THE ATENEO Consultants for Organization Development and Empowerment (Code) organized its fourth youth leadership seminar, OD (Organizational Development) on Overdrive, on January 24 at the Ateneo Grade School (AGS) grounds.
According to Code member Katrina Chan, organizational development refers to the “study of helping organizations make their systems more efficient, effective, and sustainable.”
The Ateneo Code is an organization involved in issues of organization development or the structural improvement of its clients, as well as the empowerment of youth and youth-oriented organizations.
An estimate of 770 high school students from both public and private schools participated in the event, with 350 students being pledge for. Pledged students were given financial assistance from donors to be able to participate in the event.
According to Project Head Kaye Yap, the focus of the seminar was “transformational leadership.”
“When you [mention] change to student leaders, [they’ll think] that it’s such a big word. Matatakot [sila], kasi it’s such a big responsibility. (They might be intimidated because it’s such a big responsibility),” Yap said.
“What we tried to do was to get that [mindset] and bring it down to [the students] for them to digest and let them know that they can make change happen,” she added.
The students were separated into breakout sessions in the morning, and assembled back at the AGS covered courts in the afternoon. The event culminated in a talent show by the students and an awards ceremony.
A separate program, facilitated by Code Moderator Benjamin Baretto and former Code member Mike Jallorina, was also held for the teachers of the high school students where they were informed of proper engagement with student leaders.
Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Founder Jay Jaboneta also gave a lecture to the participants in the development of one’s vision.
The Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation is a national organization that aids public schools across the country in sourcing equipment for its students.
Positive change
According to Yap, the event is a step in preparing the youth in initiating positive change within their communities.
OD on Overdrive was divided into four modules, or Structured Learning Experiences: Situational Awareness, Systems Thinking, Communicating Your Vision, and Goal Setting.
She said that each of these modules develop specific skills in the students in order to become more effective leaders.
“All of these kids, they would have problems in their own schools, or in their own lives. Sometimes, there’s this simplistic view of the problem…Systems Thinking is there to help them try to see everything in another perspective, and look at the problem at all angles,” Yap said of the second module.
She further said that the students themselves have reacted positively to the modules in the event.
“We’ve been receiving a lot of messages [on our social media sites], and a lot of [these] have positive feedback, showing how much the participants have learned from our modules,” she said.
She said that the introduction of the principles of organizational development helps in honing the talents of the students.
Updated on Jan. 28, 2015 at 9:17 PM
Greetings!
We are from the Young Women’s Christian Association of Far Eastern University. Our organization is, fully inclusive of age, faith, creed and status using collective women power for social change and transformation. The organization aims to develop women and girl volunteers to achieve Human Rights, Health, Security, Dignity, Freedom, Justice, and Peace for all people. This year, FEU YWCA would extend their hands to participate with their full potential to TOUCH LIVES – TOday, United in CHanging Lives.
In celebration of the International Women’s Month, we will conduct a three-day event in FEU on March 11 to 13, 2015. The second day of the celebration would focus on nurturing the LEADERSHIP skills of YOUNG WOMEN today. May we request your team preferably the female members to conduct a leadership seminar on the said date to be attended by the FEU Female Students for them to gain more knowledge in boosting up their leadership skills and potentials and to be great leaders today to help them to stand out in the society.
We are hoping for a favorable response.
Thank you and God bless!
Respectfully yours,
Minette Macalintal
YWCA-FEU Chapter, Executive Secretary
Contact details (09168589879)