By Lily Gerlach
Thank You!!
Hey everyone! Food Group here! Thank you to everyone who attended our event, “Beyond Ramen,” and supported our journey through the BLI Leadership Seminar! Our event featured free healthy MDining catering (including dietary options) and an interactive Q&A with a university nutritionist to promote proper nutrition. To measure success, we used table surveys to assess whether attendees could apply the nutrition knowledge they gained. The results were positive, with an average score of 4.4/5 and a median of 5! We aimed for 25 participants and surpassed this with registrations, though not everyone attended. However, we made sure the leftover food didn’t go to waste by sharing it with attendees. Thank you all!
Challenges?
Our team worked exceptionally well—everyone showed up, contributed, and participated! Outside our team, we faced challenges like booking a room and arranging catering. To solve these, we met before class to discuss attendee dietary needs, catering options, and Michigan League room availability. Using registration form feedback and aligning schedules, we secured a location and resolved issues through communication and compromise.
Leadership Skills!!
We effectively utilized organization and communication skills, aligning with the BLI habit of “Building a Team,” to bring our event to fruition. Initially uncertain about our project’s direction, we collaborated to develop a shared vision by brainstorming ideas, both good and bad. Once the vision was set, we divided roles that became more balanced as our teamwork strengthened. We also embraced the BLI habit of “Value Difference” by leveraging each team member’s strengths, such as Adam’s MDining connections and Lidia’s organizational skills, to enhance efficiency and group dynamics. Tasks were later assigned based on availability and equity, allowing team members to step outside their comfort zones and gain new experiences. Communication and recognition of our differences, including varied majors and work experiences, helped us address project challenges collaboratively. Using the BLI habit of “Engage the World,” we identified primary stakeholders—such as students and school nutritionists—and sought their feedback to refine our event. By incorporating their insights, we enhanced both attendee engagement and the overall impact of our project.
Future Applications!!
The “Value Difference” BLI habit—understanding team members’ backgrounds and strengths— applies to team dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Embracing differences, whether through task assignment or new perspectives, strengthens collaboration. Overcoming challenges encouraged us to adapt, leverage our unique skills, and stay true to our values, helping us succeed in both our project and future endeavors!
Next Steps?
Our project concluded with a one-page nutrition handout summarizing key event takeaways. The experience transformed how our team views nutrition, cooking, and affordable meal preparation. We also debunked myths, like canned or frozen foods being less nutritious than fresh ones, and shared this knowledge with others. Some team members plan to stay engaged with the BLI through events and the Michigan Leadership Certificate program. Overall, this project was a valuable opportunity to learn about leadership and event planning!
