THE FINAL POSTING

Throughout the year there have been specific experiences in my service as a part of BYUSA which have prepared me to “go forth to serve” in various aspects and areas of my life. As I reminisce about days gone by, I hope to highlight a few of the moments which have left a lasting imprint upon my soul.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE AS AN ATTORNEY

Right now the dream is to become an attorney and I feel like there will be many opportunities to lead and serve in a position like this. This line of employment, even from New Testament and Book of Mormon days, has had the less than flowery reputation of being cheats, scallywags, and crooks. There is no room for behavior that would get you classified as a “stereotypical” lawyer when you have been trained in the hallowed halls of BYU. Part of my service while I am employed in this position is going to be setting a good example of honest and ethical practice of the law. I believe that one of the best services I can do for my profession is to change individual perceptions of what it means to be an attorney.

I also plan on doing at least 40 hours of pro bono work for those who deserve a good lawyer but cannot afford one. I hope to be able to use my expertise in this field to do some real good for families and individuals. I’m not one to get all pumped up for changing the world but I truly believe in the possibility of changing your community. I think it comes back to the “lift where you stand” principle.

One incident which reinforced this lesson was working with Zach Featherstone on Care Week 2011. He was completely dedicated to making the winter Care Week the best and most successful it could be. He went the extra mile in all of his planning and preparations. He met individually with each committee member to ensure that each knew his or her duty and responsibility. One week when no one could make it to the originally scheduled meeting in the afternoon, Zach invited the team over to his house for dinner, where he wined and dined us and led a great discussion on being accountable for our assignments. He sacrificed work and school to make sure that the booth was manned the week of the event. He made sure every committee member felt appreciated.

An outsider would have said that Winter Care Week 2011 was a total flop. There were only two events and hardly anyone knew about the second one. However, the people who saw and experienced Zach’s leadership and growth know otherwise. I would consider it the most successful event of the year. Zach wasn’t out to change the world and he didn’t. He simply did his duty and magnified his calling. He lifted where he stood. It reminded me of the eternal lines penned by Milton, “God doth not need Either man’s work or his own gifts, who best bear his mild yoke, they serve him best.”

GOING FORTH TO SERVE IN THE CHURCH

One of the big themes early on in the Clubs Area was the importance of proper motives. I found that this was reiterated again and again in many different ways throughout the year. I witnessed first-hand the pure motives that many of our volunteers serve with. There are those who just give so selflessly of their time and talents. The same thing happens in the church. People aren’t monetarily rewarded for the time they put into their callings and the BYUSA volunteers are the same way and I think they do it for the same reason. They believe in the vision.

Charne’ was the finest example of catching the vision. Watching her week in and week out plan Clubs Night and work with her peeps was one of the more inspiring performances of the year. She always had such a positive attitude about her assignment. I want to be that way with my church callings. In times past I have had a bad attitude about having to do such and such, especially in the singles ward. Something as simple as having to play the piano every week sometimes removed the sunshine from my soul. I think that when we catch the vision, we realize the true importance of even the smallest callings. Charne’ knew that she was tilling and cultivating her little plot of Zion each Tuesday night.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY

Ever since I was a little guy I have wanted to be involved in the community. I have fond memories of going to Lions Club with my dad and helping out with their community clean ups and fund raisers. He would also take me to City Council and School Board meetings and I just remember feeling a great desire to participate in things like that. Through my service in BYUSA I have felt like I’m starting that process. I got involved in the “governing body” of my current community and I feel good about that.

I enjoyed the visit we had from Brother Ward’s friend the Mayor. He is exactly the type of guy I want to be. I love civic involvement. The lesson that BYUSA and the Leadership class have taught me is that you can be involved at any level. You do not have to wait until you are in a position to run for Senator before you get civically involved.

