LO 3Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
PGC is all about becoming a leader and taking certain initiatives of a given group. My partner and I were PGC Leaders who have lead a freshmen group to transition into high school in order to make their change of leaving middle school as smoothly as possible. For every pair of leaders, a small group of 10-15 9th graders was assigned as their PGC group. We met with our freshmen group every week, during advisory, every Monday for a whole semester. Then, the PGC leaders met every Wednesday after school for 2 hours and 15 minutes with our mentors (the PGC organizers/teachers) to be able to plan for the next session with the freshmen. These days with our mentors were used to plan and go over the activities that we would introduce for next weeks session, this meant that we had to meet with our PGC partners as well and take notes on who will say what. This was the time where we could also reflect on pass sessions and take note of any improvements that my leader and I could do for the next meet with the 9th graders. Planning ahead of time was very useful because it allowed my partner and I to be prepared accordingly to the schedule and also reflect on our strengths and weaknesses as leaders allowing us to creating solutions and improvements to any issues that were coming up.
LO 2Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
PGC was the first time where I could demonstrate my leadership skills in a group that I was seen as the leader and the one in charge. I had to set an example for those who were a part of my group and be the one to take the initiative in starting a new activity to introduce to the group. It was hard at first to be the ones leading, I learned the basics of becoming a leader and also how to direct a group; something I have never done before. It was challenging for me to keep my group in order, but it was also easier for me to organize the group more and take responsibility as time kept going by. As a leader, we have to take responsibilities where my partner and I have to step up when the group is not behaving as well. Personally, my personality does not match up with being strict, but I learned that as a leader I had to be the one in charge and fix the issue when needed. Every week was a different session and every meet with the 9th graders, I could see in myself that my leadership skills were developing more and more that the thought of being a leader in the group a normal feeling. After PGC, I could also see these skills of becoming a leader in classes and group projects, where I see myself naturally taking the lead in group activities.