So I took a couple days to really reflect on my experience. At this point, I'm in post-NGLA depression, that feeling you get like after a concert and it happened so fast you want to relive it.
I do wish I had more time to talk with the 39 incredible DPHIE's that went to NGLA including International Headquarters Officials who I had such amazing and constructive conversations with. I went to NGLA wanting to talk to local chapters and push my anti-hazing agenda, especially for my own sisterhood whose guiding principles are Justice, sisterhood, and love. However, I came, with a bigger mission, I came back to BSU with a new plan, a plan of action. I have been in the process of searching for grad schools, and now, my top choice is a school with a chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon, and my dream would to be their advisor. To lead a group of undergraduate women towards a brighter and more fulfilled future. I now have a great amount of ideas and strategies to improve my chapter. I've also gained leadership skills that will help me in any position I take on in my sorority.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Thanks for the memories
Coming home after spending the weekend at NGLA was bittersweet. I learned a lot about myself, as well as ways to help improve our Greek Community. I am excited to share my experience with my chapter on Tuesday. The sessions had greak speakers who shared inspiring stories and ways to improve our organizations. Although some of the sessions were not what I expected, I was still grateful to be there. I enjoyed getting to know other members of the Greek Community and meeting members of my organization from other schools.
Thank you IFC and Panhel for putting on a great conference, I can't wait to encourage more members to apply next year and see how our community will continue to grow.
I was honored to have been chosen to attend this NGLA this year and am thanful I had the opportunity to experience it. Spending time with the delegation made me realize what a great Greek Community we have at BSU and I am proud to be a part of it.
Thank you IFC and Panhel for putting on a great conference, I can't wait to encourage more members to apply next year and see how our community will continue to grow.
I was honored to have been chosen to attend this NGLA this year and am thanful I had the opportunity to experience it. Spending time with the delegation made me realize what a great Greek Community we have at BSU and I am proud to be a part of it.
The City of Dreams
The evening before our departure for NGLA, I was hanging out with two of my friends Haylee and Matt. As we were walking to the parking garage, we all brought up our upcoming plans for the weekend. I mentioned I was going to NGLA. Matt asked where it was. Haylee answered "It's in Hartford, also known as the City of Dreams!" Matt looked at us confused but not quite in disbelief. Haylee explained she was just kidding and we all shifted into a new conversation.
Little did Haylee, Matt or I know that Hartford is in fact the city of dreams, well at least this past weekend it was. The first presentation at NGLA was called Be The Dream Maker. Keynote speaker, Michelle Guobadia discussed that over the years, the Greek community has lost our way, steered off the path and forgotten our common goal. Men and women formed these organizations in secret, to come together to learn and be better overall. They didn't create these organizations to create drama, host parities or do poorly in our academic courses. Men and women had a dream. In order to continue their accomplishments, we must work together, to continue to be the dream maker and not the dream killer.
The rest of the sessions were also impactful. They taught and reminded me to look into the perspective of other people and to appreciate what we have. They also reminded me that it's okay to make mistakes. However, in order to learn from them, we must own up, and be accountable. Stop pointing fingers at other people and just own it. Own it for yourself, your chapter and your community.
I'm so thankful for this incredible experience. I'd like to thank Panhel, IFC in providing me the wonderful opportunity to go to NGLA. I recommend any member of their individual organiztion to apply! These blogposts I have written over the past few days honestly does not do the conference justice. I think these sessions are not only benefical to people who hold positions in their respected fraternity or sorority, but members who are curious, willing to learn, want to grow and want to make a difference in our community. I also would like to congradulate MB! Your hardwork does not go unnoticed and I'm so happy you earned the Philippi Award
Thanks again to everyone that made this opportunity possible. I had an amazing weekend that several of the sessions will resonate with me for years to come. I'm looking forward to relaying the information back to our chapter president and with the community! We must continue the dream of our founding members. We have all worked so hard and have come too far to be the dream killers.
That's a wrap!
I can't believe that NGLA is over now... It just seems like yesterday I received the email to say I was lucky enough to be chosen for this amazing opportunity. Although I can say the weekend absolutely FLEW by, it was filled with so much fun and so much learning. I know coming back from NGLA I am a better leader and individual than when I first arrived.
