1. Reflection 7/Competencies
Inclusion
An inclusiveorganizationisone inwhicheverymemberfeelsvalued,understood,andaccepted
by others.Thisdoesnotmean,however,thatthere isalack of diversityordifferentperspectivesinthe
room.Rather, everyone istreatedwithrespectandgiventime toshare theirownopinions,withoutfear
of beingputdownbyothermembersof the organization.
SAAYpracticesinclusivityweeklybyallowingmemberstoshare theirideasinsmall groupsand
thenas whole group.We are alsoinclusive intermsof allowing studentsthatare NOTSlavicto take part
inSAAY.We are proudto SAAY(pun ) that the ethnicbackgroundsof our membersrange from
SerbiantoBulgarianto RussiantoUkrainianto CzechoslovakiantoWhite.Overthe years,we wouldlove
to add future membersof otherkindsof ethnicdiversitiesaswell!
Self-understanding
Beingself-aware aboutoneself meansknowingone’sstrengthsandweaknesses.Throughself-
understanding,one canemphasize one’sstrengthsandlessonthe effectof one’sweaknessesby
delegatingcertaintaskstoothersthathave strengthsinthat area.Throughthis,tasks can be completed
to the maximumcapacity,witheveryone enjoyingthe workthattheyare doing.
SAAY’sExecutive Board isgreatat delegatingtasksinsucha manner.Duringone of our Eboard
meeting,we admittedourweaknessestoone anotherandexpressedwhichcommittee we wouldlike to
be advisorsfor.We are flexible withone another.Forexample,if the VPbecame anadvisorfora
particularcommittee,butwouldlike toswitchtoanothercommittee the nextquarter,thenthe Eboard
listenstowhyandtriesto make arrangementsthatwouldbetteraccommodate the strengthsand
weaknessesof the VPinorderto increase the efficiencyof the organization.
Helping Others
Helpingothersmeanscaringforthe individualneedsof the members,inadditiontothe needs
of the organization.Itmeansbeingable tobuildlong-lastingfriendshipswithyourmembersbeyond
simplythe professionalrelationshipthatyoualreadyhave inthe organization.Itmeansbeing
encouragingandmotivatingintimesof distress,butitalsomeansthatyou have a shouldertoleanonif
youare goingthroughsomethingyourself.
SAAYtrulybelievesunitingthe SlavicDaviscollege communityandotherstogetherasone
family. We have beenthere toencourage Tina(Treasurer),whose momhascancer.We have beenthere
to offereachotherrides,payfor eachother’smeals,aswell aswisheachother,“HappyBirthday.”As
one family,we believe inthisverse,“Twoare betterthan one because they have a good return for
theirlabor. For ifeitherof them falls,the one will liftup his companion.But woe to the one who falls
whenthere isnot anotherto lifthim up.” Ecclesiastes4:10
Empowerment
Empoweringone’smembersmeansencouragingthemtobe future leadersof the organization.
It goesbeyondsimplyopeningExecutive Boardorchair positions.Empowermentmeanssettingthe

2. expectationshighforyourmembers,settingthe example first,aswell asbelievinginthemthattheycan
achieve them.
SAAYhas definitelysetthe standardhighforour members,consideringthatthis2015-2016
school yearis the firstyearof itsexistence.Some expectationswe hadof ourmemberswere mandatory
attendance (canonlymiss2x), $25 membershipfees annually,the necessitytohost1 event bythe end
of the quarter,as well asgive speechestoapplyforany positionif theyare interested.Byempowering
the membersof the SlavicAssociation,we hope tomature ourmembersintobecomingthe Ambitious
Youth thatwe aspire themtobe! 