Tribes

The different types of tribes that I see in Atchison are as follows;

1. The people at Benedictine. We are our own part of Atchison. We operate separately from the community of Atchison. Even though we do take part in the community we don't venture far out into the community. There are also tribes within BC; each of the different sports teams and then people who are involved in other things other than sports

2. The business owners in Atchison. These people work hard to keep their businesses going and try to participate in the community whenever they can.

3. The Chamber of Commerce who try to do the best with what they have to make Atchison a better community.

4. The people of the town who work and go about there day without putting too much effort towards being involved in the community

Tribes

Every where you look, there are many tribes around. Any type of school clubs or organizations. Other tribes could be, a Sunday golf crew meeting a the golf course, Your morning coffee groups who meet at Daylight Donuts, or the coffee drinkers who go to McDonalds for there coffee. These are just a few of the many different types of Tribes within Atchison.

Beautification

When I was driving up Second street last week I noticed that there are some houses that could use some work. Many prospective students and prospective students parents drive on the street to get to the college. So, I think it would be nice if we fixed up some of those houses. The above pictures are of the houses on Second street that I noticed could use some work. For the most part, I think that the houses just need some paint and if we could plant some flowers or shrubs I think it would add a lot.

Tribes

There are alot of tribes in Atchison.Most apparrent is BC.Others include the highscools as a whole,along with comunity involved organizations.Lions club Boys and Girls Club, Rotary club Ect

Blog Challenge week of Feb 15-21

Hi all!
Here is your blog challenge for the week of February 15-21.

Please post 3 or more pictures of homes in Atchison that are in need of beautification. Why would these places be a good candidates for beautification, how would you beautify them? Write about your thoughts about where the project should go and different ideas that would make it work.

ALSO: remember to comment on each others posts starting this week. This effects your grade.

Do amazing things!
-Emma

Tribes

There are a few different tribes I can within Atchison.

1.) Benedictine- This is the most apparent one to me because we are pretty a self-sufficient little town within the town and the College generally keeps to itself. The students sometimes will go into town, but students are temporary figures in the school and aren't permanent fixtures in the town.

2.) Business Owners- The home-town businesses seem to hold together fairly well, which leads me to think they could be classified as a tribe. They work together to try to pull in customers and often have the same viewpoints on what the direction the town should go in. I would also place MGP within this group, despite their larger size because they still are a local business with great interest in how the town keeps.

3.) The Townspeople - These are the regular people who compose the town of Atchison. The blue-collar people who work in the plant, the schools, the College, and raise their kids to live in Atchison. This is the main body component of the town in my opinion.

Tribes

When I think about the type of tribes there are in Atchison, first I think of BC. It is its own tribe in itself. The only major attempt from BC to reach out to the community is sponsorships the school has with businesses. The students for the most part don't venture out in to the town unless they live off campus. The clubs and sports teams on campus are also tribes. As a baseball player, the baseball team is a big tribe because we all spend a lot of time on and off the field together and a player's main group of friends is other teammates from the team. Other tribes around town are area businesses, Elks, Knights of Columbus, the poker group, Atchison Area Yacht Club even, and other common interest groups in town. Somehow, all these groups need to come together to form a better community.

Tribes

When I look at Atchison, I see several "tribes" of people working together. To begin with, Benedictine. Sometimes I feel that BC is its own little town in Atchison. Many people, and I am definitely guilty, pretty much spend all of their time on campus only venturing off to visit Walmart. Within BC, there are also several tribes. The campus offers so many different extracurricular activities for students to be a part of and get involved.

I also feel that the businesses in the downtown area form a tribe. The owners work together to bring business to that area. It benefits each business when other businesses bring in customers because those customers might decide to "pop" into their stores as well. MGP forms another tribe. All the workers band together to finish their jobs. I cannot remember right now why they were on strike, but they obviously also band together when they believe they are being treated unfairly.

tribes

When I think of tribes I think of sports teams that I have played on that worked towards a common goal. Tribes battle to achieve greatness and have to work hard to attain it. Sometimes, members of a tribe argue and have various disagreements, however, all ultimately work together to defeat the opposition. In a community sense, defeating the opposition is more prevalent to things like abolishing violence or crime. Members of a successful tribe have a strong sense of family and belonging, which creates strong bonds. In order to be a tribe, a community must realize the common goals of which to achieve. All communities want to be beautiful and comforting; so the "Atchison Tribe" could work towards city-wide cleanup and park beautification projects. Developing large teams that take pride in these projects would be a great way to start a "tribe" that people could be proud to be a part of.

tribes

when thinking about the subject of tribes, the first thing that comes to mind is our leadership class. We all have the common goal of bettering our leadership skills and improving the over-all quality of our community. By joining together in this social tribe we will be able to better the community of Atchison and better our very own character at the same time.

