June 26, 2013
Go New Ro has finally arrived!
Today nineteen freshmen arrived for the Iona in Mission: Go New Ro 2013 program. They have come all across the United States (Florida, California, Texas, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York) to begin their Iona careers engaging in service, developing leadership skills, reflecting on social justice, and deepening their understanding of citizenship. What a group they are! The students are lively, engaged, very intelligent, committed to faith and service...truly great Gaels in the making.
We began our time together by breaking the ice and building our newly formed community. After the ice was broken we began to look at why we are participating in Go New Ro and to look at the foundations of our program. The Two Feet of Social Justice was introduced as our way of thinking about service, social justice, and community engagement. By using each of the two equal feet of direct-service and advocacy (leadership) we are able to walk balanced and effectively. We also examined the mission statements of Iona College, the Office of Mission and Ministry, and the Office of Off-Campus Housing to ground us in the vision of Iona.
The group also hosted a Hospitality Supper at the Mission & Ministry House of Hospitality, which is a staple of the Iona experience. Every Thursday evening a student organization hosts a free dinner where all are welcome...this time our Go New Ro'ers hosted for upper-class peers and Iona College staff. Carl Procario-Foley, the director of Mission and Ministry, co-led our Hospitality reflection with our great student leaders Areini and Kate Ann. We were asked to put ourselves in other people's shoes by throwing our own shoes in the circle and imagining the lives of Matthew at the soup kitchen, a recent immigrant learning English at the Ursuline Outreach Center, and Br. Damian a retired Christian Brother at the St. Joseph's Care Facility. I can't think of a better way to start this program by coming together as an inclusive community gathered to share food and also call to mind our brothers and sisters on the margins of society.
Lastly, we were asked to reflect on our leadership style and given an amazing foundation in leadership theory by the Office of Student Development's Jason Gloe and Lauren Zanfardino. The students examined their values, split into groups for a leadership exercise, and set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based).
Pictures below:
Go New Ro'ers hard at work collaborating on building largest tower activity to "win a bid for Habitat Humanity contract..." How do we communicate, listen, delegate, share, and creatively think?
Signing off until tomorrow...tune in to hear about the service projects and other activities the day will bring!
Peace,
Stephen Hill, Coordinator of Iona in Mission