The best example of this principle in my BYUSA experience was Hannah Bambrough. She served on the original Care Week committee as the financial wizard and in the second semester she had the seemingly small job of filling out the BLAST forms so that the clubs could get their events advertised. Although this was a job that took her less than an hour a week, she was always there, every Monday at 2pm, sitting at the area table filling out forms and lifting the spirits of those in proximity. She didn’t have much time to do more than that but she did it better than anyone could have. She understood that her part was a small one in the big picture of things, but she was involved to the degree which she was able. It could have been easy for her to say, “Peace out,” and keep that hour every week for herself.
I want to be like that regardless of how busy I may think I am. There is always time to do something and there is always something to do.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE IN THE WOLFLEY HOME

My service this year has reaffirmed in my mind the importance of “ministering” to people on their individual needs. There is no cover-all formula or one size fits all good deed. I truly believe that service should always have that personalized touch. I never want to treat Hilary, our children, or any member of our family like generic bums, flipping a metaphorical thoughtless quarter in their general direction. They need personalized and specialized attention and service. All service is good but some service can be void of emotion, feeling, care, and thought. Sometimes we get caught up in the fact that we’re doing service and do not take the time to consider how it is being done.

One of the great treats of this year was the opportunity to meet and watch Brother Cox in action. I have noticed that he has a personal touch with everyone. He never even gives a generic greeting. When you’re speaking with this fine man you feel like you’re the only one who he has any interest in.

A special thing, one which I will remember and cherish forever, is when he came to our intramural basketball game to cheer us on in the tournament. He had to leave early the next morning, but there he was on the sideline, cheering and shouting and encouraging us on to an overtime victory. The following Monday he sent me an email with some kind words of congratulations for the team and some personal words of appreciation and encouragement for me. I can’t remember the last time I was so touched.

This is the type of service which needs to be given in the home. It is so easy to feel like you are taken for granted in a family situation. Sometimes all you need is a little personalized service of a physical or even just a verbal nature, to make you feel like someone special again.

This has been a rewarding year for me personally. I have greatly enjoyed my time in BYUSA and especially in the clubs area. This organization has changed me for the better. It has made me a more complete man and servant of the people. I know that I am much better prepared to go forth to serve because of the things I entered BYUSA to learn.

The Sure Things from VP Scharman's

Please describe a way you will apply a leadership concept you have learned about this year as you lead in your family.

One thing which I will do is make sure that I'm consistent in word and deed. I want to walk the walk and talk the talk. It is really a form of honesty. It will be important for me to set a good example for my children and work with Hilary to rear them up in the right way. A lot of good parenting comes down to good leadership. I feel like a good example goes a lot further than a good lecture.

Vice President Scharman talked about the importance of developing structure in your home based on your individual time commitments. Describe how you believe structure and order in your family life can help you lead in you family. How can some form of structure and routine help you develop leaders in your family?

The Lord's house is a house of order and we are encouraged to build and develop our homes based on the Lord's blue prints. When there is order and structure in a family the children feel a sense of security and identity. They will know what our family characteristics and values are because they never change. The children will know what to expect from us and they will know what we expect of them. The rules and guidelines will be clear. There will be no question as to what the law of our home will be.

The form and structure of the children's upbringing will help them become effective leaders. They will know how to work and sacrifice. They will know how to work with others and respect authority because these will be values that will be stressed in our home.

A Mayor and an Author

Mayor Winder talked about the challenge of balancing career and church assignments with the need to be involved in serving in your community and government. Describe how you will go about including community and government service in your life. I think you can't seperate the two because service in the government is service to the church because you are "honoring, obeying and sustaining the law," and service in the church is service to the government because it is making you and those you have influence over better citizens. As long as you are involved in one you are involved in the other. I will make time for community service because my community is my church and my church is my community. In Mayor Winders research on the history of church leaders interactions with Presidents of the Untied States, one conclusion that has been apparent is the importance of good people serving in and around government. Identify ways that you can have that type of positive influence in both your community and nationally. Please include various ways in which you see yourself being able to lead. The best way to have that influence in your community is to let your light so shine. Whatever you can contribute to your community either in talent or means or time, you need to give. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated and will hopefully inspire others to do the same. There are many things which compete for our attention and our abilities but if you make service your priority you will find great success in all fields. As you evaluate your experience this year in a leadership role, describe what motivated you to make the commitment you have made in your year of service with BYUSA. My commitment this year has come from wanting to give something back to BYU. I feel like we are greatly blessed to be here and everyone should attempt to give something back to help balance the ledger. There are secondary reasons for being committed to the organization such as surrounding myself with good people. This year I have met some of the best people I've ever known. It has been refining and refreshing to have daily interactions with such fine people.

