Reflection

"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, 
it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication,
 self-discipline, and effort." -Jesse Owens

I think that through this experience I have learned that although we may be wearing different letters we all have similar ideals, practices and beliefs. It is nice to know that everyone in this class has gone through similar leadership experiences that I have and if I have yet to experience some situations I feel comfortable in asking for help or advice and applying it to my chapter. 

I think that we have developed respect for one another and it is up to us to continue to foster these relationship and take them back to our houses and chapters and continue to foster them with the other members of our Greek community. Greek Week is the perfect way to begin the change of fostering strong relationships with other chapters. However, it is up to us to keep these relationships strong once this week is over and to begin to form bonds with other chapters we were not paired with. Greek Week is easy. What is hard is continuing to model the way and include all chapters in our commitment to engage the whole Greek community. What comes after Greek Week is effort and dedication. Without effort our newly formed bonds will begin to disintegrate. If we want to leave a legacy we must be dedicated.

We have a common vision: to foster relationships with all members of the greek community. As chapter presidents it is now our opportunity to lead by example and demonstrate to others in our community how much we can truly learn from each other. We must collaborate, and engage for the betterment of our community, campus and nation in order to create a better image for the Greek community across the nation and make our founders proud of what we have accomplished.

Passion and Commitment

 "Anyone can dabble, but once you've made that commitment, 

your blood has that particular thing in it, and it's very hard

 for people to stop you" - Bill Cosby

Commitment is the base and foundation needed to start change. This commitment is driven by the passion within someone. Passion and commitment create the leaders of our world. By being passionate and committed you are less likely to burnout or resent the change project you are leading. But, how do you ensure that your commitment to change remains aligned with your personal values when, in a group atmosphere, you have several different opinions contributing?

 I personally always refer back to the core values statement of my organization to confirm that the plan of action mirrors the values and goal our founders set many years ago. Because I believe and identify so strongly with our organization’s values I can use the ritual book to remind others of our purpose in creating a change such as mandatory study tables. The ritual book has helped me become a successful leader who upholds values both personally and within the organization.

Contribution

“We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world.” 

– Woodrow Wilson

One of the hardest things to accept when working with others is that everyone has different opinions. I cannot even begin to count the number of times the phrase “I agree to disagree” has left my mouth. However, one thing I have learned as president is that the values of Alpha Epsilon Phi are non-negotiable. So, what do you do when everyone lives out a certain value differently? Cooperation is key. Different viewpoints allow different paths to follow while living true to the values of Alpha Epsilon Phi. These different views only help others live the ritual to their fullest extent without feeling as though they are being told what to do.  My chapter has agreed on how to be academically successful: study tables. However, rather than just telling them to be at a certain place at a certain time we let them pick the date and time that works best for them each week. We also have “themed” study tables based on major so that these tables can also function as tutor time as well. Some girls have also formed study groups at their houses so that they can encourage each other during tough school weeks. The freedom within the “study table” obligation has allowed for each girl to contribute something they value in an academic environment to our chapter. The range of cooperation from simply having a buddy to walk with to the library to a tutor within our chapter proves that transforming personal values into shared group values will help enrich the chapter. Members can live congruently to what both they believe and what is written in the ritual book they strive to live by with just a little help from a fellow sister.

Values

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 "Happiness is the state of consciousness which proceeds
 from the achievement of one's values."- Ayn Rand

Values are what we hold to a high standard in life and are things that we were raised upon. Most people hold different things close to their heart. Values can range from faith to academics and can encompass many aspects. Many of my personal values are based upon things I learned throughout my elementary school and middle school years and are based on faith in my religion and its history. My values push me to be the best version of myself.

I want to thrive both inside and outside of school and make those around me proud of my success. I also appreciate the challenges I face that push me to better myself. Often these challenges center on my moral compass and I look to the values instilled in me at young age to guide my decisions.

Tangible signs help remind me to stay in check with my values: I wear a Hamsa bracelet everyday as a symbol of my religion and every time I look at it I remember the values I learned through my study of the Torah and life experiences. Looking at this small reminder helps me reflect on the decisions I made in the past few hours. Often, for me, this reflection occurs while I am running on a treadmill. As I run, I think of both the positives and negatives of my day and how I can improve upon the decisions I make. Running is my time for reflection and after a run I always feel better.

My Value Statement

I am a firm believer in leading by example and confronting issues head- on with respect for my family, peers and sisters. I also believe that another great rule to live by is to forgive and forget: never hold a grudge. The inception of an idea or any compromise should be in alignment with my values and beliefs and should never stray from those core ideas. However, at the end of the day, nothing should be taken too seriously and a good laugh is all I need. I will learn from my mistakes and move on to tomorrow when I will, without a doubt, be more successful than the day before.

Visions, Aims & Values

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“Many hearts, one purpose”

The values of Alpha Epsilon Phi are seen on our crest. The three columns Α, Ε & Φ stand for faculty approval, student esteem and sorority fidelity. These are the guidelines our members. The columns remind each woman how they should represent themselves and the characteristics they should strive to hold. These however are not just our values; these three columns represent the vision we hold for Rho chapter of Alpha Epsilon Phi: the columns exemplify the aims we have for the present and future.

