With 3 Leadership Certificate Students, I probably should develop a journal to record our meetings, topics of discussions, follow up, etc.
In addition, I need to develop a plan for developing the So Am I from the Ross/Eubanks/Roque perspective.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Making Progress
A couple of days ago, I woke up stressed over the possibility that I might be overextended in my philanthropic and political endeavors. I spent the morning writing and organizing my activities.
The exercise was helpful and inspired the creation of this blog.
My activities in no particular order are:
o Coaching, mentoring, and networking
o Leadership skills coaching and workshops
o Creation of the University of Illinois "So Am I Campaign"
o Student Affairs Advisory Council
o Expanding the Republican Party.
My first true entry reflected some of my Republican Party work. After Monday night's meeting, I agreed to work with another committee member to create questions for an upcoming debate.
Yesterday, I spent some time with some follow up coaching with one of my current leadership certificate students. I offered a perspective of humility. To often, people think that they must exercise humility when they are realizing success. Basically, so as not to get a swelled head. I noted that one must be humble also when times are difficult. Too often, a person will take on too much responsibility for difficult times. In that situation, they are effectively taking too much credit for a bad consequence which, in a perverse sense, is just as vain as taking too much credit for success.
I used the humility theme to remind the student that in good times or bad, it's helpful to reflect on one's self, abilities, and good fortunes. In this manner, one reinforces one's identity. It can keep one humble, in a true sense.
I spent much of today indulging myself. I read the news in the morning, exercised, and then enjoyed the companionship of friends during lunch.
The exercise was helpful and inspired the creation of this blog.
My activities in no particular order are:
o Coaching, mentoring, and networking
o Leadership skills coaching and workshops
o Creation of the University of Illinois "So Am I Campaign"
o Student Affairs Advisory Council
o Expanding the Republican Party.
My first true entry reflected some of my Republican Party work. After Monday night's meeting, I agreed to work with another committee member to create questions for an upcoming debate.
Yesterday, I spent some time with some follow up coaching with one of my current leadership certificate students. I offered a perspective of humility. To often, people think that they must exercise humility when they are realizing success. Basically, so as not to get a swelled head. I noted that one must be humble also when times are difficult. Too often, a person will take on too much responsibility for difficult times. In that situation, they are effectively taking too much credit for a bad consequence which, in a perverse sense, is just as vain as taking too much credit for success.
I used the humility theme to remind the student that in good times or bad, it's helpful to reflect on one's self, abilities, and good fortunes. In this manner, one reinforces one's identity. It can keep one humble, in a true sense.
I spent much of today indulging myself. I read the news in the morning, exercised, and then enjoyed the companionship of friends during lunch.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
My Increasing Political Involvement
For most of my adult life, I was not affiliated with either the Democratic or the Republican parties. As a result, my voting record is varied. I have failed to vote in as many primary elections as I have voted. I also believe that in the primary elections in which I have voted, I have drawn a Democratic ballot as often as I have drawn a Republican ballot.
In the past year, I joined the Republican Party. This occurred, first, in my efforts to assist a friend begin his candidacy to seek the Republican nomination for the US Congressional seat for my district. This was not the reason to join the Party, however.
My decision to join the Party resulted from my concerns over the direction of the country as a result of the Democrats wielding power in both the legislative and executive branches. This concern was further supported when I realized that our State's financial difficulties, at both the governmental and business levels, originates from Democratic control of both branches.
The decision to join the Republican Party was not an easy one. I don't line up completely with all of the Party's current positions. In particular, I have difficulty with a number of its social positions. I do, however, line up strongly with its economic and tax positions and its beliefs in the U.S. free market system.
As I considered my own positions, I realized that I could be categorized as a moderate Republican or a conservative Democrat. Considering our current political environment, I chose the Republican Party because I believe there is an inherent corruption to one party dominance in Springfield or Washington. We need more Republican representation to provide the necessary check and balance to the current ruling party.
I also believe that being adding more moderates to the Republican Party will improve the Party's chances to be more representative of the American public and to diminish its image as being run by the religious right and ultra-conservatives.
This latter objective is difficult. It's always a challenge to be tolerant of opposing points of view; more so when the opposing points of view are intolerant. It's also difficult to immerse one into a group where one's credentials are whether one has consistently voted Republican.
Yet, the challenges and efforts will be worthwhile if I keep in mind my desires, dreams and objectives for an improved government and a more represntative political process and I remain true to my own values.
In the past year, I joined the Republican Party. This occurred, first, in my efforts to assist a friend begin his candidacy to seek the Republican nomination for the US Congressional seat for my district. This was not the reason to join the Party, however.
My decision to join the Party resulted from my concerns over the direction of the country as a result of the Democrats wielding power in both the legislative and executive branches. This concern was further supported when I realized that our State's financial difficulties, at both the governmental and business levels, originates from Democratic control of both branches.
The decision to join the Republican Party was not an easy one. I don't line up completely with all of the Party's current positions. In particular, I have difficulty with a number of its social positions. I do, however, line up strongly with its economic and tax positions and its beliefs in the U.S. free market system.
As I considered my own positions, I realized that I could be categorized as a moderate Republican or a conservative Democrat. Considering our current political environment, I chose the Republican Party because I believe there is an inherent corruption to one party dominance in Springfield or Washington. We need more Republican representation to provide the necessary check and balance to the current ruling party.
I also believe that being adding more moderates to the Republican Party will improve the Party's chances to be more representative of the American public and to diminish its image as being run by the religious right and ultra-conservatives.
This latter objective is difficult. It's always a challenge to be tolerant of opposing points of view; more so when the opposing points of view are intolerant. It's also difficult to immerse one into a group where one's credentials are whether one has consistently voted Republican.
Yet, the challenges and efforts will be worthwhile if I keep in mind my desires, dreams and objectives for an improved government and a more represntative political process and I remain true to my own values.
Monday, November 9, 2009
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