Dean Kau in the House

"When we serve others we are not motivated by selfishness, but by charity." Please describe an experience where you have had the opportunity to be motivated by charity in your leadership experience.

As an Assistant to the President in the Yerevan Armenia Mission there were many times when I felt like I was motivated by charity in my leadership. When I thought about the missionaries which I was called to serve I felt a real concern for their well-being and success. For once in my life I felt like I wasn't trying to make it about me. I just wanted what was best for the missionaries. It was about them.

Why is it important for you to serve and lead now?

There is no better time to do something than the present time. When we procrastinate and say that we'll serve and lead later we run the risk of losing the opportunity all together. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Opportunities to serve and lead do not have eternal life spans. They are here to be taken advantage of and then they are gone. How tragic it would be to miss one such opportunity because of that quiet thief of time procrastination.

How will you prepare yourself to be ready for those unexpected opportunities to lead and serve, like the college students who saved the truck driver who had fallen off of the causeway?

When it comes to being prepared I always try to remember the words of Winston Churchill:

“TO EVERY MAN THERE COMES IN HIS

LIFETIME THAT SPECIAL MOMENT WHEN HE IS

FIGURATIVELY TAPPED ON THE SHOULDER AND

OFFERED A CHANCE TO DO A VERY SPECIAL

THING, UNIQUE TO HIM AND FITTED TO HIS

TALENTS. WHAT A TRAGEDY IF THAT MOMENT

FINDS HIM UNPREPARED OR UNQUALIFIED FOR

THAT WHICH WOULD BE HIS FINEST HOUR.”

Being prepared for you finest hour means doing the small things each and every day. In order to lead effectively you have to start preparing for that moment when you will be called upon. You have to begin to get the mindset that you will you answer the call. It has to be decided long before the opportunity presents itself or you will undoubtedly let it slip away.

Presidential Pearls of Wisdom

President Samuelson explained the importance of accepting callings. Please describe how you plan to respond to different calls that will come to you over your lifetime.

In the church we do not seek callings neither do we reject them. When a calling comes my way I plan on accepting it. Even though Bruce R. McConkie was too busy to realistically perform his calling he was still willing to accept it. I will trust my Priesthood leaders to know enough about my situation and to act under the influence of the spirit and conventional wisdom. They may retract the call but I will always be willing to accept it and do my best to fulfill it.

President Samuelson identified the practice of being “too critical” of ourselves as being worse in effect than not being critical enough. How do your expectations of your own performance effect how you serve as a leader. How do you intend to avoid the practice of over self criticism?

When I am being over critical of myself I find that my relationships with others suffer. I am no longer focused on serving them but I am drowning in my own pool of self pity. Being overcritical of yourself is a form of egocentrism. It blocks my ability to lead with confidence and act with boldness.

To avoid this problem I plan on staying in touch with realistic expectations. The reason I am over critical of myself is that my expectations are not realistic. I have more patience for the shortcomings of others than I do for my own. I feel like i need to treat myself with a little of that critical equality. I'll continue to hold myself to a high standard of performance just as I hold those I associate to a high standard as well.

President Samuelson shared his method of organizing his plans to include, long term, mid term and short term. What approach do you currently use in organizing the work you are responsible for?

Thanks to Hilary I have become an avid user of the planner. It helps me track the things which I need to do each day and the month view helps me see the more long term tasks. I keep running lists of all the things I need to do this year. I have separate logs for the different areas of my life. I am able to track my financial progress through specific records I've designed for that purpose. In my personal journal I track my progress in obtaining my personal goals. I always try to see the end from the beginning so that I can plan accordingly.

Please describe your motive for serving in BYUSA. Has this motive changed or evolved as the year has gone by?

Currently my motive for serving in BYUSA is to give back to my community. I have been greatly blessed to come to Brigham Young University and I feel like I should offer something in return. I don't want to be a leech on the resources here and not replenish any of them. The motive has changed a number of times over the course of the year. It started out as a way to diversify my resume and to get a sense of personal achievement. Then it became about getting involved and doing something besides school. Then it became what it is today.

