“The Brock Leaders Citizenship Society (brocku.ca/blcs) has been, without a doubt, my favourite aspect of Brock University. In the last few years, BLCS has provided me with the resources and opportunities with which to succeed. In addition to the leadership training and ever helpful advice from Aaron House (Manager, Student Awards and Brock Leaders Citizenship Society) and other administration, there has also been ample opportunity within BLCS to build connections with faculty and other members. This has made it extremely easy for me to get involved in a wide variety of events and clubs around campus. In fact, it is difficult for me to try and think of a single Brock club or community event with which a BLCS member, or the BLCS at large, has not been involved. In addition to the opportunities provided, there is also an ever present sense of community within our society. Our town hall meetings are always highly animated, which is impressive considering everyone?s long and often daunting schedules. If I ever have a difficult decision to make, senior BLCS members are continually among the first people I approach for advice. My experience with executive (after serving as Member at Large for two successive terms) has also been extremely positive, and I feel that it has prepared me well for future leadership endeavors. In closing, the BLCS has been an integral part of life at Brock for me, and an experience that I will not quickly forget.”

Jennifer Philpott (2nd year Business student, BLCS member):

“My involvement in the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society (brocku.ca/blcs) has been a highlight of my university career. In the BLCS, I have made fond friends, developed my network, and have given back to the community on various levels. This year has been particularly exciting for me, as I had a role on the Executive Council and co-organized a benefit concert with two other university organizations. It is my hope that the Society will continue to establish relationships with other clubs and will expand our presence at Brock as we continue to grow.

I consider it a privilege to collaborate alongside so many talented individuals who share my passion for philanthropy, and I am humbled by the recognition we receive from both the local community and those abroad. I am confident that the skills I have gained as a Brock Leader will prove invaluable in each of my future endeavours. I look forward to the future of the BLCS as we continue to make great strides and Lead the Change.”

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.- Helen Keller

In a school with over 18,500 students, sometimes you can feel lost and missing home. Many people in your life such as friends and family will offer advice to help you feel at home at Brock.  The most common message given is to get involved, but the real question is in WHAT and WHEN? The truth is, one opportunity can lead to many and what you learn from each one is essential to your university experience. It does not matter what year or program you are in, just find a way to connect with Brock and the community in a way that makes Brock YOUR home. One program that many students take and find to be beneficial in many aspects of their life is Foundations in Leadership or FiL for short. FiL is about meeting new people and building your superstar skills in a comfortable environment. Learn in a group environment where collaboration, group tasks, and discussions are the tools. It is an experiential learning opportunity that boosts your skills in your cover letter and adds certifications to your portfolio. A recent graduate said, “Completing the Bronze level in the Foundations in Leadership Practicum Series has enabled me to refine and develop new skills that are universal. Each session was unique and interactive which ultimately enhanced my listening and communication skills through the practice of verbal and nonverbal feedback. I can say without reservation that completing this level has allowed me to become more receptive in conversations.” (Stephen Amoah, recent Brock graduate, currently a Co-Founder & CFO of Career City Inc.) FiL has four levels which foster and grow the leader within you. The first level, Bronze as indicated above, helps you when communicating feedback to others and facilitating meaningful conversations. The second level, Silver, guides you through a decision making model, problem solving strategies and how to mediate conflict in a variety of situations. Gold, which is the third level, develops an understanding of group processes, roles and how to structure a group to meet common goals. The final level, Platinum, is about discovering your leadership style and refining your skills to meet objectives.  Each level introduces you to new experiences, memories and people. The practicum is designed around your time because Brock is about YOUR experience. You place your availability in a registration system and we contact you when a course runs during your availability. FiL is the perfect way to get involved because it is a 12 hour commitment which works around YOU and your schedule. You can decide to take the course once a week for 6 weeks or 3 weekends in a row. So why not take a chance and meet a diverse range of friends while building your transferable and employable skills? Start to make meaningful connections in the community and make Brock a place you are proud to call home.

Scenario One

Reality Check

What is the difference? These are fictitious stories meant to compare how similar a regular students’ life to a student whom is homeless. I recently participated in the Five Days for the Homeless event hosted by Brock’s Business students. I heard many stereotypical remarks, like those in the first story, which challenged me to rethink my views. I also heard very heart touching and enlightening stories that reconfirmed some of my personal values. One particular story came from a friend’s mom whom works as a professor at Sheridan College. She wished that more students knew how prevalent homelessness really is. She has better understanding of this problem and every year she teachers homeless students who are trying to better themselves but are unable to afford it. In juxtaposition, there are students who complain how they cannot afford to go out on weekends but take for granted the roof over their head. Others complain they cannot head downtown to check out the new restaurant but take for granted the full cupboards at home.

