Boy Scouts: Servant Leadership Analysis

Servant leadership as a leadership philosophy was first defined by Robert K. Greenleaf. He described servant leaders as those who achieve results for their organizations by attending to the needs of those they serve. A nurse servant leader looks to the needs of his/her staff and continually asks how they can help them solve problems and promote their personal development. The manager described by my neighbor as a servant leader worked with her staff to help them meet the needs of patients, while coaching them in their professional practice. The ability to provide service is their primary motivator for seeking a leadership role.

Adults have the bad habit of telling others what to do, how to do it and usually without an explanation on why to do it. Scouting likes to take those elements out of the picture and lean more towards to the motto of "Don 't do anything a scout a can do" - Lord Baden Powell. Boy Scouts has been around for 108 years and has a solid foundation on the way it works. The only issue with the program is the adults. Stepping back and letting the scout "fail" is a hard thing to do for most and therefore, in the last 20 years, some troops have been changed by making them adult-led rather than boy-led.

Servant Leadership Analysis The Organization The organization that I am volunteering to fulfill my course requirement is the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, Inc. The organization is located in the city of Stafford in Fort Bend County in the state of Texas. The organization started its services to the needy in the community in the year 1975 with a resale shop in the Tri-City area of Stafford, Sugarland and Missouri City with the collaboration of eight churches of different denomination in the Tri-City area.

Written Responses This is my first summer participating in the UBMSC Summer Residential program at UNLV. Five ways the SRP experience could improve my life personally and academically: I would receive more Spanish speaking experience. I would receive better understanding of Algebra and an introduction to precalculus.

Being involved in many activities in high school, from athletics to fine arts, has taught me how to work well with others as well as work hard under pressure. One of the many organizations I have been involved in while in high school is student council. I am currently serving my third year as student council president for my class and in doing so it has taught me leadership and organization. Student council calls for many responsibilities and opportunities including, service projects for the community, planning a variety of events for the school, and planning major events such as homecoming and prom. Planning and organizing events has given me the opportunity to communicate and meet new people.

I believe I deserve this scholarship because as a hard working individual, I will commit myself to effectively take advantage of the opportunity that the scholarship will provide me. As a child, I knew my goals and ambitions that I desired to achieve after my high school career. I wanted to strive to become successful in life and be able to help my family financially. I had my mind set on what I wanted to become and what I wanted to succeed in. As I further my education, my concentration is focused on achieving my ultimate goal of earning my Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance followed by my Master of Science in Finance.

In the year of 1910, the Boy Scouts of America were formulated under the direction of William D. Boyce. This particular organization for boys was favored by former presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt, as the organization was held to higher standards (“Founders”). Recently, there has been a controversy as to whether or not homosexual leaders should be allowed in Boy Scout troops across the United States. Many are indecisive in this situation, but my personal belief remains firm. The Boy Scouts of America should not allow homosexuals to enter the organization as leaders because of the possibility of sexual assault, families that want same-sex orientation for leaders and youth, and the organization’s foundation on God.

Today, most of the organizations are implementing servant leadership principles in their leadership models whether they are health care, institution, business etc. For example, Ralph and Cheryl Broetje, owners of Broetje orchards- privately owned orchards under the brand name of First Fruits, practice servant leadership. Their mission is to serve, encourage, and educate the employees and their families by providing affordable housing community- Vista Hermosa, schools, college scholarship, and other assistance (www.firstfruits.com/our-philosophy).

The President 's Leadership Academy is an opportunity for students who do not settle for the regular curriculum and aspire to become involved servant-leaders through experiential learning, workshops, and classes. The mission of the PLA is to give BGSU students the opportunity to sharpen their leadership skills through a curriculum based on the concept of servant leadership. This way, these young adults may be able to grow in their leadership abilities and contribute to society both while in school and after graduation. I am particularly interested in being a part of the PLA because of my joy for servant leadership. In my high school career I have assumed many leadership positions.

“If servant leadership is instilled in our males, we can increase the chances of them becoming better fathers." According to Greenleaf(1904-1990), “ Servant-leaders are functionally superior because they are closer to the ground—they hear things, see things, know things, and their intuitive insight is exceptional. Because of this they are dependable and trusted, they know the meaning of that line from Shakespeare’s sonnet: "They that have power to hurt and will do none.” It is innovative, it strengthen relationships, supporting and meeting the needs of others, respecting and acknowledging different opinions; it’s the ideal approach for an excellent leader, a mentor and a father.