LET’S TALK ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP HELD AT THE MONTEGO BAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE!
“Empowering Leaders for the 21st Century”
The Press Club, Circle K, Rotaract, 4H, Spanish Club, Ecology Club, Badminton Club, Table Tennis Club, Ecology Club, Fitness Club, Red Cross Society, Math Club, Chess Club, Young Accountants Association, UCAM, UCCF are only some of the clubs at the Montego Bay Community College!
The Montego Bay Community College has a great number of clubs throughout the school, creating a diverse surrounding for students to interact with peers and participate in club activities which may directly or indirectly strengthen their leadership abilities to a certain extent. Whether one is assigned leadership by a position in a club or simply by displaying influential initiative among peers, leaders can be found all over the school’s campus. The college currently has over 50 active clubs/societies and the launching and development of new clubs are open to the student body; hence, leadership opportunities abound at The Montego Bay Community College. From positions in the student council to class representatives, peer counselors, club and organization officers, or club executives, there are many ways, both formal and informal, for students to build and share leadership skills.
The club executives, from all faculties at the Montego Bay Community College as well as some students from the Montego Bay Community College: Frome campus, came together on September 27, 2017, to the Student Leadership Workshop held on the main college’s campus. Students were brought together to discuss their strengths and weaknesses associated with the running and maintaining of the clubs and societies. However, the primary goal of the event was to teach them – as current and future leaders, how to maximize the output of the clubs by using proper and efficient leadership skills. Discussions on how to develop leadership skills were explored; some of the major strategies noted were: developing effective communication, encouraging enthusiasm and a sense of belonging, getting to know people, treating others as individuals, accepting responsibility for getting things done and problem solving in a step by step away.
Next, Mrs. Natalie Parchment-Clarke culminated the workshop with her speech entitled, “Becoming the Ultimate Ambassador (part 1).” She urged students to be mindful of integrity and most importantly- one’s innate, genuine passion. Mrs. Parchment-Clarke reiterated, “Be passionate, whether raw passion or compassionate.” She spoke passionately about her involvement in Rotary Clubs and how important it is to not only pinpoint, but go after one’s true passion!
Mrs. Carol Walters, the Vice Principal of Academics at the college then lead students into a comprehensive session on Proper Protocol and Etiquette. Topics such as the order of introductions in formal situations and appropriate dress codes in certain contexts were both thoroughly discussed. Mr. Peter Salky gave some advice on “Becoming the Ultimate Ambassador (part2).” He explained that leadership is influencing others with or without authority. He stated that, “Leadership is not dictatorship; attributes to not what you say but how you say it !” He believes a good leader must be confident, be able to reach everybody, deals with conflicts, communicate effectively and is always aware. The workshop came to an end after the breakout sessions involving Mr. Rodcliff Roberts, Mr. Ezmond Farquharson, and Sophia McIntosh, who were speakers for separate groups of executives. The individual sessions made the interaction more personal since the groups were small and students were able to actively ask questions and share their opinions.
It can be agreed that students learned a great deal about how to strengthen their leadership skills. The workshop was thoroughly planned and the guest speakers couldn’t have been better! As student leaders, our roles are not taken lightly; it can either enhance or terminate the quality of our school life. We should aim to spread knowledge through inspiration, tutoring, campaigns and so much more. As student leaders, we are striving to change the world, one school at a time!
Tashian Downer
Chief Writer, M.B.C.C’S Press Club