Inclusive Leadership

Inclusive leadership, a concept that is based upon the recruitment of others into one's great vision. No man is an island; we are a collective species which requires the cooperation of others to build a better life for our community, or to work towards the goals that we set for ourselves as individuals. "Sink or swim", we do it together.

So it comes as no surprise that every leader needs followers to assist in building his/her vision. However, inclusive leadership is more than that. One cannot just encompass his/her vision with others who follow in blind faith. As one brings others into his/her vision, the vision grows; it changes, and as it should. With each participant, new variables are added to the equation; new ideas and concepts flourish. A wise leader will allow the followers to create a stake in the vision for themselves; the wise leader will allow the followers to mid-wife the vision to a concept greater than what the leader could have created on their own. Through such inclusive leadership, the vision prospers into something greater than an individual could create on his/her own, and it becomes a benefit to all of those involved.

We Are All Unique Little Flowers

Like everyone else on this planet, the universe has created me with special qualities, unique attributes, and eccentric talents. My personal talents and attributes are as special as those belonging to you, the reader. We all have strengths that can facilitate our desires to flourish.

The strengths that I possess that will assist me in building my grand plans of an international collective of students begin with my experiences. Such experiences as studying abroad, and my building of international social capital are only two amongst many.

Through my life experiences I have learned to look at the world through a clear lens; untainted by my personal subjective perspective, I assimilate knowledge without judgement, without doubt, and without fear. The ability to see opportunities where others see obstacles, I am able to continue my progression with the idealism of hope. When others say "nay", I have am instinct to say "aye". When others would give up, I only wish to push harder down my path. Through my drive and my hope, I feel that I may accomplish any lofty goal that I set for myself.

However, good intentions are not enough to find my way to the end of my path; nor is my work ethic. As said before, we are all special little snowflakes, and we all have qualities that are uniquely our own. My qualities that I am able to apply to my Blueprints vision include a personal knowledge of the cultures and communities that I wish to include in my project.

An additional quality is my ability to reach out to others and build bonds of friendship; it is my talent for networking. The project I wish to initiate will involve a great amount of human resource; resources that cross international borders, and this is something that I have already began to build.

Another of my great strengths that I believe will serve my purpose the best is my ability to inspire others. Through life, I have learned that I have a talent for influencing others; this is something that is reflected to me regularly. Such a quality is pertinent to accomplish my goal, for I shall need a great amount of others' involvement to assist me in my project, and I will need them to feel the same passion that fills my spirit. So, I shall use this innate talent to my advantage, and as a tool I will yield it to recruit others to my cause.

One may approach their goals from many angles; there are many ways to lead towards an objective. My method will be to use the people skills I have built throughout my life to inspire others to look at the world through the clear lens that I see through, and by my vision, I am confident that those included in my project will find the same hope for the future that I have.

How I Will Change the World With My Vision

To begin, my vision is to create an international student cooperative between the students of Mexico and the students of U of M Dearborn. One may think of this as an exchange program, but more. Through the involvement of service learning, and the use of modern communication technology, I foresee students creating greater bonds, learning more about each others' cultures and societies, and building greater relations between our two great nations.
To consider the possibility of not only U of M Dearborn students visiting Mexico, but also Mexican students attending U of M Dearborn, one can see a great opportunity to exchange ideas, and to share insights. The future belongs to the youth of the world; if we are to create a better future, then we need to change the vision of those who have a stake in it.
Imagine the possibility of ending cultural tensions between our two great countries. Imagine an improved relationship with our Latin American neighbors, a relationship in which we all share a greater compassion for each other. Unseen by most is that what happens in Detroit, is connected to what happens in Puebla, Guanajato, or Oaxaca. The people of Detroit see the jobs we've become accustomed to having being shipped overseas. However, we do not see the implications of what these new job markets do to the places that receive them. Unknown to the people of Detroit is that these countries that receive these jobs are also paying a price; be it cultural, environmental, or relating to social justice issue, these countries that receive the jobs that are outsourced, are also paying a price for corporate globalization.
Globalization has many implications, most of which we have only seen as negative thus far. However, globalization could pay off in the long run for humanity; it makes the world a smaller place. Globalization can bridge the gaps of our societies around the world; it can bring all of us closer together in a collective that benefits everyone within our species.
So, how will I change the world with my vision? I plan to begin bridging these gaps; I plan to begin bringing us all closer, and I plan to start this with one of our closest neighboring countries.

The Gift of Giving that Comes from the Holiday Spirit

The unrelenting spirit to survive of our world's poorest people never ceases to amaze me. With so little resources, these people continue to manage; they get by, and in doing so they find joy in their lives.

In an age when the world is advancing and changing exponentially, the gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to grow. Such change calls for actions of responsibility from those with the capacity to create growth for those who are without the resources to foster change on their own.

