A640.9.2.RB - Final Project Reflection

This the final reflection blog for me before I take the Capstone for this program. In this blog, I am asked to give my thoughts on the service learning project and how it related to the course material. The purpose of my service learning project was to find an organization I could identify with, observe its leadership and the leadership effect within the organization, and relate it to the theories we explored through our text. I was required to volunteer at least 8 hours of my time. I chose to volunteer my time and observe The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club (DGC). The leaders of this group are true servant leaders, this is a completed non-profit and self-contained organization. The mission of The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club (DGC) is to guide young men in grades 3-12 through the transitions of manhood through intentional mentoring. Its aim is to raise servant leaders in the community by promoting positive relationships, building character, and establishing effective goal setting practices. The volunteers mentor boys (Distinguished Gentlemen) of all walks of life, no matter the economically, social, or racial background.

The project also give me a chance to share some of my life experiences and to help give the young Gentlemen an outlet to talk. The DGC mentors have a unique opportunity to teach youth valuable life skills while using etiquette as a platform. The DGC teach our mentors to help participants apply the skills they learn the one on one sessions to life.

The project help me understand leaders must understand that our own culture and life experiences shape the way we perceive people and other cultures. Perceptions are the basis for understanding a culture’s location, extent, characteristics, and significance. Throughout our lives, culture and experience shape our views each other, which in turn influence our perceptions of places and regions. Children growing up in the New Orleans, for example, have a much different understanding of the Cajun heritage then the kids of South Carolina and their Gulla heritage. The difference between the two is really only the regions and the way they are preserved. This was away for me to learn about the importance of understanding cultural differences, not just in business but in the communities, we serve.