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Stephanie Soto
Shadowing Experience
HDF 413
11/2/15
On October 24th, I shadowed a retreat for Student Senate. The retreat was held in the
Atrium 2, Room 306, and Room 318 of the Memorial Union. The goals of the retreat were to
increase the overall understanding of others view points before evaluating the circumstances. At
this retreat, there were about 30 participants. All of which actively participated throughout the
entire retreat. I really enjoyed that their enthusiasm and positive energy during every activity.
The first activity that we did was Where the Wind Blows. I was a little nervous about this
activity because in the past, participants werent too fond of this activity. Fortunately, everyone
loved the activity and was able to learn more about one another which was very surprising.
Because this is a close group, I expected for most people to know a lot about one another. It was
very rewarding seeing this organization learn more about one another which in return will
strengthen the bods within each and every member.
After the energizer, we did an activity that is very close to a personality test. We had the
members fill out a worksheet that would describe what type of person they were. We then asked
them to get into groups categorized by the results from their worksheet and then had them
discuss about why or why not they thought that they belonged in that group. In the future, it
would be best to cut the discussions short. Some groups couldnt stop talking while others barely
shared a word. Even though all the facilitators and shadows were there to help the conversation
move along, it was clear that some of the conversation were forced or very repetitive because
they felt the pressured to talk.

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After this activity, we read them a serious of scenarios and asked how they would react. I
really liked this activity because it showed how their personality results affected how they would
react. I thought that this activity went really well because everyone was able to understand how
their peers think about the same situations differently. The members were able to recognize that
everyones mindset is going to be different than yours so when handling situations, it is
important to think about where the other person is coming from. This directly correlates to how
they make decisions in Senate. This activity showed them the importance of fully assessing the
situation before tackling it.
Before we conducted this activity, I had an idea of what questions I wanted to ask after
they explained how they would react to the scenario. I quickly learned that if I were to ask those
questions, I wouldnt let them be in control of how the conversation went. In the future, I know
to come with basic and broad questions to get the conversation going. Once it picks up, they can
direct the conversation. I also learned that coming up with questions during the activity is fairly
easy. You can tell what type of questions will get their gears turning and what type of question
will slow it down when you are wrapping up the activity.
In the agenda for the retreat we included the times that each activity should go until. In
the future, it would be best to look at those as loose guidelines and not as a strict schedule. I
found that the group would have benefited from cutting certain activities short and making others
longer. Unfortunately, I was not able to stay for the full retreat due to a family emergency.
However, when I was at the retreat, it was shown that the participants really enjoyed themselves
and got a lot out of the retreat. I learned that most of the time, a retreat never goes as planned, but
if there is a hiccup, your fellow facilitators are there to help you. I loved the overall energy from

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this retreat. Even though I had to leave early, I left knowing that they gained something from my
time spent there which is truly amazing.

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Student Organization Leadership Consultants

Student Senate Retreat
October 24, 2015

Student Senate

Group:
Group Contact & info:
vp@rhodysenate.org

Nick Hetland, (401) 829-3730,

SOLC Contact:
stellavlahakis@my.uri.edu

Stella Vlahakis, (203) 921-9679,

Goal of Retreat:

Increase team aspect of senate, increase discussion and

understanding, understand others points of views before
assessing the situation

# Participants:

55

Date:

10/24/15

Time:

12-4 PM

Location:

Atrium 2, Room 306, Room 318

Facilitators:

Stella, Gabby, Colby, Cory, Trent, Steph, Sophie

Food Requests:

Yes

Special Requests/Needs: None

Retreat Agenda:

Time

Topic/Activity/Location

Facilitator

12:0012:15pm

Introduction of SOLC

Stella

12:1512:25pm
12:25-1:25pm

Collect risk forms

Challenge by Choice,
cellphones
- All together in Atrium 2
Energizer

Trent

Notes/Supplies needed

Extra risk forms

Pens

None

Where the Wind Blows

- All together in Atrium 2
Initiative

Colby,
Sophie,

True Colors quizzes

(55)

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1:30-2:00pm

True Colors
- All together in Atrium 2

Lunch

Cory, Gabby,
Trent, Steph

N/A

None

Cory

None

Pens (55)

- All together in Atrium 2

2:05-2:10pm

Energizer

2:10-3:10pm

3:15-3:50pm

3:50:4:00pm

Evolution
- All together in Atrium 2
Initiative

Colby,
Sophie,
Cory, Gabby,
Trent, Steph

3 sets of Four Corners

signs

Hula hoops

Colby,
Sophie,
Cory, Gabby,
Trent, Steph

Stella, Colby

Evaluations (55)

Four Corners
- Atrium 2: Colby &
Sophie
- Room 306: Cory &
Gabby
- Room 318: Trent &
Steph
Initiative
Helium Hoop
- Atrium 2: Colby &
Sophie
- Room 306: Cory &
Gabby
- Room 318: Trent &
Steph
Closing

United clap
Evaluations
- All together in Atrium 2

Handouts:

Extra Risk forms

Evaluation forms (55)
True Color quizzes (55)
Three sets of Four Corners signs
End of program report

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General Supplies Check list:
-

Pens (55)
Hula hoops