Such thoughts dominate the mind of this writer during times of holiday cheer. While others may think of the gifts they will be exchanging with their loved ones, The thoughts that prevail mine are questions of what I may do for the less fortunate. This concept being claimed as Christian amuses me, since I do not consider myself Christian...

However, an inexorable need continues to pull at me during these times; it is this need that gave me my impulsive idea last night. And the idea is this...

I will be visiting Mexico for Christmas this year. I am going to visit my Mexican loved ones, and to initiate the grand plan for my Blueprints vision with the head of education in Oaxaca. As mentioned in my last blog pertaining to this Blueprints Vision; I have decided to work on building an international community of students and educators, working in a cultural exchange and promoting service learning between our two countries.

Aside from my already laid plans, I have decided to use my Birthday as a benefit to round up donations for less fortunate children in Oaxaca. Items such as toys, books, school supplies and clothes are what I will be gathering in order to donate to an orphanage or school. Now, while this started off as a one time, random project, I have to ask myself why this couldn't be incorporated into my Blueprints Vision. Why couldn't this assistance be continued past this holiday season??

So in addition to the ideas that I have brainstormed for the cultural exchange, and international student community, it is my belief that this would be another wonderful aspect to add to the program I am working to build.

Because of this, I ask that if any readers have any advice or assistance that you feel you are capable of offering, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you, and HAppy Holidays to you and yours.

unicef and the clinton global initiative

Leaders at Clinton Global Initiative renew commitments to health and education

NEW YORK, USA, 26 September 2007 – A $30 million pledge to help educate children affected by conflict, especially in Iraq and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and a pledge of $1 billion to help improve maternal and child health worldwide were announced at the Clinton Global Initiative today.

Inspired By My Fellow Man To Find My Vision

Amazement never escapes me. In times such as these, with economic hardship, political unrest, and polarization, to become astounded is inescapable; no matter how damaged the world may seem in certain moments, hope still exists. And within the hearts and minds of average people is that hope found; for no matter how dark these days appear, there is light in the eyes who wish to See a more perfect world.

I spent this Halloween weekend with such a group of people. All new to this year's Blueprints leadership program at U of M Dearborn, the other students and I ventured off to a retreat. Only having met once or twice, we hardly even knew each other. However, we all shared a common goal: to help create a better world. On the retreat, I was able to learn more of my co-collaborators; I learned of their lives; I learned of their dreams, and the whole process gave me a hunger to learn more. Granted, we are a very diverse group, coming from a variety of background. We all have different issue that are important to us; we all see different changes we would like to foster in the world. But it is the desire to create change that binds us; and I am thankful to have such a group to envelope myself within.

Aside from providing a bonding experience, the retreat we were on was an initiating process to the creation of our individual visions, a means to start us thinking about the change we want to create. While participating in this was stimulating, it also consumed a great amount of energy. So no surprise came to me when I could not develop a specific vision for myself today. I was truly inspired by those around me, but it was almost as though my mind was on sensory-overload with good intentions. What lofty goal could I set for myself that would do something of significance to the communities that I care about? I could not see it. My mind was scattered with a patchwork of images.

So I let it lie for the moment. Returning home, and regaining my connection to the electronic world, I checked all my emails and such to learn what I had missed for the weekend; it was in instant messaging that I bumped into my "Mexican" cousin who I had not spoken to for about a year and a half. We caught up, and I had told him that I was planning to return to Oaxaca for the winter holidays. True to the Mexican nature that I have come to know and love, he extended the invitation to stay with the family (as did his sister and father when I spoke to them last). This is the quality that has really built my affection for the Mexican culture; once they build a friendship with an individual, they take them in as family, no matter how much time or distance has lain between you. The Mexico I have come to love is warm, welcoming, and the most wonderfully kind culture; it is something that is unlike anything I have ever experienced within American society.

After some time catching up with my cousin Hugo (FYI - he's not a blood relative, but a member of a family that took me in as an exchange student), after some time within our conversation, I began to reflect upon how wonderful my experience studying in Mexico truly was. I was able to recall all that I had learned, how badly I wanted to learn more, and how I wished I could do something to continue that experience and share it with others. This was the moment that my Blueprints Vision came to me; I decided that I wanted to continue this experience, build upon it, and bring it to my new community at the University of Michigan Dearborn.

However, an exchange student program is to simple of a definition as to that which I desire to create. Yes, one could call it an exchange program, but I want it to be more than what I experienced. I want to create an organization that midwives an international relationship between the students of the United States of America and the United States of Mexico.

In essence, a new community is something that I wish to build. I would like to see students build relationships that may continue into their careers of relevant study. I would like to see a continuum of communication before and after the exchanges. I would like to see students travel not solely for the process of classroom learning, but also through the methods of service learning within the host communities. Why couldn't an exchange student participate in the teaching process to enhance their learning as well? And wouldn't it be wonderful for the students who participated in the lower level educational student-exchange programs to be provided the opportunity to continue their experience through the upper-levels of higher education? These are only the beginning aspects of the vision.