BLOG CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8-14.

Next Monday we are going to talk about building coalitions in organizations.  Seth Godin has developed a new theory of getting things done in the world based on TRIBES.    Tribes are self-organized groups of people who share a passion.  Seth believes that Tribes and social networking are the keys to successful leadership and building great communities in the modern world.

YOU CHALLENGE THIS WEEK IS TO IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE THE VARIOUS TRIBES THAT YOU FIND IN ATCHISON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA!

You can listen to Seth's book TRIBES: We Need You to Lead us. as an audio book for free online here:
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/entry/offers/partnerPromotions.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0360111669.1265933775@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfadejikdhllicefecekjdffidfgo.0&productID=FR_ADBL_000302

And a TRIBES CASE BOOK (not the actual book but a companion book of examples) here:
http://shuaism.com/downloadsCurrentTribesCasebook.pdf

And even watch Seth describe the TRIBES idea here:

http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html
http://mixergy.com/seth-godin-tribe/

Blog Participation

Hello all!
Wanted to let you know that I will be doing a few things with the blog over the rest of the semester.

1. I will be taking "roll" and checking to see who has and hasn't contributed to the blog every week.
   
2. Everyone should be commenting on each others posts, these comments do effect your grade as well as your blogs. Commenting on other class/community members blog contributions is imperative to making the blog, as well as yourselves successful.
   
3. I will be rating the blog contributions that you make as a means of setting the bar so you know what kind of posts Doctor Bunch is looking for.
4. I know that it is sometimes hard to remember to blog. SO: It is recommended that you set the blog as your home page for the rest of the semester so you don't forget to blog :)
5. If you have any questions let Ashlee, Doctor Bunch or I know.
   

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
-John F. Kennedy

Go do amazing things!
Emma Sawin

Blog Participation

Hello all!
Wanted to let you know that I will be doing a few things with the blog over the rest of the semester.

1. I will be taking "roll" and checking to see who has and hasn't contributed to the blog every week.
   
2. Everyone should be commenting on each others posts, these comments do effect your grade as well as your blogs. Commenting on other class/community members blog contributions is imperative to making the blog, as well as yourselves successful.
   
3. I will be rating the blog contributions that you make as a means of setting the bar so you know what kind of posts Doctor Bunch is looking for.
4. I know that it is sometimes hard to remember to blog. SO: It is recommended that you set the blog as your home page for the rest of the semester so you don't forget to blog :)
5. If you have any questions let Ashlee, Doctor Bunch or I know.
   

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
-John F. Kennedy

Go do amazing things!
Emma Sawin

Community Project

Bringing the community together is important in the endeavor to better it as a whole. Fun, enticing activities that involve the whole family can bring everyone together and spark new friendships. Pride clubs and Lions clubs are prevalent in communities such as my own, but seem to only include older members of the community. Finding activities that appeal to everyone is extremely difficult; however, advertising and a good vibe can create positive feelings towards the event. I think a street dance would be a fun event that could bring the community together. Highland holds an annual street dance and many members of the community attend and have a great time. Everyone can bring a dish or entree and share recipes. Since dancing is a fun opportunity to let loose, people will be more open to talk to others they don't know. It is also an opportunity to directly oppose the separation problems that are still prevalent.

a better Atchison

I'm glad to see that the class is on the same page when it comes to making this city into the city we know it could be. I believe our attention for this project definitely needs to be directed towards the youth. We can't have a project that involves only the youth but one that involves people of all ages while focusing mainly on the youth. something like community parties inviting all people to join would be great. Setting an example of friendship towards all people of the community is what we should aim for. If we focus only on the youth for this project, not much of an impact will be made. We need to make the adults of this community aware that the youth of Atchison need to be cared for. By having community wide parties, or a series of parties which slowly draw everyone together, people will begin to see how wonderful Atchison really is.

The strengths of this community need to be brought out of everyone. There is a lot of talent and good natured people who are always left in the dark. People with talent of any kind need to be brought out. Whether it's music, art, dancing, or hobbies, we need to showcase them to the rest of the community. A talent show or art showcase would also be a great way to better this community and draw the people of Atchison closer together.

