Monthly Archives: October 2014

Journal 2: What does it mean to serve your community?

FRO

 

Well, obviously, first and foremost I am a student at Baruch. My primary responsibility is to learn here. Some of that blends into being a Baruch Scholar: my tuition is covered as long as I am good at learning. But what I’ve observed is that being a student is also a compilation of many, many efforts involving self-discovery.

The essence if being a student has evolved tremendously. Before, it used to be someone who went to school and took tests. Now, I‘ve noticed, school involves participating within the community and outside of it as well. In the past week I’ve heard the words club, workshop, participate at least 20 times. The idea of becoming this type of student hit me way before high school, which is why it is so astounding. Many people I’ve spoken to started volunteering towards the end of high school to get scholarships. So I think it’s more than that for me. I’ve been volunteering since seventh grade.

This is very directly related to the Honors Program. The culture of service here basically enhances something I’ve been doing for some time now. I find it extremely motivating, personally. I know that I would not, at this point in my life, take on a volunteer project if I was not asked or required to do so. I know from past experiences that community service is important and rewarding, but it is no longer something I actively pursue because let’s face it – I have no time. So being in this program is actually beneficial on both sides.

Journal 2: What does it mean to serve your community?

FRO

 

Well, obviously, first and foremost I am a student at Baruch. My primary responsibility is to learn here. Some of that blends into being a Baruch Scholar: my tuition is covered as long as I am good at learning. But what I’ve observed is that being a student is also a compilation of many, many efforts involving self-discovery.

The essence if being a student has evolved tremendously. Before, it used to be someone who went to school and took tests. Now, I‘ve noticed, school involves participating within the community and outside of it as well. In the past week I’ve heard the words club, workshop, participate at least 20 times. The idea of becoming this type of student hit me way before high school, which is why it is so astounding. Many people I’ve spoken to started volunteering towards the end of high school to get scholarships. So I think it’s more than that for me. I’ve been volunteering since seventh grade.

This is very directly related to the Honors Program. The culture of service here basically enhances something I’ve been doing for some time now. I find it extremely motivating, personally. I know that I would not, at this point in my life, take on a volunteer project if I was not asked or required to do so. I know from past experiences that community service is important and rewarding, but it is no longer something I actively pursue because let’s face it – I have no time. So being in this program is actually beneficial on both sides.

Journal #2

Uncategorized

When I think of the word scholar, I usually associate the term with someone intellectual and knowledgeable about the modern world. Because a scholar is given greater opportunities in education, I suppose they have a… obligation to the rest of society to serve back to the community. Especially as Baruch is a CUNY and Scholars receive a substantial amount of financial support from Baruch, there seems to be a greater necessity for us to “pay-it-forward” even if it is just with our time: volunteering. As members of the Honors Program where we receive innumerable benefits, it only seems fitting for us to return the favor to the very community who does favors for us. As the schools choose their scholars, there is also a sense of representation that every scholar provides which does not per se distinguish them above their peers but does hold them to a higher standard that requires a greater degree of self-awareness and conduct. By having the culture of service to the community, scholars will be able to give as they receive and show an example to others who also have the ability to offer their time and efforts to others. As representatives of the school, by following good conduct, such as community service, people will be able to see the values of Baruch. I guess this is what Baruch wants to accomplish. Although it has a touch of idealism, it would really, truly be nice if people could serve their community when they can.

Although not a very credible source all the time, I think the idea behind this makes sense and summarizes our responsibilities.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/nathanwpyle/this-teacher-taught-his-class-a-powerful-lesson-about-privil

Journal #2

Uncategorized

When I think of the word scholar, I usually associate the term with intellectual and knowledgeable about the modern world. Because a scholar is given greater opportunities in education, I suppose they have a… obligation to the rest of society to serve back to the community. Especially as Baruch is a CUNY and Scholars receive a substantial amount of financial support from Baruch, there seems to be a greater necessity for us to “pay-it-forward” even if it is just with our time: volunteering. As members of the Honors Program where we receive innumerable benefits, it only seems fitting for us to return the favor to the very community who does favors for us. As the schools choose their scholars, there is also a sense of representation that every scholar provides which does not per se distinguish them above their peers but does hold them to a higher standard and require a greater degree of self-awareness and conduct. By having the culture of service to the community, scholars will be able to give as they receive and show an example to others who also have the ability to offer their time and efforts to others. As representatives of the school, by following good conduct, such as community service, people will be able to see the values of Baruch. I guess this is what Baruch wants to accomplish. Although it has a touch of idealism, it would really, truly be nice if people could serve their community when they can.

What does it mean to serve your community?

Uncategorized

During one of my last business lectures, my Business professor spoke about the different kinds of economies. Since our’s is a capitalist economy, there exists more inequality than in other economies; since there is more inequality, there exists more people that might need a helping hand. And that’s where our role as Baruch Scholars comes in to play. We have been shown good fortune in receiving our scholarships and other benefits associated with the Baruch Honors College, but the lives of other people may have been deprived of such luck. Some may have lost their homes, their jobs, or their families. While we can’t help these people get these things back, we can help them in other ways, like volunteering at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or even a simple park clean up can go a long way and signify that there are kids out there who care about their place, and everyone’s place in society.

As to the culture of service that the Honors Program promotes: some might only do the 8 hours and then call it quits. As for myself, when I reach the 8 hour threshold, I will not stop service. That’s not what it means to service one’s community. People live in community’s for extended amounts of time, and for this reason, I feel that it is necessary to serve community’s for extended amounts of time.

What does it mean to serve your community?

Uncategorized

During one of my last business lectures, my Business professor spoke about the different kinds of economies. Since our’s is a capitalist economy, there exists more inequality than in other economies; since there is more inequality, there exists more people that might need a helping hand. And that’s where our role as Baruch Scholars comes in to play. We have been shown good fortune in receiving our scholarships and other benefits associated with the Baruch Honors College, but the lives of other people may have been deprived of such luck. Some may have lost their homes, their jobs, or their families. While we can’t help these people get these things back, we can help them in other ways, like volunteering at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or even a simple park clean up can go a long way and signify that there are kids out there who care about their place, and everyone’s place in society.

As to the culture of service that the Honors Program promotes: some might only do the 8 hours and then call it quits. As for myself, when I reach the 8 hour threshold, I will not stop service. That’s not what it means to service one’s community. People live in community’s for extended amounts of time, and for this reason, I feel that it is necessary to serve community’s for extended amounts of time.

What does it mean to serve your community?

Uncategorized

During one of my last business lectures, my Business professor spoke about the different kinds of economies. Since our’s is a capitalist economy, there exists more inequality than in other economies; since there is more inequality, there exists more people that might need a helping hand. And that’s where our role as Baruch Scholars comes in to play. We have been shown good fortune in receiving our scholarships and other benefits associated with the Baruch Honors College, but the lives of other people may have been deprived of such luck. Some may have lost their homes, their jobs, or their families. While we can’t help these people get these things back, we can help them in other ways, like volunteering at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or even a simple park clean up can go a long way and signify that there are kids out there who care about their place, and everyone’s place in society.

As to the culture of service that the Honors Program promotes: some might only do the 8 hours and then call it quits. As for myself, when I reach the 8 hour threshold, I will not stop service. That’s not what it means to service one’s community. People live in community’s for extended amounts of time, and for this reason, I feel that it is necessary to serve community’s for extended amounts of time.

Journal 2: What Does It Mean to Serve Your Community?

Journal

Community service is a task at the heart of citizenship. As citizens, we have an obligation to contribute in some way to benefitting the society. However, some of us do it in drastically different ways. When you think about it, the possibilities of serving the community seem endless. The only dictation being your day job and how much time goes into that, but in reality that day job may fulfill community service. City employees: parks, police, fire department, sanitation, other city agencies; Doctors, lawyers, even just attending a community board meeting is serving the community.

