Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous.  

– Confucius (Reflections)

One of the greatest gifts that we have been given is the power of reflection. There’s nothing quite like the opportunity to consider what you’ve learned, witnessed, and experienced and peel back the layers of what that experience means to you, how it’s impacted you, and what you are going to do with that newfound knowledge. It’s often surprising to realize just how much you have grown and changed as a result!

As I reflect back on my semester in KNR 171, Recreation Leadership, I realize I am not the same person I was when I started this class. Through our coursework, discussions, and activities, I’ve learned what it means to be a leader, to collaborate with others as part of a team, and to be an effective and memorable facilitator. 

One of the most impactful activities for me was a class exercise where we identified our style as a director, socializer, relater, or thinker, and then broke into four-person groups made up of someone of each style, where we were tasked with completing a puzzle activity. It was an eye-opening experience that really demonstrated for me how different each of our leadership styles are, but also how important the unique strengths of each style are to effectively collaborating as a team. I’m a socializer, which means I’m fast-paced and people-oriented. I’m good at reading people and suggesting different ways for the team to work or think together to keep us moving forward. That’s a unique strength that I brought to the group. However, I’m not as good at the overall planning and organizing, carefully considering an approach to make sure it’s feasible and meets our needs, or making sure we stay on task and complete required activities on time. The directors and thinkers, for example, were much better at those activities than I was, and their involvement was critical to making sure our team functioned well. Every team member had a different role, and no single role was more important than another. Rather, all were essential to collaboratively achieving our team’s success. We didn’t always agree on the best course of action, but by respectfully talking through our different ideas and perspectives as a united group, we were able to achieve a better result than any one of us could have achieved on our own. Through this activity, I learned the importance of, as an effective leader, understanding and recognizing each team member’s styles, and the unique strengths and weaknesses  of each style. With that knowledge, I can build a diverse, well-rounded team whose styles complement each other and who have the skills and perspective to successfully and effectively collaborate.  

Another class activity that really helped me “connect the dots” about what we learned during this semester was our individual one-hour facilitation plan. This was a great exercise. It was very easy for me to think of a theme, an audience, and activities, but I’m not a detail-person, so the methodical formatting required of the facilitation plan was a good process that forced me to slow down and really think about the details of what needed to happen. It seems strange at first to script out, for example, the need to ask if people have questions and then pause to give them time to respond or to demonstrate and/or explain in specific detail what a participant is expected to do. It seems so obvious to do that, but it’s because it’s so obvious that it often gets overlooked. That’s why it’s important to think through and list out those little details because it’s those very details that make the difference between a memorable and effective facilitation and one that’s lackluster and unimpressive. 

One example of this in action was the videos that our professor, Tracy, prepared for us once COVID-19 forced us to move online. Although not a standard facilitation, I see correlations between the planning that went into the video demonstrations/discussions that Tracy provided for our classes and what is needed for a successful facilitation. Many professors moved to online by providing nothing more than a series of PowerPoint slides or other handouts for students to read, with no corresponding demonstration or discussion. Tracy took a different approach and clearly spent time carefully planning what she was going to share with us and the best methods for doing so. I appreciated the thoughtfulness of those details, such as the visual picture of the big pile of dirt and its relationship to risk management that her words painted in my mind. That mental picture and the details she shared made that lesson an effective and memorable experience for me, one that I will use in the future as a template for what I want my own facilitations to accomplish.

In our first blog post for this class, we wrote about what we thought leadership was and who we were as a leader. At the time, I viewed an effective leader as one who knows his own strengths, as well as those of the members of his group, and uses them to the best advantage. By doing so, he helps each team member learn and grow into the best versions of themselves as successful and integral team members. As I reflect back on those answers, given what I’ve learned over the semester, I stand by them. In fact, what I’ve learned through our class exercises about leadership and learning styles really solidified those answers for me and the importance of understanding yourself and your team. 

