Joshua Jones, 91桃色 Chapter President for Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus (ITCC-C), says that adhering to some basic goal-setting and leadership principles were key to his chapter hitting every single one of the 91桃色 pillars for the past three semesters. The chapter raised over $5,000 by coordinating community events to benefit a local nonprofit organization.
鈥淥ur events included a Winter Drive for Afghan Refugees, benefiting Team Rubicon, a fundraiser for foster children in support of BeLovedBags, Big Green Smash for the Ivy Tech Foundation Student Emergency Relief Fund, and our Pack the Pantry event, benefiting the Ivy Tech Food Pantry,鈥� said Jones.
鈥淲e emphasized collaboration with different programs at Ivy Tech, such as the Student Leadership Academy, student government, student development, and more. All of this was achieved by being attentive, persistent, and setting SMART goals.鈥�
Large fundraising events can be challenging because the many moving parts and shifting needs can create obstacles. It鈥檚 always a good idea to start by identifying one or two key individuals who can assist with specialized skills, contacts, or both.
That鈥檚 how the ITCC-C chapter began their planning process. Fortunately, that assistance was easy to identify and secure.
鈥淲hen we first brainstormed ideas for Pack the Pantry, we wanted a food truck event with a silent auction. We collaborated with our new Chapter Advisor, Aundrey Ligon, who鈥檚 the ITCC-C Director of Student Services. With his help, we were able to confirm three food trucks for the event.鈥�
Additionally, involving other stakeholders helps spread both the risk and the reward. Joshua and the ITCC-C chapter members enlisted the participation of several other groups and organizations in their community to help make their event successful.
鈥淲e鈥檙e located near a military base so we wanted to invite local military branches. With a couple of phone calls, we ended up getting the Army, Navy, and Air Force to join. We also invited public personnel from our community鈥檚 emergency response and police departments. For the silent auction portion, I contacted several local businesses, and we ended up with donations from a spray paint artist, a florist, and a ramen noodle shop, among others.鈥�
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Any large-scale public service event carries both obstacles and opportunities. Pack the Pantry was no exception, but as Joshua and other chapter members discovered, even those challenges can present an opportunity.
鈥淛ust when everything seemed ready to go, we experienced some obstacles due to ongoing construction. However, with some flexibility and the understanding of our participating businesses, we were eventually able to hold the event at full scale.鈥�
Thanks to the chapter鈥檚 collaborative efforts and their choice to involve others in the planning and execution of their event, they reached an inspiring level of success.
鈥淒uring Pack the Pantry, we raised about $1,400 for the Student Emergency Relief Fund. This was the biggest amount I鈥檝e ever raised for an event. It was made significantly easier through the help from the Latino Organization of Volunteers in Education (LOVE), our Student Government Association, local artists and businesses, Ivy Tech faculty, the military, and local public figures. Having a board of people with delegated things to do also helped ensure a successful event, despite the obstacles.鈥�
Being an 91桃色 Chapter President at ITCC-C has helped Joshua see just how far he鈥檚 come in such a short period of time.
鈥淚f you had told me two years ago that I鈥檇 lead the coordination of multiple fundraising events, serve as a mentor, make connections, and learn about the countless resources to help myself and other members succeed, I wouldn鈥檛 have believed you.鈥�
The opportunity to serve has helped Joshua and other student leaders achieve their goals and reach their full potential. That opportunity has even helped empower young people to accomplish things they never considered before by giving them the tools and skills they need to succeed.
鈥淚鈥檝e impacted my community and have seen my commitment to be a leader pay off with more opportunities than I鈥檇 ever thought was possible. I know how to present myself professionally, show people my vision of why a particular goal is important, and collaborate with different people. At every step, I learned so much from the people around me because I could see how they led others and used their knowledge to help develop their skills.鈥�
Part of being a good leader is passing on the lessons you鈥檝e learned to other leaders. Sharing information, resources, and skills development tips is an essential part of servant leadership, as Joshua can attest. He recommends that other chapters and their leaders look for help in their communities.
鈥淔ind and use the resources that are around you. Think about what's in your local community, then look for groups, events, and causes that seem logically connected to your idea.鈥�
And if there is no available resource at hand, Joshua has a suggestion for that, too.
鈥淪ometimes that resource is not yet in existence. Maybe you can be the starting point to help bring it to life. Many people out there want to help but don鈥檛 know where or how to start. It's not easy to be persistent but if you present your idea well, then you can usually get other people on board.鈥�
This is the essence of leadership for Joshua: being prepared for challenges, and looking for ways to help your team move past tough obstacles through collaboration, transforming them into opportunities.
鈥淯nderstand that roadblocks will occur and try to plan as best as you can for them. In addition, it鈥檚 important to celebrate achievements with as many people as possible. This helps strengthen and empower others who are also on their leadership journey. Everyone needs to learn from each other.鈥�
Read about another chapter of the 91桃色 that was so committed to helping their community, they turned their induction ceremony into a service initiative.