As a student, time is limited and the vast majority of time is, rightfully so, towards educating oneself and maybe more importantly attaining and maintaining the grades so that one can get accepting into the graduate school or profession/career of his or her choice. However, is this as selfish as it may sound? Especially since many of these careers may benefit the community. So in reality by studying to become doctors, lawyers, or even accountants and business majors, we are gaining the skills needed to serve the community. We are even serving every day by making ourselves into the best we possibly can be so we can do these jobs at the maximum efficiency and to the maximum benefit to not only ourselves (direct impact), but the entire community (possibly direct and indirect).

Some of us though have extra time, or want to contribute in ways other than our day job. Here is where the opportunity to volunteer time or even start an organization arises. Baruch wants us to learn about and be able to share this experience. Although the former paragraphs of my post may lead one to believe this possibly may be a waste. In reality it is not. You have to start somewhere and if you never get involved , you won’t get involved. Simply put, if you start early you might like it and want to continue contributing in this way even when you are not forced to do so. On top of that, the experience is generally priceless. You never know what you may run into and what revelations these experiences may bring. Some places you go, you may feel that you stepped into a different world. “People don’t live like this in America.” Well guess what? They do. To save everyone from one of my (very long) political rants on poverty in America, I’ll just say this. Despite what the official census report tells you, at least 30% of Americans are in “poverty” (US Census has a pretty misleading definition of it) and at least 60% severely struggle day to day. Not even mentioning the unemployment rate that has been “shrinking.” A.K.A people stopped looking for jobs. So there are a lot of opportunities to help these people and seeing this side of society that many of us have trouble fully wrapping our minds around that people actually live like this in America, can have a drastic impact on an individual.

The honors program wants you to have such experiences. We will all go out with the skills needed to contribute to society during our day job, experiences from other service, and possibly the will (if time permits) to continue volunteering spare time in such ways. Having been heavily involved in campus ministry throughout my four years in high school, I can definitely vouch for the Honors Program’s culture of service as a truly proper policy that should be in place. Volunteering can be a blessing or a curse. Don’t do the obvious. Help someone who really needs the help, somewhere where you skills can be put to effective use. Not the easiest place, but the best place to be. Don’t do it just to do it, do it with a purpose. This all starts in your choice of an organization/cause. If you just pick something at random or out of convenience you honestly might hate it and it will turn into a chore. Take this seriously. You never know, it just might change your life.

Journal 2: What Does It Mean to Serve Your Community?

Journal

Community service is a task at the heart of citizenship. As citizens, we have an obligation to contribute in some way to benefitting the society. However, some of us do it in drastically different ways. When you think about it, the possibilities of serving the community seem endless. The only dictation being your day job and how much time goes into that, but in reality that day job may fulfill community service. City employees: parks, police, fire department, sanitation, other city agencies; Doctors, lawyers, even just attending a community board meeting is serving the community.

As a student, time is limited and the vast majority of time is, rightfully so, towards educating oneself and maybe more importantly attaining and maintaining the grades so that one can get accepting into the graduate school or profession/career of his or her choice. However, is this as selfish as it may sound? Especially since many of these careers may benefit the community. So in reality by studying to become doctors, lawyers, or even accountants and business majors, we are gaining the skills needed to serve the community. We are even serving every day by making ourselves into the best we possibly can be so we can do these jobs at the maximum efficiency and to the maximum benefit to not only ourselves (direct impact), but the entire community (possibly direct and indirect).

Some of us though have extra time, or want to contribute in ways other than our day job. Here is where the opportunity to volunteer time or even start an organization arises. Baruch wants us to learn about and be able to share this experience. Although the former paragraphs of my post may lead one to believe this possibly may be a waste. In reality it is not. You have to start somewhere and if you never get involved , you won’t get involved. Simply put, if you start early you might like it and want to continue contributing in this way even when you are not forced to do so. On top of that, the experience is generally priceless. You never know what you may run into and what revelations these experiences may bring. Some places you go, you may feel that you stepped into a different world. “People don’t live like this in America.” Well guess what? They do. To save everyone from one of my (very long) political rants on poverty in America, I’ll just say this. Despite what the official census report tells you, at least 30% of Americans are in “poverty” (US Census has a pretty misleading definition of it) and at least 60% severely struggle day to day. Not even mentioning the unemployment rate that has been “shrinking.” A.K.A people stopped looking for jobs. So there are a lot of opportunities to help these people and seeing this side of society that many of us have trouble fully wrapping our minds around that people actually live like this in America, can have a drastic impact on an individual.