As I look toward the future, I am excited about my upcoming opportunities to apply the leadership lessons I’ve learned this semester. Next year, I will be serving as the president for our club hockey team. Although I’ve been an informal leader on many teams and groups in the past, this will be my first formal leadership opportunity to test my skills and apply what I’ve learned. I’m already starting to think through and plan how I want to approach my new team, what things I will do to learn about their styles, and how best to help my team capitalize on our strengths so that we can effectively and successfully work together. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, but I’m a little nervous too because I realize I didn’t take full advantage of my classroom experience to engage and practice as much as I could and should have. If I had the chance for a do-over, like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, I would definitely engage in class more to make the most of the experience and better prepare me for the leadership opportunities in my future. Everything is a learning opportunity, and the fact that I didn’t make the most of the one available to me is a good lesson for me about what I won’t let happen again. 

The knowledge and skills I’ve learned this semester will last with me long after my college days are over. Through our classroom activities, I’ve become even more convinced that Recreation Management is the right field for me. I’m passionate about sports, recreation, and the opportunity to share it with others. I love teaching and coaching my young goalie students and seeing them learn and flourish, and what I’ve learned in this class will help me be an even better mentor to them. I walk away from this class with the confidence that I can successfully contribute to leading and facilitating positive, life-changing recreational experiences for those around me. 

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Works Cited

Reflection Sayings and Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wiseoldsayings.com/reflection-quotes/#ixzz6LQY5MITb

Many times we find ourselves in situations where we are unfamiliar with those around us. That can be challenging under any circumstance. Now imagine that you are suddenly thrust into a situation where not only are you surrounded by a group of strangers, but now you have to join forces with them and work as a cohesive team. Would you be able to do it? The goal of this facilitation, “Bonding with the Boys – Becoming a Team,” is to take that very situation and use it to teach you different communication and team-building strategies so the next time you are faced with a similar challenge, you have the skills and knowledge to succeed!

Click to access facilitationplantemplate-1-2.pdf

Image from www.pinterest.com 

Good for You Network on Donate & Volunteer

Volunteering During COVID-19

Like thousands of other college students, I was shocked by the news of COVID-19 and our aborted Spring 2020 semester. I was happy to have an extra week of Spring Break while our school converted to online learning for the remainder of the semester, but I was anxious and uncertain about those changes and what they meant for my future. So, I did what many 20-somethings do when they are nervous and unsure – I went home to the comfort and familiarity of family, friends, and my hometown in Wisconsin. However, I quickly realized that the time with my friends and other social activities I normally use to tamp down my anxiety were not options in this time of social distancing. Enter my Grandma, who told me that the best way to forget about my own issues was to focus instead on what I could do for someone else. Volunteering was the perfect answer! 

Many service organizations rely on volunteers. According to happiness.com, volunteers are critical to the effective operation of many companies, particularly those funded by the government or private donations where sufficient money may not be available to pay staff. In addition, volunteers themselves experience many benefits, including the opportunity to give back, connect with others, and an overall improvement in mental health and stress reduction. 

Although many service organizations have closed during the current COVID-19 crisis to protect their staff and clients, the Dodge County Humane Society (DCHS), a non-profit organization in Juneau, Wisconsin dedicated to promoting animal welfare, was still open and in need of volunteer assistance. So I spent a beautiful spring morning walking several of the dogs currently available for adoption from the DCHS. 

My volunteer assignment was simple – walk and play with the dogs for about 45 minutes each. The goal was to give the dogs exercise and continued social bonding time with people, while providing sufficient time for the DCHS staff to clean and sanitize their kennels. No training was needed, although the staff provided valuable insight into each dog’s personality and how best to interact with them. The nearby Wild Goose State Trail provided a scenic trail to walk the dogs with lots of interesting things for them to sniff and some great wildlife viewing for me. The Randy C. Fiegel Dog Park, located on the DCHS grounds, provided a wonderful playground opportunity with plenty of room to run and even some agility obstacles for the more adventurous pooches. The park is fenced in, so I could let the dogs off their leashes for some ball-chasing fun. For those dog owners in the area, I highly recommend purchasing the dog park season pass – your beloved canines will thank you!

