Final Compilation

Hey Everyone!

I've been reflecting on my experience all day and want to write down a final reflection of my experience.

One aspect of the NODA conference that I have yet to blog about would be the Roli program, more specifically, the mentor groups. I was in Shannon Green's group and I had 4 other student leaders with me. We initially talked about why we attended the program and I found that all of the students except me were seeking a career in Student Affairs. Instead of making something up I told the truth, I was there because I wanted to help develop my leadership abilities and even though I wasn't seeking a career in Student Affairs I knew I could apply the knowledge I acquire through this experience to my own career goal, to have my own acupuncture practice. Teamwork, communication, and facilitation skills are universal throughout all work environments and developing my skills can only prepare me to be better-suited for what's to come.

I have drawn many similarities between our orientation program and the orientation program at Roger Williams University. I can't really remember the name of the girl in my group from there but I know she looked like a "Mary" so I'll call her that (even though if I said any form of Caitlin or Megan I would probably be right due to the sheer number of them in the program).

It was a great feeling to be able to open up to my group members and ask any questions I had. We were able to help each other out by giving advice on how we approached a situation if they asked questions starting with "Do you guys ever have trouble with.....?" or "Have you ever evperienced.......?" It was an amazingly supportive environment and even when the ROLI program was over we still found familiar faces in the following sessions and it felt like we were members of a secret club, kinda dorky sounding, I know.

As the conference went on I remember being able say "hey.. we do that!" Which was awesome because it meant that we were on the right track. I don't think I ever got completely used to everyone actually understanding 'Orientaton Speak' and being able to have indepth conversations about different aspects of their programs. I definitely feel like we are on the right track and Meg and I found some new activities and sessions to integrate into the program to help address topics in a new ways.

I am still singing the camp chants that we learned during the icebreaker forum, to the dismay of my suitemates, haha. Perhaps I'll even regale people in OSIL with a stunning rendition of "Boom chica boom" :-) tomorrow during my office hours. Only time will tell!

DELAYED

So it's proving a bit more challenging to get home than we initially thought...

Our flight has been cancelled and we need to be put on another flight which leaves Ithaca at 6:20pm.

So to kill time I am reading the descriptions of my strengths from the strengthfinder test. It told me that I like to use official-sounding words that are often intricate and difficult to understand. It makes sense but I always rationalize that tendency by saying that I'm 'looking for precisely the right words'. Since I use big words I assert an air of authority where people do no often qujestion my decisions. I think that's a good and a bad thing. I really want to build a rapport with the staff where they can question me and just as why so they don't feel intimidated to come up to me.

These descriptions are extremely accurate and I can definitely benefit from learning how to interact and work with others more effectvely.

Seeing as I'm an intellect I guess I'm just using this time to ruminate on my thoughts and just figure them all out in my head. Quiet contemplation is keeping me from impending realization that I may not be able to make my 8am tomorrow. Not good.

I'll study while I wait. haha

I wouldn't want to be on that plane anyways, its having mechanical difficulties and even when it running properly it was still quite a roller coaster ride at times.

The conference was definitely worth it though, even though I only went to one session today I got some good great idea

Operation: Information Acquisition under way

So Meg and I have just finished our day and have successfully graduated from the ROLI program. This morning, before we graduated, we talked about Diversity and Ethics and it was definitely a more indepth discussion than yesterday. They weren't my favorite sessions but they definitely reaffirmed that our Orientation Program is on the right track with BEAR and diversity training. We did very good exercises and I really want to integrate them into our program, maybe as a prelude to BEAR to get others to think outside the box so they can get more out of the BEAR session. During the ethics training we did an exercise reminiscent of our Social Barometer exercise but it was more geared towards whether given situations were ethical or unethical. There were some very good points and it ended in us addressing scenarios.

Meg and I did not expect to have the ROLI program keep us from 3 Sessions but we were able to attend the icebreakers forum as well as a leadership session where were brain stormed about how to achieve the 5 ways to be an effective leader. I stole a few ideas about morale boosting and motivation of staff that Meg and I are interested in also using this coming orientation.

Last night I finally completed the strengths finder test and for all those who have not heard, I am: Input, Intellection, Learner, Analytical, Achiever
I had to laugh when I read the descriptions because the descriptions are so.... me! haha

Mission: Arrive Safely!

Well, we made it alive. Mission: survive plane ride alive... complete! It was a quick trip to New York City. We had to go from one end of the terminal to the other but we made it in no time. Then we made friends with someone who was going to Ithaca, too. He's a student here!

We boarded our flying bus (yes, it was that small) and waited....and waited. We left about 45 minutes late! Not so pleasant. The flight was pretty quick. Meg and Melani had some lovely commentary on the descent that was less than smooth. It was like a really rickety roller coaster. Oh well! The regional airport is approximately half the size of the Bridgewater Campus Center. For those readers not familiar with BSC, the airport is smaller than the length of a football field and looks like an elementary school!

Our shuttle was there to pick us up and bring us to our lovely hotel! The hotel is quite nice! We settled in and grabbed lunch down the street at College Town Bagels The sandwiches were enough to feed and army so we brought the leftovers back.

Meg and Melani have started the ROLI program and I'm about to go meet the Case Study Coordinator to get a few things situated and then present the Case Study program to the ROLI students.

That's it for now.

Meg and Melani should be posting about their experience sometime tonight! Stay tuned!

Meg and Melani on the little plane to Ithaca

View from my Hotel room


My hotel room!

Mission: NODA

Hello Everyone!

We are safely at Logan Airport. After a rainy ride from Bridgewater with our driver Joe and a short yet complicated wait at security, we are sitting in the comfy airport chairs and waiting for our plane to arrive. We will be flying to NYC (Laguardia airport) for a quick layover and hopping into a puddle jumper (aka tiny airplane with 10 rows....eeeek) to head to Ithaca.

I am very excited about heading to NODA Regional in Ithaca at Cornell! It's going be great to meet other professionals, grad students, and orientation leaders and coordinators! I'm convinced Meg and Melani are going to be rockstars in the ROLI program (Regional Orientation Leaders Institute). I am lucky enough to be taking the place of one Christina McCauley and helping out with the undergraduate Case Study Competition. I'm a bit nervous, but I know it will be a good volunteer experience.

That's about it for now! Stay tuned for exciting news from me, Meg and Melani!

Happy Friday!