The 2020 Academy Programs
Co-Serve's
Servant Leadership Academy (or "Academy") programs are a significant time
for students as they consider their own purpose in life as servant leaders. These programs
introduce students to real-life examples of people and communities who have
chosen to live according to servant leadership principles. These are found in businesses,
non-profits, educational institutions and in government offices. These examples of love and
service have a powerful impact on students as they consider their own path in life. The
Academy program is set up as a series of experiences. Using regular times of reflection and
journaling, Co-Serve staff help students process what they are learning each day.
In 2020, Co-Serve
will hold two Academy programs - in Kazakhstan and
Oregon. The Kazakhstan program will be held
in Oskemen, Kazakhstan in partnership with the Kazakh-American Free
University. NOTE: Due to the Corona virus situation,
the Kazakhstan program will be postponed. The new dates are
still being determined. The Kazakhstan program introduces students to many emerging examples of servant
leadership in the country including our own graduates who are now
leading their own organizations. The Oregon Academy will be held from July 15 -
August 1 in Portland and includes experiences with great examples of servant
leadership in the Portland area.
In
2020, the two Academy programs will bring together students
from Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Ukraine,
and Thailand. In this cross-cultural context, the Academy works to model the building
of a loving and accepting community where each person is free to consider their true self, along with
their unique gifts, passions and purpose. Co-Serve staff lead a variety of activities and discussions
to help in this process. As a result, the Academy serves to help students see how a strong community can be
built with people from different perspectives and backgrounds that serves and empowers each person.
The Need
Our
challenge each year is to help our students from around the
world to attend our Servant Leadership Academies. In 2020,
we anticipate a record number of 35 students will attend our two programs - with about 20
students attending the program in Kazakhstan and 15 students attending the program in
Oregon. Every student will be covering part of the cost of their attendance. Many students
will cover all of the cost of their international travel and pay a small fee toward
the cost of the program itself. For some students facing difficult economic situations, Co-Serve
will help to cover part of the cost of their travel.
We
calculate that we will need $17,500, in addition to the money invested
by the students, to cover the cost of the two Academy programs. This includes the cost of local
travel, meals, lodging, special events, and materials during the programs. This also
includes the cost of helping some students with their travel. As such, Co-Serve is
asking for your help to raise $17,500 to fund our 2020 Academy Scholarship Fund.
For 35 students, this is a need of $500 per student. Your gift of any amount will be used to
create this much needed fund. Please choose an option below to make your
donation to support the 2020 Academy Scholarship Fund. If you have any questions, or if you
would like to designate your gift to support a particular Academy program or student, please
send us an e-mail at info@co-serve.org.