In this Leadership Studies (LEST 3010) assignment I helped organize and work a community service event. The culmination of the project was a reflective essay about my experience serving the community.
Brian Ingram
November 15, 2007
LEST 3010
Community Service Project
Community Service Project:
Mitchell-Neilson Elementary ESP Fall Festival
Project Summary
The Extended Schools Program of Murfreesboro City Schools has 11 sites in the school district. The ESP program operates from 6 a.m. until 7:15 a.m. and from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Students receive homework help, tutoring, and attend enrichment classes. The Fall Festival at Mitchell-Neilson Elementary is an annual event where students participate in various activities the staff and volunteers put together for them. Some of the activities include: a moon bounce, cakewalk, football/basketball throw, limo rides, hayrides, face/hair painting, ring toss, and various concessions. The staff and volunteers from the community help operate the festival’s activities. The festival lasts from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Personal Application
I chose this project because I enjoy working with and being around children. Working the Fall Festival taught me a lot about myself. Even though there was not any monetary compensation involved I got great joy from working with this project. Seeing the children smile was worth all the time and effort I invested in the festival. I spent 2 hours working on the haunted house and other decorations. The other 3 hours were spent working the festival and cleaning up afterwards. Even though I work at the school, I have never been able to interact with the children on that level. It was not about getting homework done or discipline issues during the festival. It was all about having fun, which in turn made me feel like a kid all over again. I learned that true happiness comes from within. It was a lot of work involved with the project. I even broke a sweat once or twice, but the experience was so enjoyable I hardly noticed. I look forward to working with the festival again next year.
Servant Leadership
Servant-Leadership is a practical philosophy, which supports people who choose to serve first, and then lead as a way of expanding service to individuals and institutions (Class Notes). Characteristics of a servant leader include: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, commitment to the growth of people, and building community (Class Notes). Several of these characteristics apply to my servant leadership skills and my service project. When dealing with children one of the most important characteristics to have is the ability. Children need to be able to talk to you and feel confident that you are being attentive to what they are saying. Awareness is another important characteristic to have when dealing with children. Children naturally get into things so you must be aware of what is going on with or around them. Being committed to he growth of people is necessary when dealing with children. Children, especially those in the elementary age bracket, need guidance to help them grow physically and mentally. Lastly, building a sense of community with kids is very important so that they are able to develop the skills to work with others. I truly enjoyed this project and the opportunity to learn about myself.
Works Cited: Servant Leadership Class Notes, D. Raffo, 2007.
