Leadership 4 Service Reflections

Leadership 4 Service Reflections

One week ago, our HOBY Texas North student ambassadors came together along with seminar volunteers and various alumni who joined us for the day to give back to our communities.  During this one day, in the middle of our HOBY Youth Leadership Seminar held at the University of Texas @ Arlington, we boarded buses and scattered throughout the DFW Metroplex area to give back to eight different deserving non profits.   These organizations included Crossroads Community Services, Goodwill – Dallas, Goodwill – Irving, Mission Arlington, Seasons for Change, World Visions, YMCA – Metro & The Wildscape.

After grabbing our donated lunches from Zoe’s Kitchen, we boarded the buses and headed out to #DoGood, to give back to those more in need.  We spend time sorted through clothing and household donations, preparing meals for those impacted by the tornadoes in Oklahoma, preparing summer reading kits for children and cleaning up an outdoor nature center, just to name a few areas of impact. Afterwards we can together to reflect on the service that we had given, how it impacted others and how it impacted each of us in a very positive way. 

To honor this day of service – which is an integral part of our four day leadership seminar – the State of Texas recognized Saturday, June 8^th as “HOBY Youth Leadership Day.” 

The feed back that we received and our own reflections demonstrate how important our Leadership 4 Service is both to our communities and to ourselves. Some of the feedback that we received:

“Thank you so much for allowing Goodwill to welcome members of the Hugh O’Brian Youth service program

to two of our store sites last weekend.  Goodwill’s mission is to provide employment and job training for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages.  I spoke with store managers at both our Irving and Westmoreland locations and they shared that these volunteer groups were fantastic. . .I would add that one of my store managers said, “they were the best youth group of volunteers we have ever received!”  That’s quite a review.” -  Goodwill Project Coordinator

"It was really eye opening that this much help was needed, and it's not as hard as it seems when you're working together. It's also a great bonding experience." -Reegan L / 2013 Ambassador

"I thought it was outstanding that thirty-five ambassadors made over eighteen thousand meals today for natural disaster victims." -Jimmy W / Volunteer

At the end of the seminar, our Ambassadors, all high school sophomores, commit to completed 100 hours of community service or Leadership 4 Service hours. They also take time to reflect on how the HOBY Seminar and the service projects have impacted them personally.  Here are just three of the reflections (kept anonymous):

“HOBY has helped me grasp the concept of servant leadership. I've begun to think more about leading for the good of others and about how much of an impact I might make on the world. I've learned to take initiative and not care about what the world thinks of me. Instead, if I am confident in myself, I know that good will come out of it.”

“It's a lot easier to lead and serve than I thought it was. Everyone is sort of looking for guidance whether we

notice it or not and everyone is in need of service. You don't have to always help feed homeless people or do this big project to serve your community.”

“My views have changed in the sense that me, being one person, can do anything that I want to do as long as I have the passion to. All the ambassadors there, as a group, we can change the world with our generations. One small action can make a chain reaction.”

The Largest HOBY HUG in HISTORY!

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The LARGEST HOBY HUG in HISTORY!

The Largest HOBY HUG in HISTORY!

Well, we aren’t sure, but as far as we are concerned it is!  Let’s tell you the story. . .

First, let us tell you what a HOBY HUG is.  It is a gesture of kindness, whether in an email, a virtual message, or something inspirational on a piece of paper.  Different seminars do them in different ways. . .and at HOBY Texas North, our volunteer staff decorates larger index cards with drawings, stickers and most importantly, an inspirational message.  These “hugs” are sold for typically $1 during the seminar and people will buy them and give the “hug” to someone special.  It is a wonderful tradition and gesture and we take the money and put it towards the following year’s seminar.

This year, when our LSC was going through the registrations, she noticed that we had an Ambassador coming from West, Texas.  For those who may not know, on April 17^th, a fertilizer plant blew up killing at least 15 people, injuring over 200 more, and destroying many homes in the area surrounding the blast.  She met with the volunteer leadership and decided that this year, instead of taking HOBY HUG money and putting it towards next year’s seminar, they would donate it to a local West, Texas charity that is helping residents recover in the aftermath.  During the weekend, without telling anyone of their plans, they managed to raise close to $300 which ironically is about $1 for every Ambassador, alum and volunteer at the seminar. 