Words cannot express how thankful I am to IFC and Panhellenic for allowing me the opportunity to attend this weekend. I also can't thank MB and Emma enough for being amazing role models for me and all the other delegates this weekend.
Coming away from NGLA, I know have made amazing new friendships and have memories I will always be able to look back on. Without a doubt, I would highly recommend that every member of the Greek community should apply to NGLA in the future. It doesn't matter if you have a position or not or if you've been in your organization long or not. NGLA can help everyone grow as an individual and become more confident in who they are as an individual and as a leader.
I can't wait to share all the information I learned with my chapter and see how we can grow!
Words cannot express how thankful I am to IFC and Panhellenic for allowing me the opportunity to attend this weekend. I also can't thank MB and Emma enough for being amazing role models for me and all the other delegates this weekend.
Coming away from NGLA, I know have made amazing new friendships and have memories I will always be able to look back on. Without a doubt, I would highly recommend that every member of the Greek community should apply to NGLA in the future. It doesn't matter if you have a position or not or if you've been in your organization long or not. NGLA can help everyone grow as an individual and become more confident in who they are as an individual and as a leader.
I can't wait to share all the information I learned with my chapter and see how we can grow!
DiNardo sweet DiNardo
We left Hartford at 9am and we had Starbucks for breakfast. Tip: don't order a venti if you are determinined to not make any pit stops during the road trip. As much as I loved my time at NGLA and the bonding I did with my fellow Greeks, I was happy to come back to my single room and my single bed in good 'ol DiNardo (true the amenities aren't as nice, but my introverted side is happy).
What I've gained from this weekend in Hartford is a sense of appreciation. There have been several instances throughout this conference where I was reminded how thankful I am for what I have in Greek life. I am thankful that at BSU we do not experience the common problems that other campuses face. Over the past few days I've heard delegates give examples such as poor relations with administrations, departments, and surrounding communities, tension between organizations, hazing, and apathy. I feel so grateful to have an amazing community at BSU. One where we are supported and respected by our university president, fire and police departments, staff professionals. I am appreciative, more than I can express, that we have a Greek community that respects each other and enjoys spending time with each other; it truly is an asset that makes us stronger. I am thankful that we have chapters that have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to hazing and that we have members that respect one another. Most of all I am thankful that we have such passionate members in BSU Greek life. This weekend so many people I met said they had to really push people to want to attend NGLA or that this wasn't their first time attending the annual conference. As jealous as I was that I knew this would be my only time at NGLA, I reminded myself that I should be thankful that I was given this opportunity, and thankful that we have so many passionate leaders that make getting a spot at this conference competitive. I am also thankful that there are new delegates each year so that we have fresh faces to lead our community.
I highly recommend every member of our community applies to attend NGLA because it was an amazing experience filled with learning, networking, bonding, and fun. I will always appreciate this opportunity I've been given and would not replace it for anything.
What I've gained from this weekend in Hartford is a sense of appreciation. There have been several instances throughout this conference where I was reminded how thankful I am for what I have in Greek life. I am thankful that at BSU we do not experience the common problems that other campuses face. Over the past few days I've heard delegates give examples such as poor relations with administrations, departments, and surrounding communities, tension between organizations, hazing, and apathy. I feel so grateful to have an amazing community at BSU. One where we are supported and respected by our university president, fire and police departments, staff professionals. I am appreciative, more than I can express, that we have a Greek community that respects each other and enjoys spending time with each other; it truly is an asset that makes us stronger. I am thankful that we have chapters that have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to hazing and that we have members that respect one another. Most of all I am thankful that we have such passionate members in BSU Greek life. This weekend so many people I met said they had to really push people to want to attend NGLA or that this wasn't their first time attending the annual conference. As jealous as I was that I knew this would be my only time at NGLA, I reminded myself that I should be thankful that I was given this opportunity, and thankful that we have so many passionate leaders that make getting a spot at this conference competitive. I am also thankful that there are new delegates each year so that we have fresh faces to lead our community.
