PowerPoint Presentation by Pamela Sanders Ellis, Ph.D.

     What connotes successful curriculum integration of organizational values and personal ethics?

             • Literature discussion, self-assessment of personal values, student role-playing, and journey mapping.
             • Campus, state, and online leadership development academies to demonstrate professional ethical    
                identity success.
             • Qualitative research that examines the experiences of individuals “on the path toward constructive 
               professional ethical development” (Harbour et al., 2007, p. 181).

Harbour, C. P., Anderson, S. K., & Davies, T. G. (2007). The consequences of compromised ethical identity development in community college leadership. In D. A. Hellmich (Ed.), Ethical leadership in the community college: Bridging theory and daily practice (pp. 61-76). Bolton, MA: Anker

        

            PowerPoint Presentation by Pamela Sanders Ellis, O.D., Ph.D.
        
        The racial/ethnic and national achievement gap in STEM disciplines remains an area of concern for parents, educators, business leaders, and federal/state policy makers. Educational support programs/organizations and community service opportunities provide purpose, meaningful problem statements, and reasoning frameworks for students. Additionally, an understanding of social and physical interrelationships, self-reliance concepts with hands-on opportunities are explored by students in educational support program presentations of how systems develop, are maintained, and ultimately impact our everyday life.
        

        

Hello Everyone! I just want to say how enjoyable last month’s dialogue was regarding the message from Nancy Pelosi to American daughters.

I especially felt that we did agree on a shared sense of legacy in respect to the democratic value of caring for others and not solely ourselves. We do understand how truly fortunate we are to have all that we have when so many live day to day without a good education, employment, and the basic necessities of life even still in our own county, country, and elsewhere on the planet.

Sarah, thank you for choosing this month’s book selection, “Whatever it takes”! This is the attitude that we need in our leaders and in all citizens to succeed in the 21st Century! It will take a commitment to “quality relationships” as a priority. Herein is where our true strength and security as individuals and as a nation lies.

I hope everyone will make a commitment to “push the envelope” by reading and discussing the issues! The book group is a phenomenal way to do this! Thank you Ginny for giving us a history of how JCODW was founded! Your vision and work ethic is needed in the U.S. Congress. You have my vote!

        

The loneliest day of the year is reported by many to be Valentine’s Day.  The fact that Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday bears special significance.  People who don’t profess or perhaps just take for granted a relationship with God, family, a significant other, friends and community members feel lonely.  Even if we don't fall in either of these two categories, we are all still susceptible to feelings of loneliness.  On this day, we are forced to examine what actions we should take or not take towards those we hold within the special bond known as love.
 
First of all, we must know what love signifies.  What is the actual meaning of love?  The definition, I suspect, poses the most difficulty.  God is love, a simple and profoundly complex statement at once. (1John 4:8)  God sacrificed himself for us.  Love is self-sacrifice.  Do we dare to do the same for Him and others?
 
Do we fully know God?  No, we don’t.  Nor can we fully know Him. (1 Cor. 13:12)  God reveals Himself by degrees to those that He so favors and chooses.  Let us, likewise, choose to love Him and others.

Creatively finding ways to say “I love you” is a challenge.  As parents, a very special way to demonstrate love toward our children is to organize a treasured book of memories that contain cherished keepsakes that chronicle special moments in our children’s life journey. If your child ever experiences a time of loneliness (and most likely they will), they can reflect on the memories found in the pages to remember just how special they are to God, their family, and community.
 
Often times, there is a lack of positive affirmation in our daily experiences that over time can contribute to lowering of self-esteem in both children and adults.  To prevent this process from occurring, plan special moments daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly to assure that your child understands their importance in this world.
 
A daily devotional reading, a weekly church and family/social event, a quarterly field trip, and a yearly vacation are all ways to ensure that you and your children are experiencing life in its fullest while making historical legacy memories.  In your self-giving, it is also important to reward yourself at times because you are very special also.
 
To all St. Valentine’s Day detractors, I know to some degree it is a “commercial” holiday.  Truthfully, if something is good...genuine love is very good...there will be a market for it.  What is the price tag for true love?  “If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised” (SS 8:7).
 
The more love you give, the more love you receive in return.  To say that we love is one thing, to make special efforts on behalf of others follows in the footsteps of Jesus, the Divine Lover of our souls.  Don't let His love be unrequited!

