Chandler's Challenge

Chandler's Challenge, also known as IMPACT, was a day of workshops for junior high students presented by the Chandler class on Saturday, January 22, 2011. It was a day where junior high students participated in series of three workshops designed to help them explore their own leadership capabilities, do community service, and learn about and discuss an issue that affects their lives.

Chandler's Challenge helped junior high students learn how they can positively impact the community, it served as an opportunity to meet students from other schools, and was also a chance to help them explore their skills and learn how to work as a team.

This challenge was bestowed by their namesake, James L. Chandler. It is by tradition that the fall pledge class namesake honoree gives a challenge upon the pledges.

"This fall, I challenge each pledge class to plan and conduct a special service project for kids...young people. I am asking that this special project be something new. It should reach beyond the traditional existing chapter service projects for youth. It is my wish that this fall the pledges of APO can positively impact over 20,000 children." --James L. Chandler

Workshops

• The first workshop of IMPACT focused on developing skills such as public speaking and networking, and encouraged students to take a leadership role while working in teams to complete different tasks. The goal of this workshop was to provide each student with the confidence and ability to be a leader in their lives.

• The second workshop was a community service project that benefited the Davis community. Projects included writing cards and putting together care packages for young hospital patients in long-term care, making blankets for homeless shelters, and making splints for children who had undergone cleft lip surgery.

• The third workshop was a combined lecture and discussion that centered on issues that adolescents may face either now or in the future, such as cultural and ethnic awareness, planning for the future, self image and acceptance, and bullying.

Changes

This is the first time any pledge class had to do a service project with the entire class. In the past, pledges organized fellowships and service projects within their own pledge group. This challenge required the entire Chandler class to collaborate and work together.