12 Guidelines to
Being a Better Listener

"Food Fight"

1.  Really want to listen.
     Almost all listening problems can be
     overcome by deciding to really hear and be
     interested in people.
2.  Act like a good listener. 
     Be alert, sit straight, lean forward if
     appropriate, and let your face show interest.
3.  Listen to understand
     Don't just listen to be listening; try to really
     understand what is being said.
4.  React!
     Be generous with applause, nod, comments
     questions, and encouragement as
     appropriate.
5.  Stop talking.
     You can't listen while you are talking.  In
     conversation, let the other person finish and
     hear what he or she is say8ing before you go
     on. 
6.  Empathize with the speaker.
     Put yourself in the speaker's place and try to
     clearly see that point of view.
7.  Ask questions.
     When you don't understand, when you need
     further clarification, when you want to show
     you are listening, ask questions.  However,
     don't ask questions that will embarrass or
     put down the other person. 
8.  Concentrate on what the other person is
     saying.
     Focus on the words, the ideas, the feelings
     being expressed, and the body language.
9.  Look at the other person.
     Facial expressions and body language will all
     help the other person communicate with you.
10.  React to idea, not to the person.
      Don't allow your personal attitudes to
      influence your int3erprestation of words.
      Good ideas can come from anyone.
11.  Don't argue mentally.
      If you are trying to understand the other
      person, arguments will set up barriers
      between you.
12.  Avoid hasty judgments.
      Wait until all the facts are submitted before
      you make a judgment about the speaker's
      message.
 

     
     Don't get the wrong idea, this activity does not require getting dirty.  This service project brings together the community and strikes up a bit of friendly competition.  The school year is winding down and one of your council's goals might have been to do more together as a group, or perhaps help the less fortunate.  This project does both! 
    
     Many schools hold Can-Food Drives on a regular basis, however this activity has the student's doing the collecting.  First select which grades will participate and what your school's collection goal will be.  Perhaps you want to collect 500 cans all together.  Then solicit parents to help with transportation and lugging the collected canned goods.
    
     Then select an evening when the students can head out into the community in groups and ask for canned goods from their neighbors.  Make sure you have written documentation of your event, in case people ask why you are collecting food.  Some people will not be willing to participate, but don't let that get you down, just go on to the next house!  You should have a designated time frame for the collection.  Perhaps from 6-8PM on a Wednesday evening.  You can publicize ahead of time so that your neighbors will be ready for you when you arrive. 
    
     The United Nations World Food Day Challenge has sponsored this event in recent years.  Contact their office to see if they are sponsoring a Food Day Challenge in your area.  Your school might be eligible to compete in the nation-wide competition. 
    
     If your schools does not choose to participate on a national level, you still can create a competition between classes.  Research your local food banks and select one or more to receive your donations.  Don't be surprised to collect a great amount of food.  Be ready with trucks, boxes, bags, and people to help cart the donations to the Food Banks. 
    
     This event can create a lot of enthusiasm and even some press.  Be sure that your Commissioner of Publicity has prepared a press release that can be distributed to the local media outlets.  Have fun with this "food fight"!     

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Summer Conference News!

Quote of the Month

Summer Conferences are approaching!

This year TACSC is expanding with a second conference in
Southern California!

You should have already received registration materials in the mail. 
If not, please contact us!

This year's dates are:
Menlo College - Menlo, CA June 19-23

Pitzer College I - Claremont, CA July 3-7

Pitzer College II - Claremont, CA July 10-14

Neumann College - Aston, PA July 31- Aug. 4

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   "I don't want to listen
   to just what you say,
   I want to feel
   what you mean.

   If a man takes off
   his sunglasses,
   I can hear him better.

   For communication
   to have meaning,
   it must have life. 
   It must transcend
   'you and me'
   and become 'us'...
   In a small way
   we then grow
   out of our old selves
   and become something new." 

   Hugh Prather from Notes to Myself

If you have a quote, inspirational story, or activity idea you would like to share with us, please email us at:
TACSC@TACSC.org