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Common Reading Spring 2022 – Faculty Fellow Guide

Drury University > Robert and Mary Cox Compass Center > Common Reading Spring 2022 – Faculty Fellow Guide

“This book is for entrepreneurs at heart or in practice – or both. It is for those who are searching for their own personal meaning in their work, and seeking to transform their meaning into a vocation.”

The Faculty Advising Fellows are hosting a spring Common Reading event featuring the book “Meaningful Work: A Quest to Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul” by Shawn and Lawren Askinosie.

Shawn Askinosie is the founder of Askinosie Chocolates, an award-winning, small-batch chocolate company in Springfield. Lawren Askinosie is a Drury graduate and Co-Owner and Chief Marketing Officer at Askinosie Chocolates.

The Common Reading takes place from March 4 to April 29, 2022. We’re reading the book in four (4) sections and will have in-person and Zoom conversations with participants.

Important details:

  1. The Common Reading takes place from March 4th to April 29th.
  2. We will read the book in four sections and meet in Lay Hall (or Zoom) on the following dates:
    1. Friday, March 4, 12-1
    2. Friday, March 25, 12-1 – With guests Shawn and Lawren Askinosie!!
    3. Friday, April 8, 12-1
    4. Friday, April 29, 12-1 – Special event afterwards!

The book will be distributed to interested students beginning February 21st in 126 Bay Hall. When participants receive their book and provide their email, they will be notified of discussion times and prompts as well as Zoom links. 

The Common Reading is funded by a grant from the CIC NetVUE Foundation.

Thank you for participating! #DUread4calling #DUCommonReading #DUMeaningfulWork

SESSION 1: FEBRUARY 21-MARCH 4; DISCUSSION TAKES PLACE MARCH 4

  • Read pages ix to 24 which includes the Introduction and Chapter One
  • Discussion: Friday, March 14, 12-1, Lay Hall and Zoom (the link will be sent via email)

Discussion questions, Session 1:

  • How did the author’s early experiences with his dad shape his future?
  • What does the author mean when he talks about the mystery of service and vocation?
  • In what ways does the author live out the title of Chapter One: Find Meaning in Your Work, or Else it Just Might Kill You?
  • Define what vocation means to you.
  • How is your personal vocation different from your business vocation?
  • Have you had a life-shifting moment similar to the author’s after Debbie’s case?
  • What step to finding your personal vocation is most meaningful to you? Why?

Homework: Think about what you will ask authors Shawn and Lawren Askinosie

SESSION 2: MARCH 5-MARCH 25; DISCUSSION TAKES PLACE FRIDAY, MARCH 25, WITH SPECIAL GUESTS SHAWN AND LAWREN ASKINOSIE!

  • Read pages 25-91 which includes Chapters Two and Three.
  • Discussion: Friday, March 25, 12-1, Lay Hall and Zoom (the link will be sent via email)

Discussion questions, Session 2:

  • What is your personal mission statement? What would some essential components be?
  • How does Maslow’s hierarchy of needs fit into your business vocation?
  • How would you define meaningful work? What would you like to experience in your future work life?
  • On p. 45 the author provided a quote about authentic selfhood. What is your authentic self? How does your authentic self fit with your future vocation?
  • How does your community fit in with your future work? What is your personal responsibility to your community through your vocation?
  • What are some ways that Askinosie Chocolate has impacted their community here and with the cocoa bean farmers?

SESSION 3: MARCH 26-APRIL 8; DISCUSSION TAKES PLACE FRIDAY, APRIL 8

  • Read pages 92-128 which is Chapter Four
  • Discussion: Friday, April 8, 12-1, Lay Hall and Zoom (the link will be sent via email)

Discussion questions, Session 3:

  • How does open-book management impact Askinosie Chocolate?
  • What are the pros and cons of Fair Trade? Do you think it is worth it? Why or why not?
  • Is it important to distinguish between Direct Trade and Fair Trade? Why or why not?
  • On pp. 116-119 the author talks about Relationship Sustainability. What struck you about that concept?

SESSION 4: APRIL 8-APRIL 29; DISCUSSION TAKES PLACE FRIDAY, APRIL 29, WITH SPECIAL SESSION AFTERWARDS!

  • Read pages 129-185 which includes Chapter Five and Six
  • Discussion: Friday, April 8, 12-1, Lay Hall and Zoom (the link will be sent via email)

Discussion questions, Session 4:

  • Think about the Unilever and Target stories from Chapter 5. What are your thoughts about them? What lesson did the author learn about the scale of his chocolate business?
  • How did Vanier’s message of love, service, hope, and compassion change the author?
  • What are your thoughts on this quote found on p. 135: “Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals…”
  • There are several examples in Chapter 5 of visioning and those visions coming true. One story is that of Elizabeth. Did you have any connections with her as you read her story?
  • Also of note is the Vanier quote on page 148. The little lamps. How might you apply that in your own life?
  • What do you think about the author’s Rule of Life? What might your Rule of Life look like?
  • What are your thoughts on the author’s visits to the Abbey?
  • What might your retreats in life look like?