BY: AU ST I N L A RG E T E X A S F FA A S S O C I AT I O N E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES, AND SERVING THEM WELL
I
t’s the most wonderful time of the year! Winter is a time I look forward to each year because it provides a break in our busy schedules to rest and reflect with our friends and family. If only for a moment, the world seems to collectively pause to reset everyone for the new year looming on the horizon. While I love winter for holiday treats, sweater weather, and family time, I love it most because it’s a time when people shift the focus from themselves to others. From November 1st to January 1st, my social media timeline is often filled with FFA chapters, members, and advisors sharing their efforts to help those in need. Serving at soup kitchens, hosting canned food drives, collecting coats and toys, sponsoring families through angel trees, the list goes on and on. This is when many of us take steps to serve our communities, and it is inspiring to see the “Living to Serve” portion of the motto play out in real life! But what happens after January 1st? How do we continue to build up our community and support those who need it most? While giving is a hallmark of the
winter season, it’s a mindset that can be harnessed and capitalized on all year long. Serving our communities, and serving them well, can become a year-long process for agriculture programs and FFA chapters rather than an annual event during the holidays. There are many benefits to our programs and students: Everyone wants to make an impact. Human beings are wired for connection, and helping others when need is a great way to connect. Those connections make real the issues being faced by others and increase our desire to want to solve those problems. Service allows students to take control of situations and circumstances and actively take steps to bring about a resolution. As the last paragraph of the creed states, service allows your students to “exert an influence in your home and community which will stand solid, for my part…” of making the world around them better.
global economy, understanding those who are different from us must start at home. Serving causes and organizations within your community expose students to people from various backgrounds, who each have their own unique experiences. Rolling up our sleeves and serving others not only helps us to learn about and appreciate differences, but it also helps to see how exactly we are similar. Engaging in service is an opportunity to broaden our students’ perspectives. Meeting others. Volunteering is an excellent outlet for meeting other people. Serving others can put you faceto-face with people in your community. You’re able to form bonds and connections with those you serve for and with. Additionally, partnering with other community organizations is a great way to expand your own personal and professional network. These connections can be invaluable as we seek to grow opportunities for young people.
Develop a richer perspective of the world. The world is more Skill attainment and interconnected now than it has refinement. Serving your ever been. If we want to prepare community is an excellent way students to find their role in the for students to learn new skills 34
