FFA DEFINES LEADERSHIP AS INFLUENCE: EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVES

FFA DEFINES LEADERSHIP AS INFLUENCE: EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVES

I believe that three of the most powerful words in the universe are “living to serve.” As teachers, we do it every day.

Recently, I was asked what advice I would give to a couple of new parents, and the one thing that stood foremost in my mind was, “model the behavior you want your children to emulate.” I truly believe that applies to anyone that finds themselves surrounded by children or students every day.

All of us can mold the minds we spend the most time with, the ones that spend the most time with us. It can be a scary responsibility. However, a very fulfilling one. This is just one of the many reasons I believe community service is an essential aspect of any chapter program of activities.

It does not matter what size your community is; there is always a need to be met. With Weimar FFA, over the years, our members have carried out countless service acts locally, and we make a point to embrace projects in other communities that we visit.

Some examples include refurbishing a dilapidated mobile home for a single mother in Houston, making peanut butter sandwiches for the homeless in Dallas, handing out care kits in Fort Worth, cleaning community gardens in Lubbock, cleaning beaches in Corpus Christi, and the list goes on.

There are so many ways to make a difference through community service. Here are a few tips to help your chapter get started.

LET YOUR KIDS COME UP WITH THE SERVICE PROJECT IDEAS

If your students feel like they own the ideas, they are more likely to engage and embrace the projects fully. That’s how the “Weimar FFA We Care and Assist those in Need Community Food Pantry” came about. One summer at our officer camp, we planned ideas for the year and talked about community service projects. The talk of food drives morphed into free lunches during school, and then the question was asked, “how do children eat when we are not in school?”

Fast forward to October of that year, and our local region service center was offering grants for innovative projects. The officers filled it out, and surprise, we got one! That first grant was used to buy food, an old portable classroom was offered as a location, we received another local grant to refurbish it, and so it went. Twenty-one years later, here we are, still providing a much- -needed service to our local students.

KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN FOR IDEAS

There are countless opportunities to make a difference in your local school district; you just must think outside of the box. For example, frequently, schools hold college signings for athletes, but why are we not celebrating those who are selflessly signing up to serve our country in the military? Our chapter members felt this was very skewed, so the Service Signing Celebration came into being. Share this idea with your students and see what happens! It is a great way to lift those individuals and thank them for their willingness to serve.

DON’T PASS UP ON THE LITTLE THINGS

Supply drives are always a needed service project. Your chapter can collect anything from school supplies, coats, hygiene items, children’s books, etc. There are also a lot of opportunities to partner with established charities, such as the Salvation Army Angel Tree program or Toys for Tots. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel!

The important thing is that your members should be responsible for doing the work. Empower them to make the calls, set up the project, advertise to their peers, then deliver the items.

MODEL BEHAVIOR

Be the person that does not ask someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself. One year our members participated in the “Kids Against Hunger” event at a neighboring school district. One of our FFA alumni went along with our members since our advisors were all at in-service. When they arrived, the FFA members received instructions about how to pack and box the meals. As she and the kids got busy, the other advisors went to sit and watch. What’s wrong with this picture?

EMBRACE THE SERVICE MENTALITY

You will be surprised how your community will embrace your efforts. People will come to you with ideas, and others will volunteer their time and offer financial help; some will even want to partner! Embrace the opportunities and create a legacy that will stand the test of time.