        

       As a U.S. citizen, I am outraged by the reported mishandling of Haitian relief by the U.S. military in Haiti.  According to news reports on WPFW in D.C. today by Bishop Judy Fisher and others, the U.S. controlled airport and other areas have "deliberately" bottlenecked the aid of food and water that Haitian organizations are attempting to distribute to the people.  I am further outraged by what appears to be gross inefficiency, a U.S. takeover, and a condescending attitude toward the indigenous organizations of Haiti.  In effect, there seems to be a deliberate policy to allow by attrition as much loss of life as possible.
        Bishop Judy Fisher of Mercy Outreach Ministry International, who along with other Haitian organizations have worked in Haiti for years, requests that everyone call and write letters to the White House and to the U. S. State Department immediately expressing these concerns!  The phone numbers are:  White House 202-456-1414, U. S. State Department  202-647-4000.  Save a life! You would want others to do the same for you!  Call and/or contact by their website email right now!   Contribute financially and volunteer with Bishop Judy Fisher and others at www.rebuildhaititoday.org. 
 
Let us continue to pray and act for the people of Haiti and for other dispossessed people throughout our lives on this earth.

        

          The article below as well as many other news sources cite the excellent work of The World Food Program in getting food to Haitians suffering through the earthquake disaster.  They have already delivered a quarter of a million meals to the people of Haiti.  Let's give them our full prayerful, financial, and physical support!
 
           Here is their website link:  http://www.friendsofwfp.org/site/c.hrKJIXPFIqE/b.5027069/k.8AF0/Featured_Appeal.htm

Quotes from the article:

          The World Food Program said more than 250,000 ready-to-eat food rations had been distributed in Haiti by Tuesday, reaching only a fraction of the 3 million people thought to be in desperate need.  The WFP said it needs to deliver 100 million ready-to-eat rations in the next 30 days, but it only had 16 million meals in the pipeline.

Heroine of Haitian Faith featured in the article:  Ena Zizi   

          Ena Zizi, who is 69 years old, had been at a church meeting at the residence of Haiti's Roman Catholic archbishop when the Jan. 12 quake struck, trapping her in debris. On Tuesday (7 days later), she was rescued by a Mexican disaster team.  Zizi said after the quake, she spoke back and forth with a vicar who also was trapped.  But he fell silent after a few days, and she spent the rest of the time praying and waiting.  "I talked only to my boss, God," she said. "I didn't need any more humans.  "Doctors who examined Zizi on Tuesday said she was dehydrated and had a dislocated hip and a broken leg.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
For the complete news article follow the link below:

New 6.1-quake hits Haiti, people flee into streets
http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx/world/latinamerica/APNews/LatinAmerica/20100120/U_CB-Haiti-Earthquake?pageid=1

        

My Ship is Coming in…2010?


Because I have asked for him from the Lord (1 Samuel 1: 20).

Hannah must have known the sweet ecstasy of deliverance.

What have you asked the Lord for?  What are you in anguish about?

I am naming what I want…justice…and I’m taking the right actions to claim what is

rightfully…mine…deliverance and peace.

I would have been in anguish but I’ve…

Picked up the gauntlet…the Sword of the Spirit…

Cast out the net…Dear Jesus…laboring all night long…

I am in "no ways" tired…Fanny Lou Hamer.

        

"...He stooped down and wrote on the ground." (John 8:8)

 In 2009, A line is drawn in the sand.

While some of us focus our efforts on being crafted as God's instruments of love and mercy, there are others who expend the energy of their life on being instruments of hatred and vengeance. Vengeance is defined as, "infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person."1  It is further described as a phrase:

"with a vengeance",
a.  with force or violence.
b.  greatly; extremely.
c.  to an unreasonable, excessive, or surprising degree1

We know the message of "salvation and healing" found in The New Testament is "all about" forgiveness and reconciliation.  Who has Barack Obama injured, harmed, or humiliated by seeking and obtaining the presidency of the United States? 

Let those with self-perceived justifications for hatred and vengeance toward the American President or others, who are self-professed Christians, remember that Scripture teaches, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." (Hebrews 10:30).  We are commanded by Scripture to pray "for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1Tim. 2:1-4).   As believers in Christ, we must obey this and all other of "His commands."

