BGLI: An Experience Challenging My Facilitation Skills

   This past weekend I had the opportunity to facilitate for BGLI: Buckeye Greek Leadership Institute. I had attended the institute at the conclusion of my freshman year, and I often describe it as the most formative leadership experience I have had since attending OSU. I made some of my best friends in the Greek community there, formed the values that have driven my leadership since, and framed my outlook on the community that I have maintained since this day.

  So pressure was on. I wanted to provide the same experience for all of the members of the community that were attending this year. I was fortunate to be selected as an undergraduate facilitator. 3 of the groups had one undergrad and one graduate/professional facilitator, 3 of the groups had two undergrad facilitators, and I was by myself. Do you know how intimidating it was being: 1. An undergrad 2. A member of the community with absolutely no positional leadership in either his chapter or his council and 3. Being completely by yourself in a room alone with participants? I was a little nervous about what the participants would think of me.

   I definitely encountered a lot of what we had read about in class. It's difficult being a "non biased" facilitator when you are so passionate about the subject matter. I wanted to push my values on the participants but knew I could not. Luckily, the curriculum aligned with what I believed, so I was able to use the curriculum to get the participants to really examine their beliefs, using strategic questions and conversation starters.

  I spent a significant amount of time 1:1 with my small group (consisting of 7 members). A lot of great conversations came out, although the majority of the group was very reserved at first. Towards the end they came out of their shell and we were able to have some great, engaging conversation about leadership and fraternal values.

  My high came after the "tough" council (or all group) session about congruity, a challenge for a large number of fraternity men and sorority women. Many of the participants described their emotions before our small group reflection as "upset", "angry", "sad", and "threatened" and after described their emotions as "better", "inspired", "challenged", and "intrigued"... that's when I knew that I was really making an impact on these member's outlook on or community, and that they were all starting to "get it" or at least were heading in the right direction.

  I will always hold my experience as a participant close to my heart, but facilitating was an equally rewarding experience and definitely one of my favorite facilitations I have ever done.