I highly recommend every member of our community applies to attend NGLA because it was an amazing experience filled with learning, networking, bonding, and fun. I will always appreciate this opportunity I've been given and would not replace it for anything.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
A memory to last a lifetime
On the final day as we leave Connecticut and head back to Massachusetts it was a reflection period for sure of information to take in that will be of great value for myself and the rest of the Bridgewater State Greek Community. Each of the speakers I had for the conference were truly inspiring.
I would like to Thank IFC and Panhel for giving me the opportunity to attend this amazing conference, and meet other brothers of Phi Kappa Theta around the Northeast.
When there is something you are afraid of you must pursue that fear, because it truly is what you need to accomplish in life. Your dreams are never to big to handle. You only need 30 seconds of courage to make a decision to face your fear and follow through.
Here are 10 more things that I took away from this trip in which I won't disregard in my lifetime
1) You can never be perfect but you can strive to be perfect.
2) Everywhere you go regardless, every group you are a part of you will see people engaged at different levels.
3) Easier to be popular, but truthfully harder to be a genuine individual.
4) Take a path in which your heart wants or you will never be happy.
5) What is it that you chase in life?
6) Love yourself. You are a gift nothing would be the same if you didn't exist.
7) Each one of us has the power to change someones life around us for the better.
8) Focus on the good, be positive, get a core group you can build it with and let that spread as well to improve morale in your community.
9) Creativity is about choosing curiosity over fear, over and over again.
10) Be Humble/Be Empowering/Be Relational/Be optimistic with everyone around you.
These are my main points and overall I have a lot more information but this is something I wanted to leave on my blog as a reminder for everyone to remember.
I will never forget the experience I had on this conference. My leadership skills, personal values, and passion have been strongly reinforced from having the opportunity to be here.
If you're reading this I would like you to think of these questions, but for now here are my responses
What do you chase in your life? I chase the ultimate dream of one day reaching a wide audience of individuals through music and changing lives one after the next.
Who do you have in your life that makes you a better individual and pushes you to your fullest potential?
Conor L McDonough
I would like to Thank IFC and Panhel for giving me the opportunity to attend this amazing conference, and meet other brothers of Phi Kappa Theta around the Northeast.
When there is something you are afraid of you must pursue that fear, because it truly is what you need to accomplish in life. Your dreams are never to big to handle. You only need 30 seconds of courage to make a decision to face your fear and follow through.
Here are 10 more things that I took away from this trip in which I won't disregard in my lifetime
1) You can never be perfect but you can strive to be perfect.
2) Everywhere you go regardless, every group you are a part of you will see people engaged at different levels.
3) Easier to be popular, but truthfully harder to be a genuine individual.
4) Take a path in which your heart wants or you will never be happy.
5) What is it that you chase in life?
6) Love yourself. You are a gift nothing would be the same if you didn't exist.
7) Each one of us has the power to change someones life around us for the better.
8) Focus on the good, be positive, get a core group you can build it with and let that spread as well to improve morale in your community.
9) Creativity is about choosing curiosity over fear, over and over again.
10) Be Humble/Be Empowering/Be Relational/Be optimistic with everyone around you.
These are my main points and overall I have a lot more information but this is something I wanted to leave on my blog as a reminder for everyone to remember.
I will never forget the experience I had on this conference. My leadership skills, personal values, and passion have been strongly reinforced from having the opportunity to be here.
If you're reading this I would like you to think of these questions, but for now here are my responses
What do you chase in your life? I chase the ultimate dream of one day reaching a wide audience of individuals through music and changing lives one after the next.
Who do you have in your life that makes you a better individual and pushes you to your fullest potential?
Conor L McDonough
The finale of "The Seminars"
On February 25th 2017 we embarked on the last day of seminars. The keynote speaker this morning was Jeremy Poincenot and he was diagnosed with LHON which is a genetic disease in which you lose central vision. It is incurable. The way this man looked at life entirely regardless of his problems was incredible and eye opening.
His presentation was titled "When Fraternity Really Matters"
He explained how his fraternity brothers helped him and his family from time to time and still as of today. He asked us to think of the following three things for our lives
1) Each one of us has the power to change someone's life
2) Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle
3) focus on the good
Following these three different perspectives will go a long way throughout each day.
