Making Things Happen

Why Making Things Happen?

In every day and age – no less in our own time – there are challenges which both society and individuals face.  It is not enough simply to navigate one’s own way through these challenges.  There is a need for men in every sector of civic life who dedicate their talent, time, and energy in service to those around them.  In other words, there is a need for men who can make things happen, men who are leaders.  The goal of the Making Things Happen seminar is to spur young men on in their development of key leadership virtues and skills, specifically:

• Fortitude
• Good judgment
• Spirit of service
• Professional excellence
• Effective communication

Components of Making Things Happen

To start the week, three professional men will each present an issue requiring leadership today in America. During the rest of the week, students will prepare a presentation which offers a practical solution to one of the problems mentioned by a speaker. Written materials with background information on each issue will be provided to the students.

On the final evening, each student will give a brief, formal presentation of his solution to a panel of professional men. The panel will evaluate each speech based on its analysis of the issue, its proposed solution, the logic of its argument, and its rhetorical effectiveness.

Students will receive instruction on the basic principles of public speaking as part of the week-long seminar.

Topics covered in the past have included organ transplants, autonomous vehicles, education in low-income communities, and anti-discrimination law.

The program will include talks and discussions on leadership virtues, and students will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a staff member about ways to exercise leadership in their everyday environment in the upcoming year.

The overall goals of the program are to give students a greater awareness of the challenges facing their local and national community and to inspire students to exercise leadership in their daily life.

The daily schedule will include free time for sports and competitive games. Daily Mass and times of prayer will be offered for those interested.

Participants will stay at Windmoor Study Center in South Bend, IN blocks away from the University of Notre Dame campus.