Dates: May 29-June 2

Organization: Youth Work Ireland 

Project Goal: Organize and host Youth Work Ireland's 2023 PRIDE event!

Please see my reflection below:

1) What went well? I cannot believe I have already concluded week one of my Summer 2023 Leadership in Action Project! As I have yet to arrive in Dublin, Ireland, I dedicated this week to remote preparation. Our team has a big goal: To organize and host a PRIDE event for over 700 youth from all over Ireland! This week, I took my first steps as the intern to make this goal happen. I introduced myself to the team (which went splendidly), familiarized myself with the basics of our operations, created two separate data sheets with feedback from the past year's event, and I began to reach out to local vendors! Additionally, I also packed for my trip abroad! It was a great and effective first week.

2) What could have been done differently? In full honesty, week one was pretty effective and smooth. If I were to have made a change, I would love to have arrived at my first day of work with a list of ten possible community partnerships/ vendors for our event. I had a small list, but the more the merrier! As I found out, booking art/ food vendors will be a big part of my role, and I believe this preparation would have made my work even more effective! But I live and learn! I am tackling this head on and contacting all the vendors that I can find.

3) What did I learn about myself when working with others? First and foremost, I learned that I actually enjoy small talk and team introductions! Despite my remote location for this first week, I feel more engaged and excited with the team as I participated in small talk and even "name games." As I grow to really cherish collaborative team environments, I have come to appreciate these small initial gestures more and more. I believe this really speaks to my appreciation for community trust, respect, and care within my team settings. I look forward to continuing my commitment to these values as this project progresses.

4) What did I learn about leadership? My supervisor believes the best work is produced from early investment in community building. From the first moment I joined the initial call, my boss engaged both myself and my coworkers. We came to quickly know each other's names, develop a comfortable level of familiarity, and I could feel the excitement for our work ahead. Thus, I learned this: Invest early in community, and the entire team will reap the benefits going forwards. 

5) What do I want to develop or focus on next? My first goal is to arrive in Ireland! From there, I will continue my engagement with local vendors. Lastly, I am excited to discover the small, creative ways that I can contribute to my team and the safe space that we are creating.