Fishbowl Discussion: Defining Your Communities

Last week, during our Bonner Meeting, we engaged in activity entitled, "Fishbowl Discussions" in order to define our own communities. Prior to the discussion, we established the definition and description of what a community encompasses.

"A community can be any group of individuals or families working toward a common goal. A community may include, but is not limited to, a town, a city, a neighborhood, an office, an industry, a profession, a school, a religion, a corporation, a geographic or a political entity. People live in communities. But the real importance of 'living in community' is that people - and groups of people - develop the ways and means to care for each other, to nurture the talents and leadership that enhance the quality of community life, and to tackle the problems that threaten the community and the opportunities which can help it."

The fishbowl exercise allowed us the opportunity to look deep inside a community that we may not find ourselves a part of. We are on the outside looking in. Often times this causes mis-understandings and mis-interpretations. Yet after getting a deeper look into the community you may have found yourself opening up your minds and changing your opinions on how you will choose to act towards that particular community. With our discussion in mind, I ask that you reflect and answer two of the following questions:

1. What, if anything, will you change about yourself because of the fishbowl activity?

2. Do you ever wish you did not belong to a community of which you are a member? Why?

3. What did you learn by listening to those who were discussing their communities?

4. For those who discussed their communities, what was the hardest part about sharing your experience?

Everyone Answer: As a Bonner you most likely will be placed into an entirely new community of people who might seem like an unlikely match. Please explain the community at your service site...explain your mis-understandings of that community...and explain the various ways which you can relate and continue to relate to your particular community.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The arrival of January 2009 brings with it a year of hope and change, particularly for the nation and world. We are only two weeks away from Inaugurating our 44th President of the United States into the Oval Office. However, this year is especially special for many Americans and non-Americans seeing as President-elect Obama will become the first African-American President of the United States of America. Sentimentally-speaking, Obama will be sworn into office just one day after the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. One can't help but to reflect on the words and wisdom of Martin Luther King, feeling encouraged to see how far we have come as a Nation. However, the road is long and hard and we must not forget what people like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks were fighting for. Below are some famous quotes by King. Please take the time to reflect on these quotes and share how these statements are still relevant (or less relevant) today.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.

A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defence than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.

Giving: The Spirit of the Holidays

"We, who have so much, must do more to help those in need. And most of all, we
must live simply, so that others may simply live."

- Ed Begley, Jr. -

With Thanksgiving only a week away, combined with a month-long discussion on poverty, I feel my heart singing bittersweet melodies. While I feel so abundantly blessed, I can't help but to be reminded of the hundreds of people in our very own community who do not know how they will pay their bills, do not know where their next meal will come from and can see nothing but darkness ahead. It is during the holidays that I, as well as the rest of our nation, seem to feel guilty about neglacting the poor, the brokenheartened, the imprisoned, the needy. In the midst of food drives, soup kitchens, coat drives and gift-giving, I stop to think how unfare it is that so many people in our own backyard must suffer year after year, only to feel a glimpse of relief one month out of the year. Now don't get me wrong, I understand that there are hundreds of reasons why people are living in poverty, and anything we as humanity can do is a blessing! We need to continue our enthusiasm for food drives, and coat drives, and unexpected gifts all year round! It just continually blows my mind that we, as America, can be one of the richest countries alive (even in an economic crisis) and sill have "third-world cities" living in our midst. I suppose that is why Ed Begley Jr's quote resognates so true within my soul. That we must live simply, so others might simply live. As I begin this holiday season, I hope to remind myself of this over and over again. What does it mean for we, as Americans, to live simply so that those people who are brokenhearted, poor, hungery, homeless, forgotten... might simply live?

Become A Bonner!

Bluefield College is one of only 75 schools in the nation that offers the AmeriCorps Bonner Leader Program. The mission of the Bonner Leader Program is to transform the lives of students and members, the life of their campuses, local communities, and the world, through service and leadership. This prestigious scholarship program is available to only FOUR students each academic year. Students who are accepted into the program will be required to complete 900 hours of community service over a two-year period. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a $2,362.50 educational award to be used toward college expenses. Not only does the program provide financial benefits, but it provides academic and leadership opportunities as well. Students who participate will begin to explore deep social issues that effect the world we live in each and every day. They will have hands-on experiences at their service sites of choice, which often times prepares them for the work-force as well. The benefits for the students and the community are endless! Join the Bonner Leader movement and become a part of something bigger than yourselves!