The excitement to continue creating this concept is almost intoxicating!This will be an extremely wonderful project to create. And design evolved from the environment of inspiring individuals; one has to be thankful for an opportunitive program like Blueprints!

Every Waterfall Begins With One Drop

To foster change, one needs to have a vision; my vision can be quite grand at times. However, at this juncture in time I am taking baby steps to build the change I wish to see. It begins with myself; for how can I change any exterior variable if I do not change the ones within. So through hard work, discipline, and a creative thought process, I strive everyday to improve myself; through changing myself, I begin to change the world.

However, these are not the only actions I have taken towards being an architect of change. In past periods of my life, more time was available to me to work on issues that are significant to me.

A most favorite memory, is the involvement I have had in my efforts to assist the Sierra Club. As an environmental awareness organization, the group has offered me the opportunities to participate in phone banks, rallies, and the oh so popular Green Cruise.

An alternative to the pollution-causing Dream Cruise, the Green Cruise offers a Green Mobility Parade followed by an educational and entertaining rally! The parade allows everyone interested in participating the advantage to roller blade, bike-ride, walk, and use other green forms of transit in the parade. Completely open to the public, the organizers advocate decorating bikes, dressing up in green garb, and using one's creativity to draw attention to the cause as she/he travels the parade route. My first year was an exciting one for participation. Following such suggestions, my nephews and I adorned our bikes in flora and other forms of green detailing. Not wanting to stop there, we also fashioned signs to our bikes, and created our own green costuming. Our production was so impressive that we later made it into the Detroit Free Press as a centerpiece to the story on the Green Cruise. Later I had been told by organizers that our involvement really helped draw local media attention to the cause!

The event has become an annual favorite! With different entertainers, organizations and earth-friendly businesses growing in interest; the rally has also grown in size and spectacle! The Green Cruise is something that I look forward to helping increase in size and notoriety in years to come, and it all started out on such a small scale.

Witnessing the public interest, now the town that it takes place in has increased its green policies. All it took was a a little fun and a bike brigade to initiate these changes.

This should demonstrate that we are all capable of creating change; no matter how insignificant we think that our actions are. Every little variable is a catalyst to something else. After all, the one constant in all the universe is change; this is a concept that is beyond human control. We are incapable of stopping change, but we can always direct it.

A Little Bit About Me

An explanation as to why I have set up this blog might be the appropriate starting point. As a new student at UMD, I have recently been accepted to the Blueprints Leadership Program. This blog is part of my curriculum. However, while this activity is something new to me, I look forward to the chance to utilize this unfamiliar tool. I also hope that I may be able to make this blog an asset in my goals of facilitating social justice, and see its usefulness grow past my participation in the program.

Coming from humble origins, I am the first person of my immediate family to obtain a college degree. Not to say that my parents ever discouraged my siblings and I towards higher learning, the concept is simply something that was not emphasized growing up in a broken home. However, after a long and winding path, here I am, in the pursuit of something better for myself.

I suppose as a non-traditional student, I should explain why I finally decided to pursue higher education, and in this explanation my interest in the Blueprints Leadership Program will become clear.

For as long as I can remember, I can remember feeling a call to my existence. In my younger years, I had believed that this calling was to enhance the enlightenment of the world through art. I felt it was my purpose to open minds, and through that, break down barriers. However, all of that changed in 2001.

It was the winter following the 9-11 attacks. As I watched the media-storm rumble across my country, a simple question continued to permeate my mind. "Why would someone want to create such devastation? What did we do to motivate these people to attack us like that?" I am a firm believer in cause and effect, and I was simply unable to believe that these attacks were unprovoked. So I started to pay closer attention to the actions of my government. Before this event I was politically apathetic like many Americans; but the reverberations of the event continued to pull at me. No longer did my goals of artistic enlightenment seem substantial; now they were superficial. I began to feel a new calling, a new purpose unfold. But as ignorant as many of my countrymen, I was unprepared to make any proper judgements or take any real action towards improvement.

It was at this time I began to make the changes necessary in my own life to work towards a better future. I went back to school, worked towards my high school diploma, and then enrolled in Oakland Community College. After quite a few bumps in my road and a lot of hard work, I earned my associates degree in liberal arts, and applied to U of M Dearborn.

And here I am today; it is my first semester at UMD, and I am looking for every opportunity to develop and polish my skills towards becoming an agent of change. After I was accepted to UMD, I spent the weeks before the beginning of the semester investigating the campus. I wanted to find every advantage and resource available to enhance my college experience; through my inquiries, I learned of the Blueprints Program. I decided that the program was exactly what I needed to supplement my education; it was perfect.

I anticipate that the Blueprints Leadership program will empower me in aspects that my curriculum cannot. I expect I will observe aspects of leadership that will awaken new ideas within me. I believe I will learn to apply theories of leadership to a productive use. I hope to finish the program working in a leadership position that will allow me to help those who are unarmed to help themselves and to foster a more just world.