HOBY Texas North "HOBY HUGS"

On Sunday, the plan was to bring the student from West, Texas up on stage to talk about his school and their experience and then to give him, along with his family the check to take back with them to their community.  As the junior staff was told of the plan and started to craft a very large check for the presentation, one young man – himself a HOBY alum who had just graduated from high school the night before, told fellow volunteers “we can do better.”  So with that, they took it upon themselves to make what we believe is the LARGEST HOBY HUG in history!  During the presentation, they went up on stage along with the Ambassador from West, Texas and his family and auctioned it off, raising another $150. . .making it also the MOST EXPENSIVE/VALUABLE HOBY HUG in history!  Rounding up the sales of all of the HOBY HUGS, a total of $500 was donated that day to a very surprised and thankful Ambassador, now an alum of HOBY, to his community in West, Texas.

The point of the story is less about the potential of a record being set, in fact that really isn’t the point at all.  The point is more about defining what HOBY is, what HOBY does, how HOBY impacts.  HOBY is about empowering others through actions, it is about leading while serving others most in need, and it is about excelling in all that we do.  The creativity, passion and empathy. . .and the thoughtfulness of the contribution is what we hope to inspire and when we see it in action, this is our reward.  After serving 1551 volunteer service hours the day before, our volunteers and alumni came back the next day to yet again make a difference.  And the best news of the weekend is that here in HOBY Texas North, we have 200 more OUTSTANDING leaders who are poised and ready to make an impact!

Ambassador Testimony - Jay Person

Being at HOBY has been not only life changing, but it changed my view on things. I have never been quiet nor have I been shy, but I have also never been one to just burst out into cheers and just go up to random people and say hi and give them a hug. HOBY has been an amazing experience, and I am absolutely honored that my school had deemed me worthy to go and represent them. 

One thing that will always stick with me that I have learned from HOBY is having no regrets. You can't control the past, but you can control your present and future. My time at HOBY has been an amazing thing with all of the epically awesome new friends that I have met, and I am hoping that next year, I can come back as a Junior Facilitator and possibly do for others what my JF and SF (Senior Facilitator) have done for me. Now as my time at HOBY has come to an end—for now— so shall this.  As Kara Silvey stated "This may seem like the end, but it is only the beginning."

— Jon-Michael "Jay" Person

Riding Roughly West

The pioneers set forth on a journey west, not sure of the exact destination but knowing that they were searching for someplace better, something better. They gathered their families and what they needed for the long journey ahead and set forth, following the sun during the day and the stars at night. Along the way, they met others from different backgrounds, experiences, talents but with one thing in common, the pursuit of something better. They banded together to overcome obstacles and blaze new trails. One day, on that magical day, they reached the top of the mountain and looked down at the roaring ocean below, realizing that while the physical journey had ended, their journey together, to create a better place, had just begun.

Just over the last four days, 282 outstanding ambassadors, volunteers, speakers and other contributors came together, making this seminar one of our best. We welcomed new friends from large schools and small, public and private. We worked alongside HOBY alum & volunteers from Texas North, Gulf Coast, Florida, Oregon, Kansas, Massachusetts, Iowa and those that went through in the 2000’s, 1990’s, 1980’s and 1970’s. Volunteers ranged from 16 to 80 in age. We discussed subjects ranging from Digital Leadership to Transformational Thinking, Gun Rights/Control to Immigration, and Bullying to Social Responsibility. This is the most diverse group of Ambassadors in the HISTORY of Texas North. We've more returning parents THAN EVER BEFORE. We all came together to learn, listen, laugh, cry, lead, serve, inspire, lean in and move forward. Together, we contributed 1,551 Leadership4Service hours in ONE DAY.

As my fourth year with HOBY comes to a close today, I see myself mirrored in the excited faces of our outstanding ambassadors. It can be said that HOBY took me from east to west in the most profound and life-changing ways, and helping these ambassadors navigate their own paths has been perhaps the greatest joy of my life thus far.

And as we come to the top of our mountain and realize that our physical journey together is coming to an end, we realize this is just the beginning.

HOBY Hugs,
Kara Silvey

Leadership isn't about perfection

When everything goes perfect, it is easy to lead.  However, the true test of character is when things don't go exactly as planned.  Take today for example. . .

We woke up to rain. We can't control weather but rain does make parking and walking more difficult.  Add to that a delay in getting rooms opened up and a miscommunication on a meeting place.  Changes to a schedule.  But these are the times when one must ADAPT, IMPROVISE and OVERCOME because rarely in life does everything work out as planned.  So, we rally the troops, redo the plans and move forward!  And in the end, everything works out.

That is a common theme that we heard throughout the seminar. . .success will not attack you, it won't come find you.  Leadership isn't easy, it takes work.  You need to plan, but even the best laid plans will need to ebb and flow.  But listening to Reflections last night and seeing the Ambassadors and parents today, we are confident that we have an OUTSTANDING group of leaders, each who will find their individual path, opportunity and passion and lead.  Regardless of what life throws at them!

Service Projects Serving the Soul

As any HOBYian knows, community service is a major and fundamental element of our practice as leaders. Today, our ambassadors received first hand this element and took it in as a new passion, even a responsibility. As every team excitedly buzzed in recollection at dinner time this evening, I took the opportunity to grab some of their insight on the topic. Here's what they had to say:

"It was an unbelievable experience. I never thought it would be this rewarding to volunteer." -Alan Diaz

"I'm so blessed to have had that experience because I live here, and I had no idea so many people

were in need." -Jireh Davis

"It was just awesome." -Mackenzie Lawrence

"The experiences I was observing today through my ambassadors were profound. It was the most inspirational moment for me so far." -Angela Lassiter, Senior Facilitator

"It was a catalyst for doing more in my own community." -Olivia Huchton

"It was a really great bonding experience for our group. It helped us come together, work as a team, and benefit a cause larger than we as individuals." -Lakshmi Menon, Junior Facilitator

"It was really eye opening that this much help was needed, and it's not as hard as it seems when you're working together. It's also a great bonding experience." -Reegan Ledet

"It was really rewarding today. I wrote letters, which was really cool because some family in Oklahoma will open one and get emotional support from me, even though I live in another state." -Chase Denson

"It opened up my perspective on the world as a whole and is motivating me to engage in service opportunities on my own." -Helene Weideman

"It made me appreciate the things I have instead of envy the things I don't have." -Madison Rayford

"I feel like a better and nicer person." -Jaeidah Reed

"I thought it was outstanding that thirty-five ambassadors made over eighteen thousand meals today for natural disaster victims." -Jimmy Walsh, Junior Facilitator

"I think it's crazy that in just five hours, our group was able to impact a ton of people just by working together." -Klara Keim

"It was a humbling experience." -Hannah Roberts

"It showed me that different people who are commonly motivated can work together better than they did individually." -Austin Smith

"Helping others in turn helped myself." -Kimberly Owen

"I loved that it's more about leading by example and working hard to see great things happen." -Brock Holman, Senior Facilitator

"I gave all I had and got more in return!" -Chris Scaggs

Clearly, our ambassadors have gotten a taste of that sweet service glory and are getting ready to return home and implement new, altruistic habits in their life. And HOBY couldn't be happier; these

leaders are only just beginning their run with the ripple effect.

HOBY Hugs,
Kara Silvey

Why is Leadership 4 Service important?

Sorry folks. . .long but #OUTSTANDING day today giving back to our local communities!!  Today, HOBY Texas North Ambassadors and volunteers contributed 1,551 service hours to eight worthy non profit organizations across the DFW area!  More on those later. . .

But someone emailed us and asked "why is L4S important to HOBY?"  Great question!

Our goal is to help our young men and women to understand that their time and ability to lead starts not when they go off to college, find a job, start a family. . .it starts now.  And leadership isn't always at the head of the class or leading a group or project in the traditional manner.  Sometimes leading is setting an example or serving others.  One of our speakers made the reference to St. Francis of Assisi.  He said "regardless of what religion you are, the lesson is valuable".   St. Francis once said "preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words."  Taken in the context of leadership, you could say "be a leader at all times and when necessary, use words" meaning lead by example.  By serving others who are in need, we set an example for others and in that way, we lead.

Our volunteer staff is busy uploading photos and taking notes.  We think that they will have enough energy to make a couple of posts before lights out. . .but we aren't promising anything!  ;)