God allows leaders in authority who will sometimes choose good or bad actions, and for such they will be judged in accordance with the election process and by the legal system here on earth before the final judgment.  Our prayers for American Presidents have always been for their safety and that they would heed the voice of God in their decision-making.  The good that we have desired for their family, we have desired for all families around the world.  Why would the American Christian community want something different for Barack Obama and his family?

Due to my belief in the assurances of God's words, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,"  I don't, and the genuine Christians that I know don't, spend a minute of our lives on "a plan to injure, harm, or humiliate any human being on the planet."  This does not mean that we don't utilize our legitimate power to remove people from leadership positions "when warranted" who we believe don't serve the very best interests of the common good "with civility."

Those who are, now, gleefully throwing "vengeance stones" at President Obama, his family, and for that matter, you and I, in the "Name of Jesus the Christ and Lord" are becoming known to all of us.  On which side of "the line of decision" are you on? 

In Expectation of His Second Coming,

Pamela Sanders Ellis, Ph.D.
President/Co-Founder/Author
Harambee Conference, LLC.
www.harambeeconference.com
www.thepathoflifeguidebook.com

1American Psychological Association (APA):
vengeance. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 06, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vengeance

        

        Pamela Sanders Ellis, Ph.D.


        From the beginning, we were engaged with blessings to be fruitful, as well as to multiply, filling and subduing the earth while exercising our dominion “over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Does this general directive apply to a select few, or to every living human on the planet? In the image of God, we are created, “…male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27) 

        Those with Biblically-based faith understand God as possessing intelligence, emotions, and a will to exercise power, or creative change, in our environment. As people, we all, also, possess these attributes. According to the tenets of jus naturale, the law of nature, the law of reason, “power is conceded” by the decision of individual persons. If this is so, where then does concepts of low self-esteem and subsequent social systems of degradation originate? Without question, leadership reforms are needed throughout all areas of education in civic and religious society for this reason.

        There are various leadership models in operation that affect our daily life. Transactional leadership, autocratic or command-and-control leadership, as well as the exceptional, servant leadership are all types of leadership styles among others. Additionally, there are charismatic and transformational leaders. Leadership styles can be either benevolent or malevolent. Good leaders rationally demonstrate to others how their knowledge, skills, and abilities will benefit identified shared outcomes within an organization. Poor leaders assume that people have no choice or other alternative than to blindly follow, check their conscience at the door, and not “give voice” to oppressive social, educational, work, and environmental conditions due to fear of adverse reprisals.

        To what extent are we good or poor leaders, and to what extent are we followers within our homes, workplaces, civic, and religious social structures and world systems? Isn’t it so much easier to capitulate our God-given leadership responsibility to someone else? To be sure, we do have “positional” leaders who, ideally, serve the rhema voice of God speaking to us, individually and collectively, as a people in our various organizations and institutions. In reality, positional leaders are also prone to errors in judgment from which, we should guard ourselves from being unnecessary victims.

        Interestingly, a model for leadership espoused by Goucher College in Baltimore, MD for all undergraduate students is the model that I believe many would find agreement in that it affirms holistic principles of human dignity for everyone regardless of “position” in an organization. In highlighting their student leadership program a reference states, 

        We believe that all persons have leadership potential and that their particular gifts, talents, and skills can be enhanced through education, training, and development. Furthermore, we believe that leadership is a process, not a position. (Goucher, 2009)

        Leadership learning outcomes at Goucher College include:

• the development of critical thinking skills
• understanding change processes and obstacles of change
• knowledge of diverse cultures, cross-culture communication, and the dynamics
  of privilege and oppression
• understanding how ethics, morals, and values relate to their leadership dilemmas
• being able to integrate their lived experiences into their leadership development
  process (Goucher, 2009)

       More importantly to this discussion, would people possessing these leadership attributes be accepted in each of our social institutions of culture, business, and worship? Are they warmly welcomed or would they be “targeted”, viewed with suspicion, and labeled as trouble-makers? Most likely, if they are strict adherents to ideal principles, it seems that they may be “weeded out” during the interview process. How many of the institutions that you, personally, are affiliated with actually utilize or teach shared, participatory leadership principles? If your answer is none, or a low number, then you see the problem.

