[11594] in APO-L
New Topic!
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Sean Stapleton)
Mon Feb 27 22:50:41 1995
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 1995 21:50:00 -0600
Reply-To: Sean Stapleton <seans@SEAS.SMU.EDU>
From: Sean Stapleton <seans@SEAS.SMU.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L%PURCCVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
Hi! I'm Sean Stapleton, an active brother from Southern Methodiost
University here in Dallas, TX. What follows is courtesy of Breakaway- an
Alternative Spring Break site-bank, lobbying organization, idea-factory,
advocate, what-have-you. (brakaway@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu) It was presented
to me at a site-leader training seminar hosted recently at SMU, and it
really struck a chord with me. So, I decided to subject all of you to it.
"It" is called 'The Alternative Break Continuum' and no one claims it is
definitive, perfect or right. It does make you think.
Here goes . . .
"Member" -> Takes care of self.
Ordinary Person in a community.
Concerned with his/her own survival and well being.
Not concerned about his/her role in social problems.
"Volunteer" -> Takes care of self and is generally aware of and disturbed
by social problems.
Gives time to volunteer.
Well-intentioned but not well-educated about social issues.
"Concientious
Citizen" -> Takes care of self and has mature understanding of
social problems.
Concerned about discovering root causes; asks why?
Educated and thoughtful.
"Active
Citizen" -> Takes care of self and takes concrete steps towards long-
term solutions to social problems.
The community becomes a priority in values and life choices.
Educated, thoughtful, and action-oriented.
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RFD: 1) Is this a valid breakdown of societal elements? If so . . .
2) Where do you fit in?
3) Your chapter?
4) Alpha Phi Omega?
5) What does Alpha Phi Omega do to move it's brothers further along
the continuum?
6) What should we do to move ourselves further along?
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Confession:
1) Yes, or pretty darned close.
2) volunteer/con citizen. I am (well?)educated and thoughtful
I give my time, I ask Why? I do not have a MATURE understanding
of social problems.
3) The people in my chapter? Near me, some further along some not so.
My chapter in general? My chapter is a volunteer. It donates
lots of time, but doesn't really make an effort to educate
itself (it's brothers) about social issues.
4) Alpha Phi Omega (my opinion) is about where I am ... reasonably
educated, thoughtful, asks why about some things, gives time,
5) Makes some effort to educate it's brothers about root causes.
Does Not take concrete steps toward long-term solutions
Is Not truly Action-Oriented (are we?) The community is not
a true priority in values and life choices.
6) More than we do. Shouldn't we? What can we do to teach ourselves
more about root causes? To move our brothers further toward
an active role in long-term solutions?
Obviously 4,5 and 6 are the controversial questions. It is these areas where I
am fuzziest. Let's talk about it! Also, there is a certain tone to this
continuum which seems to de-value volunteerism. Clearly we perform valueable
services as volunteers. HOWEVER, they are in certain ways, in many situations,
Band-aids which, while extremely important, do not address ROOT causes.
That's my preliminary thoughts on the matter. Now you. . . THINK ABOUT IT!
In Leadership, Friendship and Service
Sean!.!
First in Texas! -|- Alpha Omicron Chapter -|- "We Rule the World!"
AO 1038 - 11/16/91 -|- LM 15311 - 4/19/93 -|- seans@seas.smu.edu
