The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.
The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?
A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.
The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?
A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.
q1- Blood drive
African-Americans make up 19.3% of the population within our area; however, only 7.5% donate blood. There are some rare blood antigens unique to African-Americans, and it’s difficult to find compatible blood types for some patients - often the best match is blood that comes from another African-American donor. The Blood Connection encourages African-Americans to donate regularly. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that causes the red blood cells to become sickle shaped, preventing them from circulating to parts of the body, resulting in anemia. African-Americans with sickle cell, cancer, and kidney disease are less likely to have reactions to blood donated by other African-Americans.
q2-canned food drive
There are many ways to get involved in ending hunger in our region. We could never accomplish all we do without each and every lodge in our district. Food Drives are a fun and easy way to multiply your giving! In fact, last year Food Drives provided the equivalent of 10 million pounds of food to neighbors in need. We serve 7 counties in Upstate South Carolina including Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg.
Q3-backpack giveaway
Each year we provide elementary, middle and high school students with free back packs and school supplies. Many of our local lodges distributes supplies for all grade levels or assist with back to school community projects in their area. The goal of this initiative is to prepare children for school and to unify our neighborhoods for even greater self-advocacy and community planning. For the thousands of kids in Upstate SC who come from families struggling with extreme poverty, getting school supplies can make all the difference in the world to their future success. How can a child be expected to succeed in the classroom without the basic tools to learn? Studies show that teachers spend an average of $500 per year of their own money to help kids whose families just can’t afford the required materials. In many public schools, it’s just assumed the parents will provide these school supplies. Lottery funds and school budgets keep increasing year after year and yet little to none of our resources are making it to the classroom where the teachers and students can utilize it.
q4 -feeding our families
The face of poverty and hunger is likely the face of your next door neighbor, or someone equally as close to you. They may be someone in your family – an aunt or uncle, someone living on a fixed income who struggles daily to put food on their table. Many are too proud to admit that after a life of hard work they find themselves in need of help from others. They starve in silence. In South Carolina over 17% of the population live in poverty, and over 23% of South Carolina children live below the poverty line. That means one in six South Carolina families will not have enough food to feed themselves each night.