Your Philosophy of ServiceEmerging Leaders Level I 2011

Purpose

This exercise will allow you to identify what service means to you, to understand how individuals define service differently and have different assumptions about what constitutes service. Does it have to be a particular kind of activity or

work? Does it have to serve a specific group of people or

classification of organization? Does it have to have a distinct, identifiable goal or

purpose?

Activity #1

Jot down some notes about your personal criteria for calling something service.

Activity #2

Study the list of 18 examples of Service carefully and place a “1” next to the action that most closely fits your personal philosophy of service. Place a “2” next to the action that is the second best fit, and so on, until every item up to 18 (or more, since there are blank lines included for additions) has a ranking.

Activity #3

In your group, compare each member’s rankings and discuss the differences and similarities. Develop a consensus on the rankings and a definition of service that is acceptable to each of you given your personal philosophy of service. In your discussion, consider how each member responded to the three questions listed above.

Service Categories

Activism/Advocacy (e.g. organizing a petition, a protest, or operation for a cause)

Direct Services and Assistance (e.g. tutoring, preparing dinner at a shelter)

Lifestyle/personal gestures (e.g. giving blood, adopting)

Charity/Philanthropy (e.g. monetary and other donations)

Religion/Spirituality (e.g. serving on a committee at a religious institution)

Citizenship (e.g. voting, running for city council, joining the armed forces)

Vocation/Calling (e.g. choosing work that makes a difference)

Social Entrepreneurship (e.g. micro-lending)