There are many local and international problems in this world, and as young people we need to take a stand for what we believe is right. By participating in Five Days not only did I make some amazing friends, I took part in changing the stereotypical image of homelessness, raised awareness, and challenged myself to survive in a new situation. I also learned two important lessons that I encourage my fellow Brock students to follow. First, next time you pass another student, offer a pleasant smile or hello. You never really know if one day those strangers will become your friend, or what challenges they face.  Second, I encourage students here at Brock to engage in more volunteer opportunities because you’ll never really know the incredible benefits until you do.

I really was a nobody when I first started at Brock.

In my opinion, I’ve been pretty successful in my university career.  I’ve passed all my classes, I’ve made a lot of friends, I’ve held a job for 3 years, and I even took a shot at running for a VP position in the past BUSU elections.  So when I take a step back to look at it all, it seems silly that this kid could go out and meet 500 people he would consider friends.  I mean, the odds were against him; he was Asian, he was scrawny, he wasn’t overly outgoing, and he wasn’t even old enough to drink.  The story I’m about to tell is about the pivotal point in my university career.

Let’s back track to first year, 2009, when I first started at Brock University.  I had left all my friends to go to a university in a city I had never been to, and with people I had never met.  I remember being extremely nervous, but I think that actually helped me.  It forced me to go out and meet people.  Those were the days when I did some crazy stuff; pushing 2 grocery carts up Glenridge Hill to make a Halloween Cool Runnings costume, using the central vac to clear up a lady bug infestation…

And then there were the house parties.  Boy, were there a lot.

After all the dust had settled from first year, and all the residence damages were paid off, I figured that I should do some volunteer work.  I had been involved throughout high school and wanted to continue that trend, so I applied to be a SWAT (Student Welcoming and Awareness Team) leader for O-Week 2010.  I thought I had the necessary skills, and experience to do a great job at it, but the hiring committee did not.  They, for lack of a better word, rejected me, and that rejection is the turning point of my university career.

It was the rejection that lit a fire under me, and convicted me to go out and prove that committee wrong.  I started by registering as a regular O-Week volunteer, and applying to be a member of the BUSU Street Team (marketing and promotions).  During O-Week, I was insistent on working more hours than any of the SWAT leaders, and under no circumstances, using the free meal coupons they gave the volunteers.   Needless to say, I achieved both goals.

Shortly after, I started my graphic design work with BUSU, and have been beyond pleased with my 3 year tenure there.  Over that time, I’ve been fortunate enough to work for Canada’s best student bar, do designs for O-Week, and work for an organization that represents over 17,000 students.  I’ve learned so much from my experiences outside the classroom, and here are a few I would like to pass on to you:

• There’s much more than meets the eye.  [The people on the hiring committee that rejected me weren’t so bad after all… (Curt is even one of my best friends)]
•  There are awesome people doing amazing things around the university, who are dying to meet you; and all you have to do is cross paths.
• Think more of what could go right, instead of what could go wrong (no problems, just solutions).  Think positive.
• Always believe in yourself, and have the confidence to stand up for what you believe in.  (This is something I learned only recently; during my experience with the BUSU elections.)

My only regret about my experience at Brock is that I didn’t get involved sooner.  I remember telling myself that I just wanted to enjoy my first year, but I kind of let it coast by.  I feel like I could have met so many more people, and done so many extra things if I had started getting involved 8 months earlier than I did.  I know this might sound cliché to you, but university truly isn’t only about that piece of paper you get at the end.  Just as important are the relationships you build during that time.  These people might become your friends for life, they might teach you a valuable lesson, they might even become your future husband or wife (don’t laugh, I’ve seen it happen!).

I encourage all of you to embrace opportunity and possibility in every situation, and to approach everything with a work ethic that would prove your doubters wrong.  Step out of your comfort zone and face rejection with a smile; approach the 10’s at bars, and have the courage to act like the person you want to be!

Thanks for reading.  Till next time, Badgers!  Stay classy!

Jasp

2 quotes that help me every single day:

“When you set your mind to something and you want it as bad as you want to breathe then you will be successful. “

Just a few ways to get involved around Brock:

BUSU Clubs, Mentorship Plus, SLIC, Volunteering, Residence Action Council

Serendipity- finding something rewarding that has not been sought for. When you go in with no expectations, it opens the door to experiences beyond imagination. When you go in unexpected, you void any biases that can be associated. When you go in without any predispositions, you come out with more than you could expect. This is what and how I learned on the Alternative Reading Break trip to El Salvador with Habitat for Humanity.

It was extremely serendipitous to discover so much about what I want and don’t want out of life. The physical demand of the Habitat build coupled with the unforgiving heat resonated with me and I can’t imagine spending reading week any other way. Developing relationships with fellow Brock students and the locals is indescribable. It is one of those things where you just have to be there. No words can describe the experience and new perspective on life I’ve gained from this trip. I probably gained more from this trip than what they got from us.