My 1st seminar for the day was called "Tradition-Smhadition: Why the world needs creative leaders" ~ Jinahie
This session was a very realistic perspective on leaders in our community and fraternity/sorority life.
She explained there is the traditional leader who goes by delegation and consistent order, and doesn't allow ideas to be fully thought and considered
Then there is the creative leader who allows everyone to be heard and able to have a chance at their idea becoming a reality. This leader is a very positive optimistic one.
Traditional leaders tend to kill creativity and that is a huge problem, creativity is the ability to have different perspectives.
Traditional leadership has it that I am the leader and I have all the ideas, and I will delegate everything and you will go make my vision happen.
Creative leaders also do not gain followers but they instead create more leaders because they are empowering other people to step up by having their ideas heard.
The 2nd seminar was titled "Roberts Rules Presentation and how to make it more effective in the chapter"
Essentially I am already familiar with Roberts rules as my chapter is also. There was some interesting questions from the room though on how to answer and or handle certain situations and I was able to respond thoroughly for that individual with the question.
I learned some new things, but most of it I had known already. The presenter was very good though on the other hand.
My 3rd seminar was titled "Be an action her: The 4 traits of High Impact Leaders"
Justin Jones was probably one of the most enthusiastic presenters at the entire conference. He knew how to connect with the audience between being serious and a comedian. His presentation was very solid and impactful overall. I thoroughly enjoyed his interaction with the crowd and he has bars for dayssssss.
He presented the audience with the 4 traits and analyzed each critically.
The 4th seminar was titled "All Leadership Is Social"
This one was rather interesting and not exactly what I was expecting to get out of it. Essentially it was like tips to get people to open up to you which is great so you can connect with the individual.
The discussion was entirely based a phrase known as Social Excellence
MB Also got the Phillipi Award at the banquet later that night. It goes without saying her hard work is always being recognized.
His presentation was titled "When Fraternity Really Matters"
He explained how his fraternity brothers helped him and his family from time to time and still as of today. He asked us to think of the following three things for our lives
1) Each one of us has the power to change someone's life
2) Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle
3) focus on the good
Following these three different perspectives will go a long way throughout each day.
My 1st seminar for the day was called "Tradition-Smhadition: Why the world needs creative leaders" ~ Jinahie
This session was a very realistic perspective on leaders in our community and fraternity/sorority life.
She explained there is the traditional leader who goes by delegation and consistent order, and doesn't allow ideas to be fully thought and considered
Then there is the creative leader who allows everyone to be heard and able to have a chance at their idea becoming a reality. This leader is a very positive optimistic one.
Traditional leaders tend to kill creativity and that is a huge problem, creativity is the ability to have different perspectives.
Traditional leadership has it that I am the leader and I have all the ideas, and I will delegate everything and you will go make my vision happen.
Creative leaders also do not gain followers but they instead create more leaders because they are empowering other people to step up by having their ideas heard.
The 2nd seminar was titled "Roberts Rules Presentation and how to make it more effective in the chapter"
Essentially I am already familiar with Roberts rules as my chapter is also. There was some interesting questions from the room though on how to answer and or handle certain situations and I was able to respond thoroughly for that individual with the question.
I learned some new things, but most of it I had known already. The presenter was very good though on the other hand.
My 3rd seminar was titled "Be an action her: The 4 traits of High Impact Leaders"
Justin Jones was probably one of the most enthusiastic presenters at the entire conference. He knew how to connect with the audience between being serious and a comedian. His presentation was very solid and impactful overall. I thoroughly enjoyed his interaction with the crowd and he has bars for dayssssss.
He presented the audience with the 4 traits and analyzed each critically.
The 4th seminar was titled "All Leadership Is Social"
This one was rather interesting and not exactly what I was expecting to get out of it. Essentially it was like tips to get people to open up to you which is great so you can connect with the individual.
The discussion was entirely based a phrase known as Social Excellence
MB Also got the Phillipi Award at the banquet later that night. It goes without saying her hard work is always being recognized.
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