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Philadelphia
  • Bailey Pfingsten
  • Bailey Pfingsten

Philadelphia

A 8-day adventure by Bailey Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 9, 2017
    Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Take off

    May 9, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Philadelphia here we come! Can't wait to start this journey with some awesome people and make some meaningful memories!

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Salvation Army

    May 10, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Question 8:
    “Write about a Philadelphia leader.”
    The leaders we worked with were all very dynamic in who they are and how they serve. It is their humility that makes them such dynamic servant leaders. One of the leaders was a walking advertisement for her organization and her mission. Major Susan was our ‘hostess’ as we worked for the Philadelphia local Salvation Army.
    While we worked, Major Susan wore many hats: she hosted as she made us comfortable and assured we had what we needed; she instructed as she taught us about the mission of the Salvation Army. Beyond that, she was a leader and a servant.
    Our primary task at the Salvation Army was to sort toys and gifts for children. The toys and gifts were donated from the people of Philadelphia through various drop off centers in the city. We sorted those toys into different categories of boxes. Major Susan worked along with us.
    Major Susan spoke passionately about the mission and motto of the Salvation Army including “The Gift of Hope. Her passion came through in her teaching and in her service. The Salvation Army has an insignia of a red shield, that shield of hope. Major Susan wore a shirt that not only advertised what the organization what but also who she was as a leader. It read, ‘I am a shield.’ That is a great quality in a leader, she not only supports the mission of the organization, she lives and becomes the mission. What stood out to me about Major Susan is that she truly is that shield of hope for the children of Philadelphia. She is the Salvation Army.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    The Loft

    May 10, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Question 3: “What about the service experiences is different than the service we do on the team”?

    I chose a picture of the loft to symbolize what I felt was the “big picture” of how these service experiences were different than the service work we do on the leadership team. Although I enjoyed our accommodations at the hostel better than those at the loft, the loft was important because we were immersed within the culture we were hoping to serve. That immersion is something I witnessed within the leaders that worked with us at the various sites. They do not just show up, put in a few manual labor hours and get out. They have become an integral part of the neighborhoods and families they serve. Building relationships is important to these servant leaders and the benefit of that belief is seen in every neighborhood and service area we worked in.
    This is not always the case with what we do. We seem to do the same projects year after year for people who expect it. We do not spend long term time with people, getting to understand their situations or their needs. How can we provide the best service if we do not ask the questions about what is needed? We also divvy up the jobs according to schedules and what we can do. For the service we participated in while in Philadelphia we witnessed people asked those questions and gave freely of their time and talents. They built their schedules around the service, not the other way around. Becoming immersed in the community you serve also allows you to see immediate results of the people and families you impact. I think the leadership aspect of service can develop much better in these situations.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Front Step

    May 11, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Question 4: “Describe one act of servant leadership that you have seen in Philadelphia.”

    I had my eyes opened to what servant leadership looks like in action. The leader of Front Step, Wesley Tink, was the most inspirational part of the trip for me. He personified the theory of building relationships with the people you serve. He has built such great relationships with the families in his neighborhoods that they have a deep respect for him. This immersion in the culture has helped him enable the people he serves to serve their neighborhoods as well. He has helped create a culture of family.
    His approach also embodies the selfless aspect of servant leadership. He actually lives in New Jersey yet has built this organization in Philadelphia, and it is a priority for him. The day he worked with us he left New Jersey the day after he had a death in the family because our service project was a priority to him. While we were working on neighborhood parks, he noticed some families in the neighborhood that needed help. So, he shifted gears and had us help those with specific needs. It was a seamless transition for him to survey the site and determine the biggest need.
    This was a great example of knowing the people you serve and being able to see the big picture. This helped me understand the difference between servant leadership and volunteering in your community. This leader did not just put in hours and leave. He was a part of the neighborhood he served and that helped him to lead.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Mural Mile

    May 11, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Question 6
    “What are you hoping to learn about yourself as a leader on this trip?”
    When I left for Philadelphia my hope was to learn more about how to enhance the leadership areas I excel in and how to strengthen those areas that I am weaker in. Each service experience was different and I took away some insight from each one. I also learned things about myself and my team.
    However, it was during my field experience that it hit me. I was amazed by the mile of murals walk that we went on. So many important statements were made through the artwork. It was a mosaic painting that captured my attention and made a connection with me as a leader.
    The mosaic was made up of several picture tiles which were created from hundreds of pixels. Up close the details of the pixels were prominent. However, at a distance it was the ‘Big Picture’ the tiles of pixels came together to create that was in focus. That is how I see successful leadership. I am just one tile of pixels --- different strengths, talents, and ideas. As a successful leader I would surround myself with people made up of different strengths and talents that work together to create one unified vision. Some of those tiles will contain pixels that will challenge me, encourage me, and help me to enhance my leadership areas.
    What I learned is that in terms of murals and artwork, leadership can never be advanced through a self-portrait, something similar to a mosaic is much more productive.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Mural Mile

    May 11, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The wonderful tour guide that we had for the Mural Mile tour where we saw some of the city's amazing art. He was excellent and gave a very fun tour!

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Share

    May 12, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Question 5
    “What have you learned about treating every job as an adventure?”

