Baking A Cake

        One of the ideas that I found most interesting was in McKnight’s Servanthood article.  He says that we should be a friend to the people out in the communities we become a part of.  I thought this fell in line with what Miss Sorenson discussed with our class last Thursday.  We should go into the neighborhood with a positive attitude asking the community members what they want from us.  It is not about what we think they need from us but how we can provide them with what they truly desire.  I feel that concept is taking a friendship approach to the situation over a service approach.  We are getting to know the community and those who live in it.

       I also agree with the idea mentioned in Herzberg’s Critical Thinking article.  He talked about his students volunteering in a community that they would have otherwise never been in.  Most people go to school in towns far away from where they grew up.  They do not know anyone and are not familiar with many of the landmarks in the new area around them.  This is my experience with coming to UNC Charlotte.  Only one other person from my high school came here with me freshmen year and then she ended up dropping out, leaving me by myself.  I came to a new town with new people, completely stepping out of my comfort zone.  I am from a small town where I grew up with all of the same kids for my entire life.  If it was not for joining the Honors College and taking this class then I would not have experienced going out into the communities of Charlotte.  It is too nerve wracking and intimidating to go out into the unknown on your own.  The experience is much more enjoyable when you are with friends.