beacon vo lu m e 1, issu e 1
February 2017
the Leadership Workshop coordinator welcomes excited high school delegates.
inside this issue: It's a Process
2
New Staff
2
About Leadership Workshop
4
"
Leadership Workshop teaches students the importance of working together, serving others, and how to apply certain skills to the outside community.
it's not a product ; it's a process In high school, Becky Jacobs started Feed The Need, an organization whose main purpose is to serve food to the homeless. As she ran this organization, her contagious passion spread to a small group of peers. Jacobs had never considered herself much of a leader, but the role of organizer seemed to fall into her lap as Feed the Need started coming together. Her small beginnings soon had all the makings of an organization, but she didn’t know where to go from there.
Months passed with Jacobs doubting her ability to sustain Feed The Need as a full-fledged organization. When the -Allison Rowell, Coordinator solution as to how to continue successof Membership fully her organization finally arrived to her, it was as clear as a far-sighted perLEADERSHIP son putting on glasses for the very first WORKSHOP time. Jacobs realized her guidance
LW
"
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
counselor had told her about a useful seminar held in the spring. This seminar, known as Leadership Workshop, was the answer that Jacobs needed to successfully continue Feed The Need. Leadership Workshop is a weekend seminar aimed at high schoolers, teaching them alternative ways of being effective leaders. The seminar is conducted so high school students like Jacobs can learn how to push their boundaries as students through skits, games and other interactive activities that result in confidence increases to lead groups. The program focuses on teaching young adults how to work together in group settings through effective communication.
(see process, p.2)
PAGE 2
delegates shake their feet in the air while participating for a group bonding activity.
process
(CONTINUED)
There are students in high schools all across the nation with leadership potential. Jacobs’s story is a fictitious story used to model the type of students willing to enhance their leadership qualities. Everyone is part of a group, but what matters is how individuals work within a group. Group bonding and development is essential when learning about leadership. People must learn how to work with one another and learn how to come to consensus on certain issues. There doesn’t
have to be one person in control of the group for others to show they can lead. To show leadership capabilities one must have the group’s best interest at heart. Showing compassion and fairness will improve relationships in a group. Becoming a better leader doesn’t only benefit students in clubs but also those who have a hard time getting out of their comfort zone. Leadership Workshop teaches leadership characteristics,
but during the process delegates feel more confident getting out of their bubbles. The ability to lead is a characteristic that can be obtained by anyone, and that is the overall goal of Leadership Workshop: Trying to implement leadership in high schools. “Leadership workshop is a unique opportunity to push your boundaries, make new friends and learn how to contribute to a (see process, p.3)
join leadership workshop's new staff Among the 357 organizations at James Madison University (JMU) Leadership Workshop (LW) is an organization that contributes to Harrisonburg area high schools. LW hosts a fun-filled weekend for students, wherein they learn how to make group decisions, learn about group dynamic and take what they learn back to their own schools’ clubs.
beaco n
LW encourages leadership training so schools have strong student activities. LW is an organization of passionate college student leaders who have a desire to teach high schoolers about the importance of working together and serving others. The workshops are held in Harrisonburg area high schools.
“We are hoping to [have] a huge impact on the local schools,” said
Allison Rowell, LW’s membership coordinator. “Speaking from personal experience, learning leadership skills at a young age definitely helps with communication, confidence and success.” According to Kathy Wine, a local Harrisonburg mom of two high school teens, this organization’s involvement in Harrisonburg will (see Staff, p.3)
PAGE 3
vo lu m e 1, issu e 1
process
(CONTINUED)
staff
(continued)
be an improvement in the school. Wine thinks the area high schools are lacking leadership program, but LW will give students an opportunity to explore their leadership skills as they learn in groups.
High school delegate repping jmu gear at her first Leadership workshop. better tomorrow for everyone,” said Kristina Berney, a Virginia Beach high school teacher and 1999 Leadership Workshop alumni. “Even after a decade of going, I still walk away on Sunday sleep deprived but reinvigorated and energized.” “I think everyone can benefit from a workshop teaching leadership because [leadership] does not come easily,” stated Elizabeth Armstrong, a lecturer in the school of communication studies at James Madison University (JMU). Some are under the wrong impression that talking like a leader, thinking like a leader and managing as a leader come easily. “Leading is not a product: it’s a process,” Armstrong added.
Armstrong, who received her doctorate degree in leadership studies at Andrews University, believes that leaders need “charisma, determination and interpersonal communication skills.” Those qualities can be attainable by many but take time to develop. Patience is part of the process when becoming a leader. Gaining leadership characteristics will create endless opportunities in the future. Leadership is not something one is born with but something that is developed through life. Leadership Workshop facilitates the attainment of goals in high school students, leading them in turn to have skills in demands in college or in the work place.
LW is seeking student leaders to be a part of its club. The LW executive board highly encourages every JMU student to attend Student Organization Night in January 2017. Student Org Night, a night where many organizations present their goals, will be held at JMU’s University Recreation Center’s (UREC) upper turf. For more information on LW, call Allison Rowell at 757-282-3522.
LW
LW
will challenge you, inspire you and " Itmotivate you to be the best version of yourself.
LW has planned information sessions for current JMU students from the first week of school in January. Information sessions allow current JMU students to understand the base of LW. The LW executive board explains how the workshops are run and what activities students can select during the workshop weekend. In addition, LW staff plans on hosting a bake sale as a way to fundraise for the organization.
-Kristina Berney, teacher at a Virginia Beach high school
"
high school teachers showing excitement seeing students involved with their skit.
beaco n
LW
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
170 Bluestone Dr. MSC 3506 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 phone: 757-282-3522 email: rowellam@dukes.jmu.edu
ABOUT LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP Leadership Workshop, an organization originating in Virginia, is in various elementary, middle and high schools. LW will increase student participation in high school organizations and allow students to apply for leadership positions in clubs. For more infor mation, visit https:// beinvolved.Jmu.Edu/organization/leadershipworkshop
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP 170 Bluestone Dr. MSC 3506 Harrisonburg, VA 22807
place stamp here