The honors program wants you to have such experiences. We will all go out with the skills needed to contribute to society during our day job, experiences from other service, and possibly the will (if time permits) to continue volunteering spare time in such ways. Having been heavily involved in campus ministry throughout my four years in high school, I can definitely vouch for the Honors Program’s culture of service as a truly proper policy that should be in place. Volunteering can be a blessing or a curse. Don’t do the obvious. Help someone who really needs the help, somewhere where you skills can be put to effective use. Not the easiest place, but the best place to be. Don’t do it just to do it, do it with a purpose. This all starts in your choice of an organization/cause. If you just pick something at random or out of convenience you honestly might hate it and it will turn into a chore. Take this seriously. You never know, it just might change your life.

Journal 2: What Does It Mean to Serve Your Community?

Journal

Community service is a task at the heart of citizenship. As citizens, we have an obligation to contribute in some way to benefitting the society. However, some of us do it in drastically different ways. When you think about it, the possibilities of serving the community seem endless. The only dictation being your day job and how much time goes into that, but in reality that day job may fulfill community service. City employees: parks, police, fire department, sanitation, other city agencies; Doctors, lawyers, even just attending a community board meeting is serving the community.

As a student, time is limited and the vast majority of time is, rightfully so, towards educating oneself and maybe more importantly attaining and maintaining the grades so that one can get accepting into the graduate school or profession/career of his or her choice. However, is this as selfish as it may sound? Especially since many of these careers may benefit the community. So in reality by studying to become doctors, lawyers, or even accountants and business majors, we are gaining the skills needed to serve the community. We are even serving every day by making ourselves into the best we possibly can be so we can do these jobs at the maximum efficiency and to the maximum benefit to not only ourselves (direct impact), but the entire community (possibly direct and indirect).

Some of us though have extra time, or want to contribute in ways other than our day job. Here is where the opportunity to volunteer time or even start an organization arises. Baruch wants us to learn about and be able to share this experience. Although the former paragraphs of my post may lead one to believe this possibly may be a waste. In reality it is not. You have to start somewhere and if you never get involved , you won’t get involved. Simply put, if you start early you might like it and want to continue contributing in this way even when you are not forced to do so. On top of that, the experience is generally priceless. You never know what you may run into and what revelations these experiences may bring. Some places you go, you may feel that you stepped into a different world. “People don’t live like this in America.” Well guess what? They do. To save everyone from one of my (very long) political rants on poverty in America, I’ll just say this. Despite what the official census report tells you, at least 30% of Americans are in “poverty” (US Census has a pretty misleading definition of it) and at least 60% severely struggle day to day. Not even mentioning the unemployment rate that has been “shrinking.” A.K.A people stopped looking for jobs. So there are a lot of opportunities to help these people and seeing this side of society that many of us have trouble fully wrapping our minds around that people actually live like this in America, can have a drastic impact on an individual.

The honors program wants you to have such experiences. We will all go out with the skills needed to contribute to society during our day job, experiences from other service, and possibly the will (if time permits) to continue volunteering spare time in such ways. Having been heavily involved in campus ministry throughout my four years in high school, I can definitely vouch for the Honors Program’s culture of service as a truly proper policy that should be in place. Volunteering can be a blessing or a curse. Don’t do the obvious. Help someone who really needs the help, somewhere where you skills can be put to effective use. Not the easiest place, but the best place to be. Don’t do it just to do it, do it with a purpose. This all starts in your choice of an organization/cause. If you just pick something at random or out of convenience you honestly might hate it and it will turn into a chore. Take this seriously. You never know, it just might change your life.