Government should focus primarily on the
development of sustainable programs (a series of project designed to meet
one goal in a coordinated and effective way) which touch the 5 areas of
priority. These programs are clear cut, moving a chronological order, cyclical
in its nature and emphasis primarily on name recognition and branding. And
programs which has open participation to the entire student body.
The domestic policy simply implies that
internal programs of government should be geared towards for the aid of formation
rooted in Ignatian values. This government is designed to be a government that
does not solely focus on protection, promotion and preservation of students’
rights and welfare but equally emphasize the importance of our responsibilities
as Atenean students in the context of a larger community. This is the Xavier Way
One major challenge is to nurture an
environment of creative and critical thinking among students. This is one major
factor that government of high calibre needs to study. This could be done by
initiating open competitions, public debates, community forums and other
creative means.
The number one challenge of the government is
its self. It’s its size and the challenge of nurturing it and making it intact.
This is first and foremost the focus of our efforts. How we make ourselves
cohesive and develop systems that institutionalize that cohesiveness. We should
sit and think about how we can do this together.
For
external matters that seek our commitment in terms of manpower, strict internal
policies should be established.
How much
autonomy is autonomous? And never use “autonomy” as an excuse to escape the
hustle of protocols.
We should accept some facts as absolute truths
if we are to stand firm. One of these self-evident truths is we as the
government could never please every single one but at least we should know who
to please.
These policies are mainly checking mechanisms
that ensure proper documentation, proper channelling of communication, proper financing.
It also brings about a sense of respect to the line of command.
The last thing we need is to have the feeling
of animosity towards the administration. They are our parents and respect and
courtesy through following the policies and procedures are the least we can do.
At the end of this wonderful
experience, it made me appreciate more the Jesuit education I am intimately
dedicated in understanding and animating through my thoughts and actions. The
things I learned inside the classroom, the notes in my notebook and the
theories in my books should not remain in my head or in their static state. The
challenge is to translate or animate this knowledge into action – the very call
of magis. This action, directed by my faith and the call of my education to be
a man for others is where the value of my knowledge crystallizes. This
knowledge therefore should be used for the less fortunate others, those who are
powerless, those who are poor, those who can’t even think for themselves, those
who are vulnerable, those who don’t even care but all for the Greater of God.
You can’t solely depend on your
experiences of leadership per se. What completes the equation is the capacity
to digest these experiences and extract insights matched with a growing
commitment for finding the truth.
Be weary of ideologies, they could
be rotten tomatoes covered in a velvet shawl.
Leadership for me is a concrete form
of living out your faith. Leadership is an expression of faith because it is an
act of a transcended self.
I just offer you my attitude, my
character, my faith and a vision.
One service center policy – We should endeavour to establish
and develop a center which students can automatically recognize and approach if
they need assistance in categorized forms.
Reaching out policy – one of the strongest legacies of
the Diamond batch, this policy should be sustained and strengthened. The
department of information should study creative and innovative ways in reaching
out to our constituents and others.
Good will policy – giving out thank you cards is a
very good way of developing goodwill to
all
Having a simple easily memorized code that
summarizes our way of proceeding is quite ideal for everyday guidance and
inspiration.
The burden
of leadership is really seeing every bit of optimism in what ever challenge a
situation gives. Therefore, strength of character and a grounded conviction is
vital in any leader
-September
30, 2008
In its
core, leadership is really about character and attitude. Skills, influence,
achievements and drive are only secondary. These things should be anchored in
the very character and attitude of the person for it magnify.
Anybody can
use power; it takes a skill called leadership to make it work.
Growth,
purpose, friendship: These are the basic ingredients that we volunteers ought
to seek if we wish to survive this part of our lives.
A great
government is the one that protects its people even to those who aim to
destabilize it. Kill them with kindness.
Too much
politicking results to a mindset of manipulation, blind assertion, and false
alliances.
If you say
what you think, don’t expect to hear only what you like.
The one
trouble with the world is that so many people who stand up vigorously for their
rights fall down miserably on their duties.
No leader
is exempt from criticism and his humility will no where be seen more clearly
than in the manner in which he accepts and reacts to it.
I may not
have gone far, but what I can offer you is simply my character, my attitude,
and our vision. Plain and simple. Anybody can use fame, achievement, power, but
it takes a skill called leadership grounded in character that makes it all
work.
-
Tonton
Learning from the practices of Ateneo de
Manila, I am deeply convinced that the prime ingredient for any successful long
term programs is through a concrete partnership with faculty or university
offices. This can somehow hardwire our efforts into the institution itself. One
good example is the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition. This is one good
practice that I wish to develop in Xavier
University
Another important mission an Ignatian
government should focus is the leadership formation within and without campus.
A special team should be created to initiate a student led leadership
development program that accommodates potential student leaders in campus.
So if I become president, my basic priorities
clustered into Rights, Formation, and Community
RIGHTS
FORMATION
COMMUNITY
- Improvement
of student services (not just enrolment, XSAC, lockers, or insurance) that expands to involvement/formation
opportunities
- Student
Leadership formation
- Encourage
creativity and critical thinking (Alternative classes)
- tapping
the internet for active online community and online messaging
- Pooling
of diverse student talents
- Environmental
Care ( Formation of a student
coalition and department)
- development
of XSAC
Policies that proved to be very effective are
the reaching out policy in information dissemination. Here, I recommend the
formation of a permanent trained and confident mobile information patrol team.
They are the once who regularly go to the canteen to
“megaphone” people.
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