In an effort to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the DCHS recently implemented an online sign-up process for volunteers. Originally, they were accepting up to 15 dog walkers per hour, but they quickly discovered the dog park and walking trail became too crowded to maintain the recommended six foot spacing if that many volunteers showed up, so they reduced the maximum number of walkers to five per hour while expanding the number of available time slots. Overall, I found this to be a very effective and socially responsible way to balance the competing needs of public health and the animals’ welfare. I was particularly impressed by how quickly they identified the need to modify their scheduling and adapted accordingly. I think that kind of openness to change, attention to the needs of clients, and creative approach to meeting those needs are important lessons to apply in any type of leadership or customer service-focused experience and ones that I will remember the next time I lead such an activity. 

One suggestion I would make to improve the DCHS’ sign-up process is to implement an edit requiring each individual dog walker be entered separately, which would help enforce the five walkers per hour maximum. Currently, the system is set up with five slots, but individuals can enter multiple people per slot, which can result in exceeding the maximum walker capacity. Going forward, I think this type of electronic sign-up will continue to be a valuable tool. COVID-19 isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, so social distancing and the need to promote public safety will continue to be an important consideration. However, I think the value of this tool will last well beyond this current health crisis by providing an efficient and accessible planning mechanism for DCHS staff and volunteers alike.  

Picture courtesy of Samantha Livingston

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this volunteer experience. My grandma was right – it was exactly what I needed to take my mind off my own anxiety and concerns. I love animals, and the opportunity to spend time with such wonderful, loving creatures brought a smile to my face and my heart. It was also great exercise for both me and the dogs. I particularly liked that this is an activity that can appeal to and benefit people of all ages and abilities, and I think these types of opportunities for physical exercise and connection with other living creatures has never been more important than during this current health crisis. In addition, it may sound strange to say, but I found correlations between handling dogs of different ages, sizes, and personalities and what I’ve encountered when working with people of different abilities and temperaments. When working with people (or dogs), it’s important to remember that each one is unique, with different needs and experiences, so being able to recognize those needs and adapt accordingly is key to a successful and happy encounter. 

I was inspired by my time at the DCHS. The staff are caring, compassionate, and truly dedicated to the animals they serve. I was honored to be part of their community for the day. I know the dogs benefited from the time I spent with them, but I think I benefited even more. Even now, back in my college apartment in Normal, I smile when I think of “my day with the dogs,” and I know that very soon I will be seeking out a humane society in the area to see how I might help them as a volunteer. I hope you’ll consider doing the same! 

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Works Cited

Zuleta, M. (2020, January 22). Why is volunteering important? These 7 great reasons show the benefits. Retrieved from https://www.happiness.com/en/magazine/personal-growth/why-volunteering-is-important-benefits/

Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. 

– Jack Welch, former General Electric CEO (Success, 2018)

Am I a leader? I never really thought about it before this class. I always thought of a leader as the one who has all the answers and, therefore, can effectively guide others down the path. I certainly don’t have all the answers, although sometimes I may act like I do. How then could I be a leader when I still have so much to learn? I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle, and perhaps, as Jack Welch might say, I’m still growing myself so that someday I can grow others.

As part of our Recreation Leadership class, we completed the Gallup CliftonStrengths for Students assessment, a tool designed to identify our individual strengths and innate talents that we can leverage as we grow and develop our future successes. My top five themes and their meanings are: 

• Competition – This theme is focused on the drive to win or be the best compared to others.
• Activator – This strength prioritizes action over analyzing and believes the best way to learn is to do, evaluate mistakes, and then react and adjust accordingly for the next time. 
• Adaptability – This strength recognizes flexibility and a “go with the flow” attitude that is energized, rather than stressed, when things don’t go as planned and unexpected challenges arise. 
• Significance – This theme focuses on the importance of how you are perceived by others – the fact that they recognize and acknowledge you and view you as credible – as the primary motivation to continue working hard and pushing to achieve even more.
• Winning Others Over (WOO) – This talent encompasses the ability and desire to meet new people and find common ground with them. 

