10/7/13
What a day to be a Periclean! We started off today’s class with announcements from a few of our hardworking committees, specifically the promotions and fund-raising committees, and they were bursting with announcements. The promotions committee led the discussion on the reality of getting a tent for Homecoming weekend, and then followed that up with a conversation on the possibility of bringing the Periclean mission to GST 110 classes. We decided that that was an excellent way to increase awareness of the program, and are investigating it further. The fundraising committee brought the idea of delivering freshly-baked cookies, or other baked goods, to dorms for a small fee. This idea was quickly latched upon, and is also being explored as a great fundraising option. Essentially, it would be very much like candy grams…but hand delivered and home cooked (hopefully they will still be warm by the time they reach whoever bought some!).
The discussion then switched to looking at the effectiveness of large vs. small group discussions. We agreed that while both have pros and cons, both are necessary to a group of our size. The idea of following a parliamentary procedure was also raised, as an attempt to streamline our classes more, but that is still under discussion. That would be a drastic change from the current free-form style that we currently follow.
As we continued our class we brought attention to the fact that we are working with a time frame, and so the search for our project continues. We talked for a bit about the need for facilitating change, instead of merely implementing a project and then leaving it. For example, you could build a community a well, but that would eventually fall into disrepair once you left. The challenge is finding a project that is sustainable for the long term, and one that is sustainable without you having any further input. So that was another day rolling by, and we are all getting excited for the celebrations on Thursday!
-Nicholas Cianciara
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10/9/13
Wednesday’s class began with a presentation from April about the “Vos Que
Haras por Honduras?” movement that our class is thinking about partnering with.
April helped translate the group’s mission, which is to continue motivating
Hondurans to express their solidarity. The group hopes to do this through different
events sponsored by different companies over the next few months that this will
motivate people towards positive spirit and hope. The goal is to change Honduras’
image of a country characterized by violence, drugs, and corruption by getting
citizens involved to make a change. Thus far, the Voz Que Haras Por Honduras?
main causes are education, health, and the environment.
The class proceeded to discuss the potential benefits and concerns of
partnering with Vos Que Haras Por Honduras. As a whole, the class really wants to
work on an issue that we know is important to the people of Honduras, not an issue
that we feel is the most important. Working with Por Honduras will provide us
direct contact with the citizens of Honduras, so we can work together with them
towards their own goals. We also raised the concerns that the movement is only
beginning, so we cannot be sure that it will succeed, possibly limiting our opportunity to make partnerships. Ultimately, took a survey on whether they would
like to partner with Vos Que Haras por Honduras, but no final decisions have been made.
After our class discussion, we broke into groups to discuss potential final
projects. While discussing a final project, the reality that half the semester has
already passed became daunting. Though our class is making positive strides
towards our goal, we still feel that there is so much to learn about Honduras, Cargill,
Vos Que Haras por Honduras, and each other. We look forward to diving back into
work after fall break!
-Jenna Mason
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One Comment
So much to consider! And HOW to consider it? Didn’t even think about that being a question until it came up! We’ve learned a lot from one another this semester.