so far Dr. John Lane has been my favorite speaker by far in the Honors Forum. I loved his genuine personality, and the fact that he chose to be so open about his personal life with our class. That's hard to find in a speaker, and I feel that from now on I will hold all speakers to this standard.
For starters, Dr. Lane is a Periodontist, which is a dentist that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. Now I must admit, I was skeptical when I heard that our speaker was a dentist. From previous experience in the Honors Forum, I have found that some speakers in the medical field tend to be extremely self-righteous. But when it came to Dr. Lane, I realized that I was completely wrong.
Dr. Lane is not your run of the mill, owns his own practice kind of dentist. He helps run a dental clinic that provides people without insurance with proper dental care for only $10.00. Instead of taking the easy way out, Dr. Lane chooses to help people in need. Talk about civic engagement! This guy is truly impressive.
Despite all of his personal accomplishments, Dr. Lane has also had his fair share of struggles. He shared with us that he had a son that was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and that he had sadly passed away. Ouch. That hit home, hard. However, while Dr. Lane's son was still alive, his family was very involved with the United Cerebral Palsy organization. When his son passed, Dr. Lane and his family also visited The Healing Place (sound familiar?) to figure out how to come to terms with their grief.
To sum it all up, I have so much respect for Dr. Lane it's unreal. He is truly an inspiration for anyone who wants to help out in their community by volunteering their time and talents. I hope that in the future, I can have the same impact on my community as Dr. Lane has had on his.
Always, Kalee
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Gina Mashburn - Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Honors Forum II: October 1, 2012
Gina Mashburn came to the Honors Forum to speak to us about the mentoring program she directs, Big Brothers, Big Sisters. BBBS is a program that provides a positive adult influence for at-risk children.
Now I'll admit, I was a little disappointed to find out that there is a waiting list of 30 females who have signed up to be paired with a little sister. But my disappointment turned to disbelief when Ms. Mashburn said that she is desperately in need of male volunteers to be big brothers. I cannot wrap my mind around why so few males choose to volunteer.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed hearing about Big Brothers, Big Sisters and how they are making such a great impact in the community. Even though I won't be volunteering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, it is my sincere hope that more males will choose to volunteer and mentor a boy in need of a positive male figure. Until next time!
Always, Kalee
Gina Mashburn came to the Honors Forum to speak to us about the mentoring program she directs, Big Brothers, Big Sisters. BBBS is a program that provides a positive adult influence for at-risk children.
Now I'll admit, I was a little disappointed to find out that there is a waiting list of 30 females who have signed up to be paired with a little sister. But my disappointment turned to disbelief when Ms. Mashburn said that she is desperately in need of male volunteers to be big brothers. I cannot wrap my mind around why so few males choose to volunteer.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed hearing about Big Brothers, Big Sisters and how they are making such a great impact in the community. Even though I won't be volunteering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, it is my sincere hope that more males will choose to volunteer and mentor a boy in need of a positive male figure. Until next time!
Always, Kalee
Monday, October 1, 2012
Emily Baker - Success By 6
Honors Forum II: September 10, 2012
For starters, let me just say that I was completely blown away when I found out that Emily Baker, Director of Success By 6, is only twenty-three years old! Obviously, this lady is pretty impressive. As I listened to Ms. Baker speak about Success By 6, she impressed me even more.
Success By 6 is an early childhood initiative program of United Way that strives to provide appropriate early childhood education. Now to some, this may not seem like a very big deal. I mean, how much do children actually learn in the earliest years of life? Well, let me enlighten you with a few mind-blowing statistics:
- The early years of life, before age 6, offer a crucial window of opportunity to establish a foundation for success in school and life.
- 90% percent of our brain development occurs by age 6. This is true for all children, no matter where they grow up. But children growing up in poverty often have very different early learning experiences than their peers.
- Research shows that by age 3, a child from a professional family has had 30 million more words spoken to him or her than a child from a family living in poverty. This lack of early learning experiences negatively impacts brain development. As a result, disadvantaged children come to school almost two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills, and most never catch up.
Now, from a student who attended a rural elementary, middle, and high school, I definitely understand how big of an impact that reading skills have on a student's ability to succeed. Many of the people I went to elementary school with were not very strong readers. Unfortunately, my school never really took the initiative to help these students catch up and strengthen their reading skills. So as they barely progressed on to middle school, and eventually high school, school was always just a little bit harder for them. Most of these students did not walk across the football field with me at my high school graduation. That, is absolutely heartbreaking.
I believe that what Success By 6 is striving to accomplish is outstanding; however, I was disappointed to find out that only one person has signed up to volunteer with Success By 6. That is all the more reason for me to volunteer!
I'm so excited about my upcoming volunteer opportunities, and I can't wait to see just where they will lead me.
Always, Kalee
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