(Gallup, 2012)

Of these strengths, I find the Activator theme to be the most prevalent in my personality, so it seems logical for it to be the strength that I leverage this semester. I do prefer to dive right into activities rather than spending too much time thinking about them. I get antsy when I’m sitting still and not actively engaged in an activity, and thinking and analyzing often feels to me like sitting still. Action is energizing, and once you have the momentum of action on your side, it’s much easier to keep that activity flowing than it is to stop and start up again. Consequently, I feel motivated and excited by the prospect of diving into class activities, absorbing and experiencing as much as I can, and then learning from the results and adapting accordingly. That being said, I need to remember to proceed with some caution, as some level of planning and analyzing is needed to make sure I’m on the correct path. Otherwise, I could inadvertently waste a lot of time and resources, which as a student is bad enough, but could be devastating in a professional capacity. 

As I grow my own skills this semester, I find myself thinking about it means to be a leader, specifically an effective leader. I think an effective leader knows his own leadership strengths, as well as the diversity and individual strengths of the members of his group, and uses them to their best advantage. A group is only as strong as its weakest member, so an effective leader will find ways to maximize his group’s strengths while minimizing and strengthening their weaknesses. By doing so, he helps each team member become the best possible version of themselves and successful and integral members of the team. To accomplish this, it’s essential for an effective leader to be approachable and someone that his team can trust and respect.

Although I may not have all the answers and haven’t made any formal leadership training, it strikes me that I do have some leadership experience. I’m a goalie on my hockey team, and as such, I really do serve as a team leader. I am the one position that always has to be aware of where play is happening, and so it’s essential I communicate that information to my teammates. When there’s tension in the locker room, I’m often the one who steps in and tries to resolve the conflict. If the team isn’t cohesive off the ice, they won’t play like a team on the ice either. In addition, I’ve worked as a goalie coach for younger players where I lead their practices and help them learn new skills and techniques. That type of coaching utilizes the same type of communication and team building skills that I envision in an effective leader. 

My preferred leadership style is a combination of being demanding and pushing people balanced with respect, positivity and encouragement. People need to know that you believe in them and their abilities, but most people also need to be pushed outside of their comfort zone to achieve their best possible self. Respect is key because people will not trust you, the process, or what you are trying to accomplish if you don’t treat them with respect. I personally respond positively to this type of leadership style, and I find my goalie students do as well. I think many of my personal strengths, including my social skills and ability to easily build rapport with diverse personalities, my problem-solving skills and comfort with making decisions and adapting to the situation, and my positive and supportive approach to encouraging people while still challenging them are strong qualities that help me to be successful with this leadership style.  

I’m excited about this semester and how I can apply the things I have and will still learn to the leader I hope to be. I look forward to the opportunity for my future self to reflect back on this time and how far I’ve come:

Dear Adam in May 2020, 

    Well, you’ve done it! The semester is over, and you successfully completed your Recreation Leadership class. You’ve learned so much about yourself, what you’re capable of accomplishing, and what it means to be a leader. 

Your communication skills are so much better. Do you remember how you used to look scowly and angry all the time, even when you really didn’t feel that way? You’ve finally learned the value of a smile, and how that simple nonverbal cue positively changes how people view you as approachable and trustworthy. You’ve also improved your oral communication by letting your voice naturally reflect the excitement and passion you feel, instead of that monotone delivery you used to use. 

Look at how much you’ve grown as a teammate! You’ve learned to step up and be a more proactive teammate from the beginning. Instead of just sitting back and waiting for someone to tell you what to do, you openly share your thoughts and advocate for your ideas. That helps build chemistry and morale in the team because you’re actively engaged and participating. It’s also helped you be a more supportive teammate because you can clearly see when and where your teammates need help and then use your Activator strength to take action. 

