Leadership camp report

Leadership camp report

21.09.2021 - 23.09.2021

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“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” - Douglas MacArthur.

“Leadership is the ability to get extraordinary achievement from ordinary people.” - Brian Tracy

40 students of our college were handpicked to attend a 3-day leadership camp at Bangalore from 21.09.2021 - 23.09.2021. The students were accompanied by Dr Daniel Fernandes SJ, Principal, and 4 other faculties: Mr RovinMartis, Mr RangaswamyA M, Ms JenisiaLasrado and Ms Benita Olivera. The 3-day camp was filled with loads of fun filled and team building activities along with deeper insights into the history and legacy of the institutions. Various sessions organised have helped the students gain a deeper understanding of their responsibilities as leaders and has also created an urge in them to lead and motivate others to achieve the college objectives.

The details given below provide us a glimpse of the various activities and sessions that were conducted during these 3 days of the camp.

Day 1: It is rightly said the soul would speak when the mind is quiet. What can be more thrilling and exciting than starting your day with meditation. An inter religion prayer room with the picture of Buddha in the centre, candles lit all around, soul touching music, dim lights, a perfect ambience to put anyone into trance. Dr Rekha, Counsellor, St Joseph’s Evening College (Autonomous), with her soft spoken voice, beautifully conducted the meditation and helped each one to connect with their inner self. Fr Brian Periera SJ, Vice President, BJES, along with Dr Rekha and Mr Shailesh conducted the Ice Breaker Session to get the students acquainted with one another. After the ice breaker, a session on the qualities of a good leader was presented jointly by Fr Brian and Dr Rekha. During this session the participants were divided into 4 groups and each group had to bid on qualities of leadership that they thought to be very important, after which each group had to present those qualities in the most creative way possible. Students were also made to ponder upon what are the changes they would like to bring in the college as leaders. Students were divided into a team of two, one from each team had to stand in an inner circle and the other on the outer circle. On turns, the person standing in the inner circle had to state his/her vision for the college, while the person standing in the outer circle had to call out the name of another team member and then throw the thread ball at them while holding a part of the same in their hand. This continued until every team member had stated their vision for the college. The thread ball that had been thrown to one another had created a web like structure. Just like how an individual strand adds on to the strength of the spider web, an individual person also could contribute to the strength of the team, was a lesson learnt through this activity. Lunch was hosted by Rev Fr Roshan David Periera SJ, Principal, St Joseph’s Evening College.

Post lunch students proceeded to St Joseph’s College of Commerce (Autonomous), Brigade Road, for their further activities. The afternoon began with a prayer service conducted by SJCC Choir which helped the students to align themselves with the purposes of God. “Coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success. Great things in business are never done by a single person, they are done by a group of people.” various team building activities were organised by Mr Raj Sadwaani, HOD, BBA, SJCC and Mr Zubair, Faculty, SJCC. Students had a gala time in these activities and it proved to be of great assistance in understanding the momentousness of a team in achieving the goals set. A quote given by Augusto Boal states that “We must all do theatre to find out who we are and to discover who we would become.” Our college intends to start a full-fledged theatre club in the college and for this purpose, Dr Lava Kumar, HOD, Kannada department, SJCC and Coordinator of theatre club,SJCC, was requested to take sessions on theatre club activities. The day came to a halt with an introduction to various activities that could be implemented in the theatre club.

Day 2: The enthusiasm and the urge of the students to gain knowledge could be sensed as they marched their way to St Joseph’s College of Commerce (Autonomous) for their second day of leadership camp.

“Inspiring scenes of people taking the future of their countries into their own hands will ignite greater demands for good governance and political reform elsewhere in the world”.- William Hague. The second day started with a session on “students in governance” by Dr Nirmala Joseph and Ms Veenu Joy, faculty of SJCC in the board room of the college. This session helped the students to understand the role that the students can play in the governance of the college. Ms. Veenu Joy spoke about the various challenges that the student leaders have to face and the part that they play in reforming the institution.

. "I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being."- Oscar Wilde. The motto of Jesuits institutions is to form men and women for and with others. Theatre is the best way to teach students about social concern and social responsibility. After the tea break, at 10:45 am the students witnessed the street play ‘Go Corona Go’ performed by the Hashmi Theatre Forum of SJCC in the college grounds. The play was performed as an awareness programme about the persisting corona virus pandemic.

The next session was by Mr Vinay Kambipuyra regarding the associations of SJCC. He highlighted the importance of student associations in the college and the role they play in the overall development of students. Students were divided into groups and were told to form a new association for the college with logo and objectives. Every group presented their ideas with the logo and objectives of the association which they like to have in the college. After this session delicious lunch was served which was sponsored by SJCC.

At 2 pm onwards the students interacted with the members of student council of SJCC. The council members explained about the activities they conduct in college and their duties and responsibilities. It was a fruitful interactive session for the future leaders of the college. This session was followed by a campus visit. Ms Asha introduced the campus of SJCC to students. After the tea break, at 4:15 pm a session on theatre activities conducted by Dr Lavakumar. He explained how theatre can have an impact in the overall personality development of the students. Students also shared their opinion and thoughts about theatre. By this session the second day came to an end.

Day:3 The day started with the first session in St Joseph’s College (Autonomous) Bengaluru. This session was on “Introduction to Jesuit Education and Leadership” which was conducted by Fr Maxim. He explained that Jesuit education is not just about educating students but to form men and women for and with others. Students also shared their thoughts about education and leadership. After the tea break the second session was on ‘Personal Brand Building’ by Ms Amitha HOD of Commerce. She spoke about why it is important to build up personal skills. She asked the students to tell some made up stories about their friends. All students participated and enjoyed this session.

At 11:45 am Rev. Fr Swebert D Silva, Rector of SJC(Autonomous), addressed the gathering. He spoke about Jesuit ethos which the students have to inculcate when they are the part of Jesuit institutions. Later the students visited the campus and had lunch which was sponsored by SJC (Autonomous). By this three days’ leadership camp came to an end. This was very helpful to the students as we could see the transformation in them after the end of the camp. Students were inspired and were ready to form a best student council in the college.