We went down to help build a house but I didn’t realize the impact the family, masons and translators had left me with until it was time to say “¡hasta luego!” They inadvertently changed my life and I hope I made a difference in theirs. This trip has challenged my interest and curiosity in continuing my endeavor to explore new cultures. It has left me feeling nostalgic and hungry to explore my potential. I strongly believe life is all about creating opportunities because no one gets the road map to their life. At the end of the day, happiness is our own responsibility.

During orientation week at Brock as a first year student, many of the people I talked to spoke of the passport program. With just a swipe of my student card I was entered to win prizes… but that’s not all, the program encouraged me to go to more events and participate in more activities. The Passport program helped me to meet new people and learn about the opportunities at Brock, making my first week a TRUE orientation.

Throughout the year I was able to connect with the Passport program and because of it I had incentive to attend events like job fairs and information stands with different police forces for example.  With the Passport program, not only would I have not gone to these sessions, but I would not have KNOWN about them either. As a child I wanted to be a police officer, so you can imagine how this experience made me think back to my old dreams, and get information on how I could make them a reality. The Passport program has enabled me to make the most of my experience at Brock University!

Cheers, Dixon

Brock University’s Passport program has been an awesome program encouraging my friends and I to participate in activities throughout campus during first year. At many events, there is an area to swipe your student card. We thought it was an interesting idea to show us how many events we could attend.

The event that stands out for me was the annual grape stomp. This was an amazing experience where I had the opportunity to share some fun with my new friends. This event happened near the end of September, so we all knew each other by name, but we were still shy. The event caused the shyness to dissolve and allowed us to have fun and play. At this event, which was held in Jubilee Courtyard, there were tons of upper year students, baskets of grapes, and tarps all over the grass.  Going to the event, none of us really knew what to expect other than the fact that we would be required to squish grapes, in honor of the grape culture in the Niagara Region. When we got to the courtyard, we handed in our forms and then swiped in at the Passport tent. Then we all found a tarp together. When the organizers said, “Go!”, I dumped the grapes on the tarp and started to step on them. It was the weirdest feeling, having the grapes squish under my feet. Before long everyone else joined in. Once we started to squish the grapes grape juice was everywhere! Of course, I was the first one to fall and get grapes all over me. My friends thought it would be a good idea to start to cover me with grapes which started the “grape war.”  We were throwing the grapes, rubbing them into people’s hair or shirts, and sliding in it. It was a great feeling to relive my carefree childhood.

That day, the bond between my friends and I grew and became stronger. I think this is what all the Passport events are trying to do, create a stronger bond between new and old friends. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter who swiped into the most number of events, it’s the experience, friendships, and memories that come out of these Passport events that are important.

I hate grapes! They are sticky and messy and if you leave then out too long they turn into shriveled little old people. Who wants a fruit like that, oh wait? BROCK DOES! Every year Brock holds an annual Grape Stomp to celebrate the region’s wine industry. Students squish and squash a field of grapes to celebrate in a way everyone can enjoy. Ever wonder who is in charge of events like this around campus? Well, it’s Student Life and Community Engagement (SLCE) of course! They hold events year round that promote spirit, community and leadership recording everyone’s involvement through passport participation. All the events I have attended from Brock Cares Day of service, guest speakers and campus concerts and parties are kept track by the swipe of my student card. Plus, there are prizes and promotional activities that keep you coming out for more. It is so easy to be part of the ‘in-crowd’ at Brock! I might only a first year, but that hasn’t stopped me from getting to know my school. I’ve met so many friends and have lasting memories because of what Brock has to offer. Whether you’re interested in being part of a club, sports, music or volunteering, Brock students are always shining and our spirit is never shy! We have such a strong community and every event shows how students are proud to be Brock Badgers! So whether it’s your hate.. or your love for grapes, your passion for sports or music or if you want to meet new people you will find events that fit your interests. As a Brock student, you are in the right place to get involved and just a swipe away from everything that Passport participation has to offer!

I’m looking forward to the competition!

-Brianne Della Savia

Sign up in the DeCew residence dining hall or contact Brendon Orian (bo11pv@brocku.ca) or Cassandra Walls (cw11dd@brocku.ca) for any questions.

Starting on Tuesday find us in Market and the DeCew dining hall to share why you love Brock. Look for us on Wednesday in Isaac’s and Lowenberger dining hall, and Thursday in Mackenzie Chown! Show us how much you love Brock by wearing Brock gear and receive free candy and hot chocolate on Thursday and Friday.

You can also tell us why you love Brock via Twitter and Facebook. Join our Facebook event “I Love Brock Week” and use the hashtag #IloveBrock to submit your reasons for loving Brock and show your spirit!