    Working with the SHARE organization was a different type of service work experience for me. The organization works tirelessly to pack boxes of necessities for those in need. These boxes included items such as: fruit juices, cereals, canned food and meats. There are different packages patrons can choose from. Our leadership team worked like a factory conveyer belt. Each of us was responsible for adding an item to the boxes.
    It was the first service experience I had had that required no thought, planning or creativity. To some that may seem like a dream job because it was so simple. However, it was the most difficult work I have done. That is how I learned the importance of making each job an adventure. One way we did this at this particular site was to set a goal of 1000 boxes packed. We worked hard and fast and encouraged each other to keep going so that we could make or beat the goal we set for ourselves.
    Although this was a small activity to do with our work, it made a big difference in the laborious task. It also made me realize that challenges and team work help to create this adventure we need to seek out in every job we do. Although packing the boxes did not require any great strength or talent from any of us, it required all of us to work together. In any job we approach, if we attack it as a team, think outside the box, and find ways to challenge ourselves, it will be an adventure.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Benjamin Franklin Museum

    May 14, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Question: “What kind of influence will this trip have on you as a leader”?
    I was excited to go to the Benjamin Franklin Museum because he is my mother’s hero so I have grown up hearing about him and listening to his quotes. After touring the museum, I realized that it was the single most impactful experience for me in terms of leadership. On one plaque I read about how Benjamin Franklin was judged for his leadership traits. His ambitious and rebellious nature were viewed in a negative light; yet he persevered and did not shy away from his strengths. His intelligence and work ethic propelled him and drew people to him. However, he always stood up to injustice.
    This resonated with me because justice is a cause I am always willing to fight for. Plus, some of my strongest character traits are viewed as negative attributes. I have always been outspoken, honest, and able to call things as I see them. These traits were never embraced unless someone needed me to address an issue for them. I think often honesty forces people outside of their comfort zones and sometimes the truth hurts, so those willing to speak it are viewed negatively.
    Observing all of the accomplishments made by Benjamin Franklin made me realize that he had a gift for taking those traits and channeling them into a force to drive his projects and ideas. He made great advancements for the nation by using the strengths he had. That is how I need to attack my leadership opportunities. I need to be confident in the strengths I have and learn to channel them productively so that they help build instead of convey a negative connotation.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Christ Church

    May 14, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Question 2: “What about being in Philadelphia is a new experience for you”?

    American history, especially Colonial America, was one of my favorite subjects studied in high school. Philadelphia was a major part of that study. I had viewed various photos and drawings of Christ Church and had heard a lot about its rich history. So, I was excited to attend a church service there while in Philadelphia. As we reached the church that Sunday morning I was amazed at how the building seemed unchanged. The historic steeple commanded attention, just as it had in the photos and drawing. Having grown up in the Methodist church, I was accustomed to the “method” of the church. I was expecting a very traditional service rooted in ceremony.
    What I experienced at Christ Church was something I had never experienced before. The sanctuary was as I imagined with high ceilings and pillars. That is where my expectations stopped. The minister was female; some speculated homosexual. She spoke passionately about people. She argued that all lives matter and discussed how politics does and does not fit into that belief. I have never experienced such a contemporary and edgy church service. I loved the intensity, sincerity and relativity of what all she had to say. Sitting in such an historic pew I was blown away by the liberal approach to the service.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Art Museum

    May 14, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Question 7:
    “What did you learn on the field experiences that helped you understand Philadelphia better?”
    I was not looking forward to the Art Museum the way I had anticipated the American Revolution Museum and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. I have always loved history and studying the past in order to understand the present. I didn’t think the Art Museum would be interesting at all. In fact, early on a lot of what the museum staff said during explanations of paintings did not hold my attention. I just really wanted to know more about Philadelphia.
    There were a few key points that I knew about Philadelphia prior to the trip. These included the basic information such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the site of the Liberty bell, and the fact that the city is called ‘The City of Brotherly Love.’ Once I worked and explored within the city, I realized the City of Brotherly Love began through great vision of its founders and became the strength of the city as following leaders continued to build on the vision of William Penn.
    Even though William Penn had a vision of religious tolerance and of a town that was not regulated by the urban chaos of London, he did not spend all of his time in Philadelphia and therefore, issues like violence and dissent arose. Penn needed the help of other leaders to aid in discipline yet follow his vision. Today Philadelphia stands strong as a city of tolerance. This was evident in our mural walk and sights we observed down town.
    The Art museum was a great symbolic reminder of this foundation and history of Philadelphia. Inside we viewed artwork depicting ships in battle and important events in history. I saw pieces that were direct expressions of what the artists saw or felt at the time. We also viewed artwork by Van Gogh which depicted his passion and pain. The piece, “Rain” was my favorite and it was sad to know that it was the view from his window in the asylum. It made me reflect on how people who are different often suffer in society, which is what Penn desired to erase by building a city based on freedom and tolerance. Then, stepping outside the doors of the museum we were hit with the modern architecture mixed with the old as well as the modern art of the city, including the Rocky statue. The statue is representative of a character who fought against the odds and stayed true to his character. This showed me that Philadelphia is a depiction of past and present connected through a shared vision. When times changed, Philadelphia and its leaders changed with them, yet they maintained the roots of tolerance that the City of Brotherly love was founded on. I may not have enjoyed the art museum as much as the museums that offered historical documents, but it did help me understand Philadelphia a little better.    Read more

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Mother's day

    May 14, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    It was unfortunate to miss out on spending time with my mom on Mother's Day but I learned that Mother's Day was actually founded in Philadelphia!

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Graffiti

    May 15, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Philadelphia is a city that is rooted deep into art. The city tries to look at graffiti in a positive way. There is even a tiny little alley way that is dedicated just to the art of graffiti!

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Tiffany & Co.

    May 15, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Tiffany's is my favorite thing! This was actually my first time every visiting a Tiffany's. Inside the store was a hand written letter from Audrey Hepburn!

  • Bailey PfingstenPhiladelphiaBailey Pfingsten

    Art

    May 15, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    While walking the streets of historic Philadelphia we found a stone carver. This is a vey unique talent!

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