Finally, you’ve improved as a leader. You’ve used your Competition and Significance themes to motivate and inspire you to be the best leader you can be, one worthy of the respect and recognition of others. You tapped the WOO in you to reach out to others and build rapport and interpersonal connections, and your Adaptability strength has given you the power to adjust and embrace these new skills and approach to leadership. Now, when you put this all into action, you are the effective leader you always imagined. You understand your strengths and how to use them, but you also know how to recognize and support your team and their own strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, you’ve learned how to motive, inspire, challenge, and support them as they grow into the best versions of themselves.  

Good job, future Adam! I’m proud of you. I knew you could do it, and I’m excited to see where this new-found knowledge takes you. Always remember though, learning is a life-time endeavor so never stop looking for ways to continue to improve and grow your skills. 

Sincerely, 

Adam in February 2020

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Works Cited

Gallup, Inc.  (2012). Adam Lindeman: Your Signature Themes Report. 

SUCCESS Staff https://www.success.com/author/success-staff/. (2018, September 6). 10 Powerful Quotes on Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.success.com/10-powerful-quotes-on-leadership/

It might seem strange to start out a blog post about volunteering with a quote regarding passion, but I’ve found that one often breeds the other. Volunteering is such a worthwhile endeavor. It’s a way to help others and give back to your community. It builds character and strengthens humanity, both for you and those you serve, and it ignites passion. When you’re passionate about something, you naturally want to share it with others, and what better way than through volunteering your time and talents to do so? In addition, many people who volunteer in support of a cause find a passion for service they didn’t even know they had! 

I recently had an amazing volunteer opportunity to share one of my passions, ice hockey, with a group of young goaltenders at the Bloomington Ice Center (BIC), a non-profit recreational facility in Bloomington, Illinois offering a variety of ice skating opportunities to people of all ages. The goal of this particular event was to provide in-depth instruction to young ice hockey goaltenders, develop and encourage good habits, fine-tune their skills in the net, and build their confidence. It was a great experience. I love ice hockey, particularly playing goalie. It is something I am truly passionate about, and it brings me joy to share it with others. Teaching kids the game I love was so satisfying, but the best part was seeing them learn and having fun while doing so. I don’t know who enjoyed the experience more – the kids or me! 

The BIC was a great facility for this type of event. The safety of participants is of utmost concern at BIC. First aid equipment, including an AED, are readily available in the rink, and staff are trained and certified in first aid response. We only used a single sheet of ice for the event but made good use of the space by setting up eight different “stations,” each focusing on a different skill or activity. 

We had fourteen coaches spread over the eight stations to provide guidance and direction to the participants. Two to three kids worked at each station at a time, before rotating to a new station every ten to fifteen minutes. This structure works extremely well for this type of training event because it maximizes the available space, uses small group work to minimize the amount of “downtime” when participants aren’t actively engaged, and provides a variety of different kinds of training opportunities. 

Our event leader assigned me the role of “lead” instructor. Since I have played the goalie position at a higher level than the other coaches, our leader wanted me to help guide and instruct the other coaches as well as the participants. Consequently, I was not assigned a specific station to run. Rather, I floated from station to station to check in, guide the coaches, make sure they were emphasizing the right things, and offer suggestions, explanation, and input to both the coaches and students. Our young goalie students ranged in age from six to fourteen years old, so this approach also allowed me to customize and change drills to make them more advanced for groups of older, more experienced students. 

Overall, I think the training structure worked well. Given my experience, I was able to connect with the students and provide input and personal testimony that really resonated with them. I remember, when I first started out as a goalie, feeling so appreciative when an older goalie shared some of his secrets and techniques because I knew he truly understood the challenges I faced in a way that someone who had never played that position couldn’t. It’s so rewarding to now share my own secrets with the next generation, knowing that I’ve been able to give them something so valuable. The students were like sponges, eager to absorb everything I had to share. They were happy to be there and learn, and that made my job incredibly easy. 

