We had an incredible meeting today! We had a guest speaker that came in to talk about her trip to South Africa. She visited Johannesburg and Cape Town. She explained how eye opening her experience there was. She brought so many pictures to give us a feel for what we are going to see when we travel to Cape Town, South Africa. We saw pictures of Betty's Bay, Harmanus, Table Mountain, and Robben Island. Betty's Island and Harmanus are where you can go to get a majestic view of South Africa. You can stand on rocks very close to the ocean and can see penguins and whales! Robben Island is the place where the Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. The cool thing about this tourist site is that all of the tour guides are former prisoners from Robben Island. Robben Island was a prison where only political prisoners were held. Most of the prisoners were Black, Indian or Colored. But, there was one white prisoner. He was kept in a cell all by himself.
After the guest speaker we had our committee reports. Exciting new fundraisers are all coming together nicely.
After this meeting, I am SOO excited to go to South Africa. I knew that I was excited, but after hearing her incredible story I know that we will have a life-changing experience. :) :)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tarp activity - October 17, 2008
This week in an effort to re-energize the group we began our meeting with the long forgotten ritual of an icebreaker. We began by taking strips of masking tape and writing down our concerns. We were then asked by Brian to place the strips of tape on a folded part of a tarp, and then take a minute to read everyone's concerns. Aside from zombie attacks, real concerns were along the lines of funding, group unity, participation and packing.
Our next task was to take a piece of tape and write down things that made us excited about our South Africa trip. Our causes of excitement were along the lines of: A zombie defense system, birthdays, getting to help people in South Africa,and the fact we already have plane tickets reserved. We placed them on the opposite side of the tarp and reflected on them.
Brian asked us to all stand on the side of the tarp with the negative pieces of tape on them and work as a group to turn over the negative side to the positive side. As a rule we couldn't step off the tarp, however, nothing was said about using chairs as support. . . . Our group pulled ourselves into the mosh pit of the tarp. Clashing our elbows and with little room to breathe, our group did not fare well. Without organization we completely failed to achieve anything except become closer as a group - physically. We tried turning the tarp and quickly ran out of space as people did not know where to stand or what to do when they were in the right spot. Our ideas were mixed and our attempts uncoordinated. We failed as a group to communicate and listen to each other.
Brian stopped us after about 10 minutes and gave us a little more space on the tarp so we could have a second go at it. We welcomed the breathing room and the extra space. This time around we managed to actually listen to one another and work together to convert the tarp from one side to the other. We used a strategy that involved gradually flipping over the tarp and having the people step on the folded over half. After a little effort we managed to get it to work.
(Us standing on the tarp, listening to ideas)
Afterward we reflected on what made the exercise work. We listened, and at some point everyone had to participate and step up. We were able to metaphorically turn our concerns into excitement. Brian ended by giving us a reminder that we have pulled in more money than all of the previous groups combined and we have a lot of strength within the group.
- Andrew
Our next task was to take a piece of tape and write down things that made us excited about our South Africa trip. Our causes of excitement were along the lines of: A zombie defense system, birthdays, getting to help people in South Africa,and the fact we already have plane tickets reserved. We placed them on the opposite side of the tarp and reflected on them.
Brian asked us to all stand on the side of the tarp with the negative pieces of tape on them and work as a group to turn over the negative side to the positive side. As a rule we couldn't step off the tarp, however, nothing was said about using chairs as support. . . . Our group pulled ourselves into the mosh pit of the tarp. Clashing our elbows and with little room to breathe, our group did not fare well. Without organization we completely failed to achieve anything except become closer as a group - physically. We tried turning the tarp and quickly ran out of space as people did not know where to stand or what to do when they were in the right spot. Our ideas were mixed and our attempts uncoordinated. We failed as a group to communicate and listen to each other.
Brian stopped us after about 10 minutes and gave us a little more space on the tarp so we could have a second go at it. We welcomed the breathing room and the extra space. This time around we managed to actually listen to one another and work together to convert the tarp from one side to the other. We used a strategy that involved gradually flipping over the tarp and having the people step on the folded over half. After a little effort we managed to get it to work.
(Us standing on the tarp, listening to ideas)
Afterward we reflected on what made the exercise work. We listened, and at some point everyone had to participate and step up. We were able to metaphorically turn our concerns into excitement. Brian ended by giving us a reminder that we have pulled in more money than all of the previous groups combined and we have a lot of strength within the group.
- Andrew
South Africa Panel - October 10, 2008
Today we were suppose to have a panel of citizens from South Africa, but many were not able to make it. One representative, Ms. Carolyn Ward, was able to attend and she gave some insightful information about her beloved country South Africa. Carolyn told of her childhood experiences growing up in South Africa during apartheid. Since apartheid the country still faces issues regarding race, but Carolyn says it is all about how your family raised you. In her case, her family raised her to regard all people as equal, but there are still some South Africans that believe blacks and coloureds( mixed white and black) are beneath them. She also talked about the issues that are going on right now with the South African president resigning. She says that she is not worried and feels that everything will work itself out. She also mentioned that South Africans are more welcoming than Americans. Which I can believe.
Now to the fun stuff! After Brian left, the discussion wasn't as serious anymore. Lol! We asked Carolyn things about South African fashion, which resembles European dress. Interesting! We talked about the food. She says that South Africans are not big on going out to eat at fast food restaurants. They tend to stay at home and eat with the family. South Africans eat the same foods that Americans eat, but they eat also some things that we don't eat, like ostrich. Yeah! I said it ostrich. She also talked about the Alfred & Victoria Waterfront which resembles a harbour. It is the perfect destination for food and shopping in South Africa. Corey, his crazy self, asked about women and relationships. Yes people, he took it there. Carolyn says that South Africans do not participate that much in PDA.
Overall the discussion was exciting and very informative. Now I know a little bit more about South Africa than I knew before. I'm so excited to go and I can't wait til May. Signing off!
Jamilah Hankins
Link Leads 2008-2009
Now to the fun stuff! After Brian left, the discussion wasn't as serious anymore. Lol! We asked Carolyn things about South African fashion, which resembles European dress. Interesting! We talked about the food. She says that South Africans are not big on going out to eat at fast food restaurants. They tend to stay at home and eat with the family. South Africans eat the same foods that Americans eat, but they eat also some things that we don't eat, like ostrich. Yeah! I said it ostrich. She also talked about the Alfred & Victoria Waterfront which resembles a harbour. It is the perfect destination for food and shopping in South Africa. Corey, his crazy self, asked about women and relationships. Yes people, he took it there. Carolyn says that South Africans do not participate that much in PDA.
Overall the discussion was exciting and very informative. Now I know a little bit more about South Africa than I knew before. I'm so excited to go and I can't wait til May. Signing off!
Jamilah Hankins
Link Leads 2008-2009
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