CGI U: Opening Plenary

The opening plenary was a panel discussion which included Lance Armstrong, President Clinton, Brittany Cochran (a graduate student from Xavier), and the president of Cornell University - David Skorton. The title of the session was: Working Together - Students and Universities Take the Lead on Global Challenges. It was an interesting session targeted to getting students and school administrations to understand some of the processes and nuances of getting an organization or idea into action.

Lance spoke about his experience of getting Livestrong started and how it has grown into what it is today. Brittany talked about her experience of getting her environmental group started at her school of around 2000 people and the challenges that occurred along the way. Finally, David spoke about the support his college gives its students and the what his school has done for starting some new and interesting programs on its campus.

Each speaker brought something interesting and unique to the table. It was an interesting dynamic and I could see the value of what each was speaking about. President Clinton tried to urge everyone in attendance to think about the possibility of each school creating its own branded NGO to help combat global issues. An organization where students and faculty worked together to come up with new and interesting solutions to some of the worlds most pressing matters. While I see some value in such a situation, I also see it being difficult to sell to the student population. I know on the Laurier campus that hundreds of general interest groups are present on the campus and if the administration were to create its own and aim its support for that particular cause, it might create some conflict with these other groups. It makes sense in terms of set up and having the blend of student and professor working on the same cause and solution, but I also see the issue with just such a set up.

In terms of setting up a campus NGO, if this is something of interest to any of you readers, I urge you to look for an already established organization either already working on your campus, or not yet there, and help them to either grow or establish themselves on the campus. The sheer amount of worthy causes out there makes it easy to find something that matches your unique values, and which can use your support. If you are more ambitious and want to start your own organization then all the power to you. If you feel passionate about doing such a thing then do your research. There are plenty of valuable resources available. Each campus is different for setting up a club or group, so consult your student affairs or union group and make sure you understand the process. It is easy to have an idea and think about making it a reality. It is far more difficult to make it a reality, to come up with the time and energy required. I urge anyone to pour their hearts into a cause, to provide their skills and energy to something bigger than themselves. It will show you things about yourself you never knew existed. You will learn things about yourself that you never thought you could do, that you never thought you could accomplish.

A funny thing will happen when you wear your passion on your sleeve: people will join in. Everyone is looking for passion and when you have it people instantly want to be apart of it in hopes that it somehow rubs off on them. When you show your passion for a cause, and go through the work to do something about it, you instantly become a light tower for others. Your efforts will cause other people to put in effort. That is what leadership is about. It isn't about being in a position of power, it is about allowing other people to show the best parts of themselves, to allow them to rise out of the depths of apathy and make a difference. Lance, Brittany, and David are leaders in every sense of the word. Be a leader and let others see your passion.