Matthew Duncan, a junior Engineering major here at North Carolina A&T State University, is the President of Metro Aggies and also a member of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Incorporated. He is currently focusing on reaching graduation as well as being sure he is an exceptional member in the community. Although community service is a requirement for both of the organizations Duncan is a part of, he makes it a point to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to be helpful to others. “Community service is an important aspect of life,” said Duncan, “I want to be a person who is exceptional in the caring and commitment to serving others.” After sitting down with Matthew, here are some interesting things I learned about his opinion on community service.
Noravia McCoy: What is your definition of community service?
Matthew Duncan: To me, community service is any act by a person that is beneficial to community. It is also when you do something for someone else without the intentions of getting a reward or money.
NM: How serious is it for you to spread the word to other students about the importance of community service?
MD: It is very important for me to spread the word about community service to other students. Not only will it help others, but it will also make the person lending the helping hand feel some sense of pride. Personally, each time I am able to help someone I feel like I have accomplished something, even if it is just a small duty such as donating to a canned food or clothing drive.
NM: How often do you plan or organize community service events for you organizations?
MD: Very often, although each of the organizations I am apart of has a person appointed to planning community service, I still take the time to find community service opportunities and present them with my ideas.
NM: What is your favorite type of community service project?
MD: I don’t have a particular service that I enjoy doing the most. However, I do like working with children. I currently participate in a lunch buddy program at a local elementary school. Every Thursday me and a couple of members from Metro Aggies go out to The Washington Montessori School to have lunch with the students and serve as mentors to them.
NM: As a leader, have you ever had to discipline or counsel a member? How did that make you feel?
MD: As president of an organization, I have had to discipline others. There was a time when one of the board members was not carrying out their duties. I consulted with him as about how we would fix the issue. We came to an agreement that he really couldn't devote the time that it took to carry out certain projects, and he ended up resigning his position, but he also stated he would help his replacement in whatever capacity he could. I felt as though we had come to the conclusion together, rather than him thinking I was criticizing his performance.
Noravia McCoy: What is your definition of community service?
Matthew Duncan: To me, community service is any act by a person that is beneficial to community. It is also when you do something for someone else without the intentions of getting a reward or money.
NM: How serious is it for you to spread the word to other students about the importance of community service?
MD: It is very important for me to spread the word about community service to other students. Not only will it help others, but it will also make the person lending the helping hand feel some sense of pride. Personally, each time I am able to help someone I feel like I have accomplished something, even if it is just a small duty such as donating to a canned food or clothing drive.
NM: How often do you plan or organize community service events for you organizations?
MD: Very often, although each of the organizations I am apart of has a person appointed to planning community service, I still take the time to find community service opportunities and present them with my ideas.
NM: What is your favorite type of community service project?
MD: I don’t have a particular service that I enjoy doing the most. However, I do like working with children. I currently participate in a lunch buddy program at a local elementary school. Every Thursday me and a couple of members from Metro Aggies go out to The Washington Montessori School to have lunch with the students and serve as mentors to them.
NM: As a leader, have you ever had to discipline or counsel a member? How did that make you feel?
MD: As president of an organization, I have had to discipline others. There was a time when one of the board members was not carrying out their duties. I consulted with him as about how we would fix the issue. We came to an agreement that he really couldn't devote the time that it took to carry out certain projects, and he ended up resigning his position, but he also stated he would help his replacement in whatever capacity he could. I felt as though we had come to the conclusion together, rather than him thinking I was criticizing his performance.
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