Class Project

Again as we have all talked about every week Kids. The youth is the future. We not only need to find something that creates a stronger bond kids in Atchison, but at the same time we need to find something for the adults to be integrated in also. I would like to see something as simple as a park that has all the necessities such as ball fields, playground equipment, basketball courts. Things that would help create a place that is safe for kids to gather and to spend time outside getting exercise. I am from a big city that has a lot of these options and i think i have ideas that could help this become possible. From the standpoint of money sure that is always and issue but things can be created from stuff that is already here in atchison and not being utilized the way it needs to be.

Im excited to see where we will go with any project we decide on and im excited to leave a huge impact on Atchison something i never would have thought 5 years ago i would be a part of.

How do we make atchison better

The biggest thing we can do to make Atchison better, is help the youth. We have been saying it every week we meet. But the youth in this town are the future. I think we need to get the adult's more involved with the youths and have more youth oriented programs. Also I think after school programs are key and need to continue.

Our class project

Do you remember those days when the entire neighborhood or street would come together for a block party? Those were the times where new neighbors could meet, and life long friendships could be made. They were times that allowed people to feel comfortable living where they were living. I feel our class project should gear towards bringing that type of community back to Atchison. I think we should put together a plan to have a block party type of atmosphere for the entire town that will go on every month during the late spring, summer, and early fall seasons. This could take place at Jackson Park, or the other parks on the BC side of main street. So, another aspect to this would be to clean up whichever park in which this would take place. Not only could this block party be open to residents but also businesses as well. They could bring management teams there to meet the citizens of Atchison to develop relationships with them. And also bring a taste of their business with them, whether it be food or items for sale.

Not only would this idea accomplish the tasks of building friendships and trust with each other as citizens and businesses, but it would keep kids off the computer, off the video games, and out playing ball or tag with each other for the day/night like we did when we were younger. If this goes on once a month for a majority of the year it could influence individual neighborhoods/streets to do the same thing on a smaller scale so neighbors could build lifelong relationships and trust.

How we can make Atchison better

I believe one of the biggest keys to making Atchison better is the youth. We need to find a way to reach the youth. Many of the people who grew up in Atchison will be more inclined to stay here and help it grow if they enjoy their time here and find it to be a great place to raise a family. What better way is there to be a community leader than to help lead the youth of the community? Most or all of us have had a chance to impact the kids of Atchison one way or another. Last year, Rob, Danny, and I spent a few hours at the local Boys and Girls club. And in those few hours, the kids had a great time. However, this should be our duty as residents and we need to put in more time with the youth. I suggest that we start a program that allows us and the future community leadership groups a semester long chance to talk and interact with the kids. It will be a chance for us to let them know the dos and donts in becoming a successful impact on the community. Through this program, hopefully, we can help guide them to be the best they can be.

My Atchison

Hi. My name is Bret "Nick" Brown. I grew up in Greenfield, Iowa. This is a small town of about 2,000 people in southwest Iowa. So, when I came to Atchison, Kansas and I saw it had a McDonnald's I was sold.

My Atchison, to this point, has been a collection of three places.

I came to Benedictine College to earn a degree in Athletic Training and I am proud to say that I am one semester from completing that goal.

I have learned a lot a Benedictine College. But, you can't find everything you need at a college.

Mueller's Bar is a great place for the people who attend to interact with the residents of Atchison, Kansas. While I do not go to this bar on a regular basis, I have had a lot of fun here. You will meet some really interesting people here and engaging in a conversation is always advised.

POSTING CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK

Class, you challenge this week is to develop ideas about what the team project should be this term!  Rather than create entire new discussions, please post your ideas here AS REPLIES TO THIS MESSAGE rather than as completely new conferences!

Where I have slept in Atchison.....

I came to Atchison in the Summer of 1997!  The first place I stayed was at the Abby when I was here for an interview for a job at Benedictine College.  I became  Chair of the Business Department there in the Fall of that year.  The Abby was very quiet.  They invite you to early morning prayers at 5:00 AM in the morning!

In the first few months, I also stayed a few nights at the Dean' house which is on the "River Road" on the South side of town. The house has a swimming pool.

For the first 18 months at BC I was traveling back to Manhattan, Kansas on the weekends.   My first "home" was in the basement of this house on River Road.  It was called the Muchnic House because that was the family that built it.  Another professor rented me a room in the basement.  In the early morning sometimes there were deer in the backyard from Jackson Park which is virtually next door.

Well, that basement arrangement lasted about 2 Semesters but then my host wanted his basement back so I rented the top floor of this house in 400 block of 7th street.  I was still traveling back and forth on the weekends.

