CLP Service Initiative Curriculum
Sara Busby, Communication Studies Major, Texas Christian University Need for Project
Goals for Project
I believe that CLP needs a standardized seminar during the semester we begin formulating our legacy projects. This curriculum is one way that will satisfy the community outreach component of CLP, as well as give the cohorts a chance to share what they have learned from the program. This project would also satisfy the need for role models and leadership training for high school-aged students. Giving these students leadership skills and opportunities to better understand themselves as leaders is rare; it would create a great relationship between TCU and these outside organizations.
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Purpose CLP has been a wonderful and eye-opening experience for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three semesters in the program; the seminars were beneficial, challenging and I looked forward to seeing my peers every week. Unfortunately as a second semester junior, our seminar was focused on community outreach. Unfortunately this was happening during faculty transitions, and our cohort began to disperse. These changes resulted in miscommunication, absences of accountability and a lack of group cohesion amongst our cohort. This was saddening to me because of how much I enjoyed the program. Because of frustration in the last cohort seminar involving community outreach, I wanted to help develop a program that would bring closure to CLP for me as well as for future classes. Being able to teach and facilitate the content we have learned through the Social Change Model will show growth and prepare the cohort members to begin designing their own legacy projects. Who better to share this information with than young leaders within our community. PowerPoint Template ©2009 Texas Christian University, Center for Instructional Services. For Educational Use Only. Content is the property of the presenter and their resources.
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Formulate a facilitation curriculum for TCU students in CLP or leadership seminars revolving around community outreach and involving surrounding youth organizations (YWLA and HOPE Farm) Introduce the 7 C’s in a manner that relates to a younger generation by having CLP students teach these concepts and lead activities at their assigned organization – designed and used in a curriculum-based manner Allow students in community organizations the opportunity to take the StrengthsQuest quiz Create a lasting relationship between youth organizations in the Fort Worth community and CLP/TCU students by communicating through CLP advisors as the members move on to this last seminar
Partnering Organizations H.O.P.E. Farm is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that provides at risk boys an opportunity to develop life and leadership skills consistent with the Christian faith.
The Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) is Fort Worth ISD’s first single-gender school committed to inspiring confidence and teaching leadership skills to young women.
Significance
Evaluation
This Legacy Project process has proven to be very challenging and frustrating at times. From narrowing down ideas to actually begin the writing curriculum, I struggled with completing it all. Only with the help of our CLP advisors and the collaboration with these outside organizations have I truly seen the significance of this project. I believe that by designing this curriculum for our CLP seminar, I have found an innovative way to express and translate the knowledge we have gained throughout the program. We are displaying the types of leadership skills related to the 7 C’s, specifically Citizenship and Collaboration.. I believe these are very important ideas, and being able to explain and teach these to a younger generation will give them an advantage as they begin to investigate the next part of their lives.
Overall, I believe this project will have a great impact on the Chancellor’s Leadership Program as well as the organizations involved. The curriculum writing process has proved to be very rigorous, challenging and demanding. As I finish the lessons and introduce them to the advisors in CLP, I can begin tailoring these modules to the curriculum in place. Once all of this is completed, I will be able to solidify these teaching opportunities YWLA and H.O.P.E. Farm; I hope they can see the value these trainings will hold. I would not be able to accomplish any of this without all that I have learned through the CLP curriculum. I was challenged to question the status quo, see the importance of diversity and how finding your passions and acting on them can create social change.
Plan of Action 1) Curriculum/Facilitaiton Design – formulate and create activities that relate to the 7 C’s of the Social Change Leadership model that can be used and taught to high school-age students. 2) Communication and Connections to Organizations – I have been in contact with the Director’s of two organizations that I believe would be great partners for the community outreach component: the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) in the Fort Worth ISD and H.O.P.E. Farm, an after school program for young boys in Fort Worth. Both service students in 9th – 12th grade and the kids who attend already have an interest in leadership and creating a better self. 3) CLP Seminar Component – discuss curriculum ideas and facilitation tactics with CLP advisors and Steering Committee. This is to make sure the curriculum satisfies CLP’s goals and objectives. It must fit the community outreach seminar component so that they may visit these outside organizations to teach what they have learned. 4) Trial Seminar/Teaching Experience – I am in the process of scheduling a meeting with the Director’s of both outside organizations so that I may describe CLP, our purpose, the significance of my project and why I think this would be a great connection for our program.
Acknowledgements I would like to thank all of the CLP advisors, the partnering organizations, all of the CLP members, my parents and friends. I would have never been able to accomplish any of these goals without your continued support and encouragement.