Faculty approval, student esteem and sorority fidelity are the basis for how our programming is set. Whether it be study tables, diversity events, or sisterhoods; each agenda relates back to the three core values of our national organization. The executive board uses our vision of long-lasting faculty approval, student esteem and sorority fidelity as a means of reconciling differences in opinions. When an issue arises we always remind the chapter and ourselves that when we joined Alpha Epsilon Phi we were given the task of upholding these three values; therefore, we must strive to remain true to our pledge- Above All Else.

Collaboration

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

- Helen Keller

Collaboration involves many ideas, inputs and outlooks to be observed; which is why collaboration can also lead to controversy. We must learn about the controversies involved in collaboration in order to avoid them. First, when there are many diverse members of an organization there will be many ideas and opinions. Ideas are always helpful and welcome; however, many of them can often be overwhelming.

Everyone desires to have his or her voice heard and idea chosen as “the best”, after all competition is human nature. Although we can ask everyone to partake in brainstorming for events the monsoon of ideas that come is always extensive. Then there comes the point when those ideas must be compromised for the good of the chapter. Compromising is complicated because of competition. The compromising process may offend or sadden one or more members. They may feel as if their idea was not worthy enough of implementation, which is very often not the case. As a leader, this distresses me because I think everyone has great ideas they just aren’t always realistic or timely for certain situations, which I always make a point of explaining.

In order to fix this problem of competition amongst members, it is important to address the idea of competing from the beginning and stress that all ideas are great but in order to achieve the best outcome a combination of concepts is key. As members with a common purpose, everyone should be willing to compromise. We are here to support each other and have our voices heard. Therefore, through collaboration we will create the best organizations possible in which everyone’s voice is heard and accounted for.

Citizenship

“It’s not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen”- Aristotle

I can admit that I was once not always a good citizen and often focused solely on myself and not those or the community around me. A good citizen should know and understand how the society around them is functioning and developing; but a great citizen, will understand how the world and all its countries are operating and progressing. A great citizen will do things to challenge a falsehood in society and collaborate with others to better the world with fundamental, transformative change. 

It was not until I had entered college and became active in my scholars program that I met a diverse group of people, bringing my attention to different causes in different areas of the world. I began to learn that completing simple service tasks did not make me a great citizen.

Coming from a very sheltered life I wasn’t truly aware of issues around the world or of the effort needed to make a pronounced difference. As the year progressed, I began to act and engage in committees and groups around Columbus that would enable me to change the world we live in for the better. Not everyone was as lucky as I am to live a privileged life, and I am extremely thankful for that and became more thankful the more often I volunteered. As a citizen of the world, it is up to me to make a difference and engage myself in the communities to which I belong and join in other efforts to make my efforts count. 

The Greek community plays a major role in improving the Columbus community. Our chapters engage on local and even global levels through philanthropy events and service trips. The more we partake in being great citizens on our campus the more likely we are to graduate and emerge into being great citizens of the globe. 

By communicating this message to our chapter members we can motivate them to get involved, rather than just donating money they can take action and get others motivated to practice citizenship. But, most importantly: lead by example. Be a good citizen. Get involved.

Transformative Change

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“They say that time changes things, but you actually 
have to change them yourself.”

-Andy Warhol

Change will not occur if we sit by waiting for someone to act first. Change will not occur if we do not work toward it. Just like with anything else you will not see results unless you work toward them. Action is key. But, we cannot change the world alone. So what do you do?

You start the movement. You use your idea, your dream, and your vision. We must believe that we have the ability to change our community and even the world for the better.

The desire for change in our world today is omnipresent. It is constantly circulating throughout the media, making it even easier to get backing in your movement. One tweet can start the change. But, this change must be pre-meditated in order to succeed to its fullest potential.

This means you need a plan of action. This plan of action should tackle the four fundamental topics that make up transformative change:

1.     Altering behaviors, opinions, and processes

2.     Deep and persuasive change

3.     Intentional change

4.     Occurs over time (this is where Andy Warhol comes in)

After your change has been enacted it will propagate over time. The process is irreversible: a new way of thinking and acting will have been introduced by you, making the world a better place, just how you envisioned it.

An example of a woman responsible for transformative change is Elizabeth Glaser. One of Alpha Epsilon Phi’s national philanthropies is the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. Elizabeth Glaser started a movement to raise awareness for pediatric aids on her own and over time her philanthropy has raised millions of dollars to help combat the disease. She is responsible for a major change in the philanthropic community and I am honored to support such a transformative cause that has now made great strides in several different countries throughout the world. Her legacy lives on throughout the world and that, to me, defines transformation.

Social Change

"Social change agents must be willing to learn as they go; to listen to those around them and those most directly affected, and be open to learning where they were wrong."

- Leadership for a Better World

 

 I have heard time and time again from members of my chapter that certain issues are "not my problem" but, if they concern the chapter or your community, they most definitely concern you. This attitude is often associated with laziness. Many often associate social change as a huge political upheaval or ordeal and therefore are driven away from change and would rather complain about what they don't like rather than make an effort to remedy the issue. 
Being part of the Greek community has taught me that change can be brought about in small ways; this is often how the most powerful movements originate. After all, Martin Luther King was just an average person at one time. The phrase “think globally, act locally” exemplifies a majority of the service Ohio State students organize. The local efforts we take part in serve as examples to the community we live in and communities around us. By example we are able to promote positive social change through the use of not only our actions but also our words. Currently, social media is used to promote every thought that comes to mind. These thoughts most often encourage change. Now is the time to act on them. Now is the time to lead by example.