       Agents of change, often, don’t directly reap the benefits that they garner for others and may end up at low levels in “valueless” institutions. It is so much easier to be rewarded transactionally based on whatever is established in an “unstated” manner within a particular institution. A “worldly payoff” or “rise to the top” may be attained by those who “go along to get along” within what very often may be an unscrupulous system. This is not to say that every “positional” leadership person or institution will lack integrity. I hope that we will support those who most closely represent our values as positional leaders when warranted by taking ambiguities into consideration. 

        In summary, good leadership is shared and involves sacrifice with an accompaniment of variously possible rewards. Acting as agents of change under the direction of rhema principles, we will fulfill our leadership responsibilities locally, nationally, and throughout the world community.

Goucher College (2009). Undergraduate-student leadership program. Retrieved on August 24, 2009, from http://www.goucher.edu/x30489.xml

        

         Political administrations in the U.S., since the 1980s, have, in effect, closed the door to higher education for many individuals from low to moderately-low income families. Federal and state public financing for higher education shifted over this period from student aid in the form of need-based grants to, primarily, loan-based funding paradigms. Although minority participation rates in higher education have increased over the past two decades, the graduation rates particularly from community colleges, the least expensive alternative for those seeking higher education, remains significantly lower for black students than those for white students (NCES, 2003). Black students attending public and private four year institutions have, in comparison, higher graduation rates, however the rising costs of attending these institutions results in prohibitive entry due to inadequate public funding of federal and state grant programs. Projected increases in minority participation in higher education without accompanying adequate funding strategies can result in a loss of revenue, programs, and even institutions that have, within the American tradition, provided great benefit to individual citizens and to society, in general.
         Reductions in grant-based student aid in higher education has required the shouldering of enormous debt burdens by families that cannot reasonably be met by those earning moderate-level incomes. The debt-burden of American families, in general, is also evidenced by the decline in U. S. savings rates, which is shown to be the lowest among industrial nations. 
         American Black family income is $29,982/year, 36% lower than White median family incomes of $47,194/year (U. S. Census, 2002). While black and white students who enter community colleges possess similar expectations of associate degree completion, 44.3% and 50.7% respectively, black students’ associate and bachelor degree attainment rates after enrollment in community colleges are 7.7% and 3.1% respectively. In comparison, white students entering community colleges have associate degree attainment rates of 16.8% and bachelor degree rates of 12.0% (NCES, 2003).
         Higher education leaders must craft cogent arguments for increases in funding initiatives for students and for higher education institutions, in general. The Nobel laureate economist, Milton Friedman, argued that government support of education is justified in order to sustain democracy. Consensus-building is required to adequately define for the 21st century the term ‘minimum schooling’ to include the public funding of K-16 education for those students with unmet financial need at American higher education institutions. 
         For example, the Institute for Higher Education Policy may be in a strategic position to work with student, parent and community organizations to mobilize policy-based interest groups on K-16 financing in higher education. Their mission is to “increase access and success in postsecondary education around the world through unique research and innovative programs that inform key decision makers who shape public policy and support economic and social development” (IHEP, 2009, p.1).  Dispossessed lower-income interest groups of all races within our nation, as well as those who are more economically fortunate with a “social conscience” must act to ensure that acceptable public funding paradigms for American K-16 education is restored.

Institute for Higher Education Policy (2009). Retrieved on June 14, 2009, from http://www.ihep.org/
National Center for Education Statistics (2003). Community College Students: Goals, Academic Preparation, and Outcomes.   
        Postsecondary Education Descriptive Analysis Reports. Retrieved on June 14, 2009, 
        from  http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003164.pdf">http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003164.pdf
National Center for Education Statistics (2003). Table 7a. Percentage distribution of 1995–96 beginning postsecondary students first 
        enrolled in public 2-year institutions according to highest degree attained through 2001, by various student characteristics. 
        Retrieved on June 14, 2009, from /%3Ca%20href=">http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003164.pdf
U. S. Census (2002). Income 2002. Retrieved on October 23, 2004 from
        http://www.census.gov/hhes/income/income02/3yr_avg_race.html
U. S. Department of Education (2001). Access Denied: Restoring the Nation’s Commitment to Equal Educational Opportunity. A 
        Report of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. Retrieved on June 14, 2009, from
        http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/acsfa/access_denied.pdf