Send Silence Packing

While walking to lunch today, I was met with 1100 backpacks laid out across the green as part of the Send Silence Packing initiative. This display travels to campuses all over the country and lays out backpacks and bags that have biographies and letters attached to them that represent the estimated number of college students who take their lives each year.

It was chilling to see such a tangible display of suicide, and reading the bios was very touching. I've known many people who self harm and a few who have turned to suicide, so it was touching to see that this whole project has been created to raise awareness and to make it a less taboo topic for those who need help. As one of the signs posted said, "Seeking Help Shows Strength." If that message reached at least one person who was hurting today, then I think it was successful. 

Alabama Leadership Academy

This weekend, I was blessed to get to spend almost 48 hours with some of the greatest people that I know at YMCA Camp Cosby. The annual Alabama Leadership Academy trip is something that our Circle K International organization looks forward to every year, and it's always amazing.

Everyone crammed into the bonfire meeting area - S'mores were delicious!

CKI Clubs from all over the state of Alabama, including Troy, UNA, UA, and others, get together for a weekend of awesome bonding, cheesy skill building activitites, and bonfires (with s'mores, of course). The atmosphere was carefree, the people I met were all wonderful, and it was truly an awesome bonding experience.

Just look at how crazy our leadership building strategy games got:

Crossing a lava pit that looks a lot like normal grass

Making it across the triangle with your partner

Untangling a human knot

Throughout the whole weekend, we were reflecting on the qualities of a leader that we appreciated in others and in ourselves. My small group kept coming back to the theme of "silent leaders": those who allow others to speak and contribute creatively even while they're in charge. As we were discussing things, it seemed novel that someone would give up their own voice to let others have their input, especially since we think of powerful leaders as those who are commanding and delegating. However, the more you think about it, the "silent leaders" are the ones who are able to motivate others to step into leadership and inspire others to take on responsibility. The machine works better when everyone is contributing and cooperating creatively. Sure, there's a place and time for the militant dictator to take charge and dish out orders, but many times a project would be much smoother if the leader looks for ways to promote others. 

I likened it to teaching. (of course, being an education major... this happens a lot). A teacher is one who has full authority over the classroom, but giving students the creative license to contribute, discuss and cooperate during the lesson brings depth to what the student learns. They're being given responsibility. It's not a militant anarchy where the teacher lectures and threatens and delegates, but instead it's a collaboration where learning happens spontaneously. Leadership is key, but there are so many styles and approaches and ideas for what a "leader" truly is. 

After this weekend, I think a lot of us were inspired to be more cooperative leaders. It was an eye opening learning experience. 

Circle K International at UAB!

Photos Courtesy Kris Metcalfe