This summer's Journey to Excellence is the seventh annual summer leadership training headed by Jessica Gerassimides. Student leaders in residence halls and other areas have benefited by this program, and it is eagerly awaited each year. This year's Ecovillage staff will have first priority for enrolling, and sessions on EcoLearning are included. You are invited to take part in this opportunity to develop as a person and as a team member combined with the opportunity to learn about principles of sustainability.

The program is a twelve-week Labor Only experience, starting Tuesday, May 27, and concluding Friday, August 22. There is no fee for materials or field trips, and living on campus is not required. It is preferred that participants are Labor Only, although exceptions can be made for Labor Only One Class. The training is responsive to each person's skills level and experience.

Participants will explore leadership styles as well as develop their own. A desired outcome is to help students learn how to work effectively in a team structure while retaining a high standard of personal integrity. The program is highly interactive and reflective with opportunities for both personal and team learning. The goal is to help the Ecovillage staff succeed in their new positions, reaching a level of competence that allows them to train other students and staff in leadership roles and to help the Ecovillage community achieve its performance goals within a framework of guided learning and encouragement of changes at the community level.

Part of this summer program is practical application. In this realm, leadership students will apply their skills during Registration Orientation Weekends, during orientations for both all incoming Berea students and for all Ecovillage residents, and during Student Life summer labor meetings. The last week will be spent at the Ecovillage, preparing apartments and checking in students.

The summer calendar looks like this:

As you can see, three of your vacation days are prescribed. You will have some flexibility with the remaining two (and with additional work hours accrued during ROW weekends).

Chris Lakes, and Connie Briggs will be working with Jessica Gerassimides to coordinate this program. Please let one of them know by email by Monday, April 14, if you will be part of this opportunity. All can answer questions you may have.

"We are all travelers. From 'birth til death' we travel between the eternities. May these days be pleasant for you, profitable for society, helpful for those you meet, and a joy to those who know and love you best."

—Author unknown