Response #1

1. Motive is the central element of the Divine centered Leadership Model. Please describe what motivates you to volunteer as a leader in BYUSA.

There are several things that motivate me in my work with BYUSA. I will begin by talking about what motivated me to get involved in the first place. I originally got involved when my friend Devin called and asked me to work on Chris and Sterling's campaign team. I wasn't sure what it was all about but I decided to go to one of their meetings to find out. Since Devin was Chris's roommate I had met him a few times before but I had never interacted with Sterling very much. They started off the meeting with a very inspiring spiritual message where they talked about why they decided to get involved and why they were running to President and Executive Vice-President. In that moment I was motivated to get involved just so that I could be around people like them and be a part of achieving the great vision that they had.

Over the next few weeks I worked on planning some events for their campaign week. Then campaign week came and I jumped in head on. It was so wonderful to be able to talk to many different students about BYUSA and specifically what Chris and Sterling hoped to achieve by being elected. By the end of the week I was motivated by a desire to help my fellow students to achieve a greater sense of community on campus.

Now that I am fully involved in BYUSA I am motivated by a combination of both of the aforementioned things. I love coming into the office and being surrounded by so many uplifting people. I also love the feeling that the projects I am working on may inspire students to live the Honor Code with greater zeal!

2. In the Quote that was a part of last nights discussion, Theodore Roosevelt gives credit in life to those who are “In the Arena.” Describe what you think it means to be in the Arena, and how you plan to be involved this year and throughout your lives.

Being "In the arena" involves many different aspects of our lives but in the long run it boils down to focus and priorities. When someone is acting in such a way that they are "in the arena" they have blocked out all other distractions to accomplish a task. In many of my recreation management classes we have discussed the theory of flow. Flow is a state of being where time seems to stop and a person is so engaged in an activity that nothing else around them really seems to matter. That is the ultimate version of being "in the arena" but we can also be "in the arena" without it being that intense. In another sense you are "in the arena" when you have your priorities in line.

My plan to be "in the arena" this year:
-arrive to office hours on time
-log off of the Facebook unless I'm using it for BYUSA business
-listen to PD's rather than thinking about what I will say next

My plan to be "in the arena" in life:
-don't text while having a conversation with someone
-listen, analyze, and then respond
-keep educated on topics relevant to my job so that I can continue to improve and develop the environment I am working in

3. Divine-centered leaders need to know each heart. Describe an experience you have had with a leader who has taken time to know you. How did their efforts improve your experience? How can you reach out to those you lead?

When I think of a divine-centered leader the first person who comes to mind is my best friend's mom, Becky Ray, aka Mama Ray. My first memory of her was when I was a 12 year old at girls camp. She was dressed up as the lady on the Chiquita banana commercials and was doing a little song and dance number on the stage. I became reacquainted with her when I was a sophmore in high school when I started hanging out with her son. I always enjoyed being in their home because she always took the time to talk and listen to me. Over the years my friendship with her son has faded but I've basically become a part of the family.

At the beginning of my senior year in high school my life fell apart when my parents got divorced. Mama Ray was always willing to listen to my sadness about my family. She has also always been there to laugh with me when they do crazy things too. She's also always there to remind me of what it is important in life when I slip up a bit. It's funny because I always refer to her as my best's friends mom but really she is one of my best friends in the entire world. She may be twice my age but when it comes to friendship I don't think that really matters. She's been my leader and mentor for many years now and I truly do cherish she good times we've had.

I hope that I can be to other people what Mama Ray has been to me. A constant, steady source of encouragement, correction, and love.