After the yellow house,  my family moved to town and we were able to rent this house at 7th and Laramie from Bill and EdnaMay Wolters.  They were great!  There was no front porch when we had it.  It is truly a beautiful house!  We stayed there until there was an attic fire!   My son, Nathan, was home when it started and he was able to get out and alert the neighbors.  The Fire Marshal said that he saved the house and most of our belongings becasue if they had gotten there 10 minutes later, the fire would have been very hard to stop!



The Atchison community was absolutely marvelous after the fire.  They helped us clean up and move our stuff into storage.  They also arranged for us to stay overnight, first at the AmericInn, and then at John Settich's St. Martin's Bed and Breakfast.  After that time we moved into the Lewis and Clark Hall at the Atchison Heritage Conference Center.  We had two rooms.  It was bare bones but nice.  We really learned how to cook out of a microwave and croc pot.  It is amazing how many different things you can cook with these two devices!








Once we got things sorted out after the fire, we ended up staying at the Lewis and Clark Hall at the Atchison Heritage Conference Center.  We had two rooms and stayed there about 6 months while the house we were restoring was getting to the point that we could live in it!  Thank the Lord for Renter's Insurance!













Now we live in this house!  We restored it and have been here for about 5 years!

Nick Rudolph (how to make Atchison a better place)

I think that there are allot of great things to do in Atchison. and As a college student i enjoy the many activities the school offers during the school year as well as the night life of Atchison. However after living here for a summer and seeing Atchison from a different perspective i have come to realize that besides the two or three festivals that happen here there is not a ton of options for the youth under the age of 21. I believe that some kind of youth center that is geared towards a safe and fun under 21 night life could do great things for Atchison. What i am talking about is some kind of Dave and Busters like establishment minus the booze. This is just my opinion of one thing that could make this all ready great town just a little bit better

nick rudolph

my name is Nick Rudolph, i was born in Redondo Beach, CA in 1988. Shortly after i moved to Kansas where my family currently lives in Overland Park, which is about hour south of Atchison. I choose to come to Benedictine to accept a football scholarship. I am currently a junior here at BC and i am working on a business management undergrad. As of now i plan on staying and getting my masters from BC, depending on job market when i receive my undergrad. I have lived in Atchison now for a year and a half. staying here this past summer, which has given me the opportunity to see Atchison in two different lights both equally fun and interesting. I have met allot of people here and have come to really like the small town attitude, and the fact that everybody knows everybody. If i had to say the one thing that i have enjoyed the most from being here in Atchison/Benedictine it would have to be my friends and all the fun times during the school year and this summer in Atchison. Here are some of those good times caught on camera.

Creighton Staude - My Atchison

Hi my name is Creighton Staude. I am from Wentzville, Missouri, which is about 25 miles west of St. Louis. I came to Benedictine to play football and further my education. I am majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. I am a senior now and still don't know very much about this town. I have been to a few places and had a few great experiences here. The one thing that I love about being here is the ability to get to anywhere quickly and not having to worry about traffic. I chose these two pictures, because this is Benedictine to me. There is nothing better than a beautiful fall day having the stands packed and playing football. I have met some life long friends here through football and that is what being here is all about.

Atchison

Hello and welcome to Leadership Atchison. My name is Ashley Kallman and I am from Belleville, Kansas. Belleville is a small town situated on the intersection of US Hwy 36 and 81. I never really appreciated what I great community it was to grow up in until I moved away. Although I don't have the desire to ever move back I still chairsh the experience of growing up there. Currently, I am co-owner of Atchison Automotive Group, Inc. located at 314 Woodlawn Ave with my finance Clay. We moved to Atchison in 2007 to purchase the dealership.

I am hoping that all the participants in this class learn that there is more to Atchison then one might think. I also enjoy the experience of incorporating the college with the community. I know that the students of BC want the community to be more appreciative of them and the community wants to get to know the students.

Leadership to me is an influence relationship between leaders and followers who work for the common good to create real change. Leadership is important in many aspects of life. It is what motivates me to keep moving forward when things get tough and trust me in the last two years with the automotive industry in shambles it has been tough.

My Atchison starts with the dealership. The dealership allows me time to volunteer and contribute to Atchison by serving on the Rotary Board, Chamber Board, Girl Scouts and more. When I can get away from the store for a little bit and volunteer then it helps me to appreciate Atchison more. I wouldn't be able to do all this if we didn't own Atchison Automotive Group, Inc.

My Atchison also includes my pets. We adopted Celine a few years ago. She is a retired service dog that worked with handicapped kids at school everyday. I often bring her to work with me where she loves to greet our customers. This is her in her pink winter coat. I know to cute but so wrong :-) Anyway, we also have a cat named Hunter.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read my post. I hope that you get more from this class then you ever expected.