I wish, though, that I had been able to work more closely with the students in a manner that more personally addressed their training needs. For example, some of the younger kids aren’t the best skaters and would have benefitted from some one-on-one help with their skating techniques. Others would have benefited from personalized training on positioning or other specifics. In addition, I wish I would have had the time and opportunity to review the session plan in more detail before we started. I wasn’t as familiar with the practice plan as I should have been, which meant I wasn’t as efficient or effective with providing input and guidance as I could have been. There were also modifications to the session that I would have recommended, had I thoroughly reviewed the plan in advance. For example, kids really enjoy the use of “props” as training aids. Next time, I would recommend using a screen board to obstruct their line of sight to the puck, as that’s a regular occurrence in game situations and one that most goalies need practice in how to handle. These were good lessons for me that underscore the importance of ensuring that I properly plan my own time as well as that of the students. Going forward, it’s imperative that I continue to improve my skills in preparedness. Doing so will help ensure that I am equipped and ready to provide the best possible experience to the students. 

Next time I’m in a position to lead such a group, I intend to take charge and really lead the group. I am very good at ramping up the energy if the kids seem a little tired, and as a goalie myself, I know how to motivate other goalies. However, this being my first time coaching at BIC, I felt a little timid. I didn’t want to step on anyone toes or make it seem that I was critical of their efforts. Consequently, as things went a bit off track, which is a normal part of life, especially when working with kids, I didn’t step up as much as or in the best way I could have to resolve things. Now that I’ve established a rapport both with the kids and the other coaches, I feel more comfortable speaking up and taking the lead, and I look forward to the opportunity to do so.

In general, I found the event to be organized and well-run. It takes significant time and effort to coordinate and organize such an event, including scheduling the ice time, coordinating availability for so many coaches, planning drills and activities, and promoting and marketing the event to potential participants. I think the BIC staff did a great job with it. However, even great things can be improved. I would love to see future events of this nature include:

• Slightly lengthened event time to allow for stretching and warm-up activities. These are great team-building opportunities and an essential part of any pre-practice/game routine to get into the right frame of mind and prevent injuries.
• More in-depth orientation and training for the coaches. Some of the coaches were unfamiliar with certain drills and how and why they’re used, so some upfront explanation would benefit both the coaches and participants. 
• More expansive invitation. There are many more goalies in the local hockey organization and surrounding communities who would have benefitted from this event, but many didn’t even know it existed. I would like to see expanded marketing and promotional advertisement so that future sessions could see at least 90% of the goalies in the organization in attendance. I work at BIC, and I didn’t even know this session was occurring until I approached my managers to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Even something as simple and inexpensive as posters hung up around the rink would improve program visibility.  

Through this experience, I’ve learned a lot about my ability to work with people and interact with program participants. I’ve served in a similar capacity in other organizations, but it was always under the guidance of a mentor or other more-experienced goalie coach who could give me guidance and answer my questions. Volunteering at BIC gave me the opportunity to approach this task from another perspective. This time I was the one who was mentoring others and answering their questions. It’s a role I haven’t played before, but it turns out I’m pretty good at it. I enjoyed the opportunity, and I’m proud of the work I was able to do – both in teaching our young goalies and helping develop coaches who can further that training during practices and games. 

These types of programs are essential to both the players and the BIC. Players need these kinds of development opportunities to grow into the best version of themselves they can be. The BIC benefits through continued participation and funding. It’s not just the money that BIC makes from the events themselves, it’s the excitement that is built among players, both current and future, to continue to want to play and participate. That excitement builds a future income stream for BIC and the local hockey associations for years to come because players know that BIC will provide them with a place to grow and develop their skills in the game they love. 

All in all, both the event and the volunteer opportunity were successes. Our young goalies gained some valuable, practical skills that they can immediately apply to their next practice or game situation. I, personally, had a great time sharing the game I love with a group of like-minded, eager, young people. It reminds me why I love hockey so much and reinvigorates me to continue to play, live, and serve with passion. The next time you’re looking for an opportunity to find your passion, I hope you will consider the BIC and its many ice programs and volunteer opportunities. I know I will!

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

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• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

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• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

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