After a year of hard work and numerous accomplishments, the Honors Student Committee spent a relaxing getaway in a landmark luxury hotel in Fort Lauderdale. From June 1st to 3rd, HSC held its inaugural Leadership Retreat at The Pillars at New River Sound. We hope to continue this as an annual event.
The primary purpose of the leadership retreat was to show our leaders of HSC how much they are appreciated. Our leaders were provided various seminars to help them improve their leadership skills. There were many opportunities for in-depth discussions; small group sessions; and significant fellowship time with transfer/graduating students, as well as leaders from the BC Foundation, Honors Institute and Nova Southeastern University.
In addition to the above, our retreat attendees had plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas and information with colleagues. The Tuesday and Wednesday dinners, special interest group meetings, and small group breakfast sessions provided wonderful opportunities for them to fellowship and network.Dr. Lulrick Balzora worked closely with several student leaders in coordinating the retreat.
On day one, most of the HSC leaders traveled in the afternoon with Dr. Balzora from central campus. True to the character and tradition of HSC, we came to the retreat only after working at a volunteer function. By the early evening, everyone had checked in at the hotel and sat down together to enjoy a delicious meal by the intracoastal waterway.
After a satisfying meal, we gathered next to the pool as Ms. Nancy Botero, Executive Director of the Broward College Foundation, and Dr. Larry A. Calderón, Vice President of Community and Government Affairs, led a seminar on “Leadership in the Real World.” The seminar was very inspiring. Ms. Botero and Dr. Calderón shared their life experiences as leaders. After a lively question and answer session, they mingled with students.
When the leadership seminar concluded, we engaged in fellowship activities at the pool. Everyone got in the pool and cooled off with fun water games such Marco Polo and Water Basketball. Some of our leaders decided to test their strategy skills by playing Chess. Others relaxed in the scenic beauty of the hotel, did homework, or casual reading.
On day two, during breakfast, Mr. Edward Key, Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of the “Finish What You Start” Program joined us for breakfast. As we met by the Intracoastal waterway, some dolphins joined us as well. Mr. Key made a splendid presentation on “Finishing What You Start and Executing” while we ate breakfast and enjoyed some food for thought.
Afterward, Dr. Irmgard Bocchino, Associate Vice President of the Robert "Bob" Elmore Honors Institute, joined us for lunch and to give a presentation on "Leadership and Communication." Dr. Bocchino kept the seminar interesting by using small group activities and helping us with impromptu presentations. After lunch the HSC leaders were free to enjoy the beach, pool, or just relax. Some of us took the opportunity to catch up on homework and some even were able to go to work and/or classes.
The fun continued, filled with recreational activities, as everyone made the best of this resort. We were all very delighted to enjoy the company of Dr. Kevin Walsh, Political Science Professor; Dr. Irmgard Bocchino, Director of the Honors Institute; and Mrs. Youdeline Balzora who remained with us throughout most of the retreat. On the second evening, we had the pleasure of eating dinner at Coconuts Waterfront Dining restaurant and some of us explored the downtown shops on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
On day three, Dr. Walsh gave a wonderful presentation on “Leadership and Organizational Politics." The session began in the swimming pool and continued during breakfast by the intracoastal waterway. It was truly a unique way to have a seminar. Afterward, Dr. Balzora gave a short presentation on "Leadership and Lateral Thinking."
By noon, everyone had checked out and returned to school or to work highly motivated, energized and ready to tackle their next endeavors. This leadership retreat was an experiment which turned out to be immensely successful. It left everyone re-invigorated and committed to maximize their experiences as leaders and to seek to fulfill our organization’s full potential. It gave us time to step back together and to reconnect with our core competencies, goals, and values.
The retreat was made possible by the combined efforts of many people. We at HSC express our gratitude to Dr. Balzora, Mazen Mbayed and Silvana Camargo for making substantial sacrifices and efforts to coordinate, plan and execute the retreat. We offer special thanks to the owner, Michael G. Landry for generously reducing the prices of the rooms. In addition, we are grateful that the Broward College Foundation, Dr. Balzora Endowed Teaching Chair Funds, and Dr. Kevin Walsh Endowed Teaching Chair Funds covered 50% of the reduced price. This helped tremendously in making the retreat affordable for students. Last but not least, we are very grateful to Ms. Botero, Dr. Caulderon, Dr. Balzora, Mr. Key, Dr. Walsh and Dr. Bocchino for taking the time to share their wisdom and knowledge of leadership. Thank you very much for the enlightening and stimulating presentations.