It's Ron Jones

Bro. Jones described his career path and an experience where he received a recommendation from the President of Dixie State College. This recommendation came because of Bro. Jones reputation as someone who would follow through on any assignments he received. Please describe what practices you will engage to make sure that you are considered someone who is reliable in completing projects.

I think the first thing about being reliable is not promising things you can't deliver. That's where a lot of people find themselves in trouble. They take on more than they can realistically handle and then the assignment gets done in a shoddy way or not at all. I will attempt to always be honest with what I can handle. This is not the lazy man way of getting out of challenging projects. I expect to be challenged by projects and such but I won't take on more than I can handle because then everyone loses.

Bro. Jones mentioned the opportunities that he has had to be an example for those who are not members of the church and has been an influence for changing opinions about Mormons. Please describe how you will consider the opportunity to make friends for the Church as you start and grow your career.

Being a good example goes a long ways with people. The church is getting enough exposure these days that most of America has a good feel for what we believe and the standards we stand for. If they come to find you talk the talk but don't walk the walk then they will lose a lot of respect for you. Being Mormon means standing for something. The world may not always applaud us for it but it is expected of us. Being a good example of righteous gospel living, being friendly and not cheating to get ahead, will all be valuable ways of making friends for the Church.

Bro. Jones described his work on the Festival of the American West. One aspect that made that event succesful was the inclusion of many different people and allowing them to shine with their talents. Please explain how this concept of involving others and allowing them to utilize and showcase their talents relate to our practice of leadership in BYUSA and in the future.

BYUSA is all about involving people. Very few things would get done if we did not have a large pool of talent to draw from. Everyone can make a contribution because everyone has a skill, a talent or an experience which will add to the betterment of the whole. The officers and coordinators in BYUSA have never claimed to have a monopoly on the talent or the good ideas. When many different people begin working together in unity under a common purpose, a lot of good things begin to happen. By showcasing the talents of others, we are able to do much more than if we tried to rough it alone.

The 12 Laws of Cox

Select at least three of Bro. Cox's 12 career "hints" and report what you are currently doing to follow his recommendations. Be specific in describing how you are living each "hint."

1. Family First- I got engaged this semester. I'm looking to start a family of my own and begin that part of my progression. The world would tell you that this is not a good move. I'm not even done with my undergraduate work. They would say I should put it off until I'm financial stable and able to support a wife. I always want to put Hilary and my future children above my career. I'm living this hint right now by making time for our relationship. I'm making an active effort to help with the wedding and not just sneak off and get out of making a contribution. Like our good man David O. McKay said, "No success (individual, social, political, financial) can compensate for failure in the home."

2.Be prepared before opportunity knocks- I am trying to gain the training and experience I need to seize the opportunities which come my way. Part of taking advantage of opportunities is being able to recognize them before it is too late. Part of my preparation is having a plan. I have my goals written out and I review them daily. This helps me seize opportunities which fit inside of my life plan. I want to be prepared in every way to do the things which I want and I know the Lord wants me to do. I'm trying to sharpen my talents and increase my abilities in communication, writing, reading, and leadership. When it comes to preparation I like what Winston Churchill said and I try to apply it in my life.

"To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talents.What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour."

3. Be willing to start from ground level- Although I have been given much, I don't expect the world to hand me success. I am no way under the disillusionment that I'm going to get out of school and go straight to the top. Through my experience as a missionary and various other brushes with reality, I have come to the personal conclusion that I'm going to have to pay my dues, work hard and climb the ladder like everyone else. I'm living this hint just by being a student. I understand that this is ground level for a career. The important thing about his is to work hard at every level, even ground level.

Select one or more "hints" from Bro. Cox upon which you feel a need improve your focus. Be specific about your plans to better incorporate this "hint" into your life.

1. Try new things- This is something which has always scared me. I like to stick with what I know to be tested and true. I have an aversion to activities in which I could possibly fail. I need to get over this quickly. I plan to overcome this fear by trying something new each month. Whether it be a new restaurant or a new hobby, I'll start small and hopefully work my way up to doing new things where it really counts, such as in my career.

2. Leave it better than you found it- To leave something better than you found it is a service. It requires you to set your selfishness aside and make a lasting contribution. I've really failed to do this with my student wards here at BYU. