Assignment

1) In the book Pour Your Heart Into It, in chapter 11, Schulz talks about "how businesses fail because its leader could not execute". Maybe this is because they are not aware of their own strengths or the strength of their team. With that in mind, what are three strength/attributes that you have and that you can offer in a service-learning activity?

2) Schulz relied on several people for advice when he was following his dreams. Think about a time when you have given or received advice. Was it helpful? Was it not so good advice? Additionally, list two or more traits you would like to see in a mentor. Why are these traits important to you?

3) William Penn is credited with saying, "I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

This statement is similar to the idea behind "paying it forward," or performing a random act of kindness for a stranger, who in turn would do another random act of kindness for another stranger, and so on. This is a philosophy popularized recently by Starbucks and the media.

If money were no issue, what is something that you would do for another person or group of persons to "pay it forward" (besides buying them a cup of coffee in the drive through line)? Why would you like to do it? What do you hope would be the outcome of this act? After considering this, do you feel that it would "make a difference"?

4) Mahatma Gandhi famously said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Reflect back over your experiences throughout the past eight weeks. In light of what have you learned, what new ideas did you discover about the idea of community? What change do you want to see in the world, and what assets and interest do you have to make change happen in your community?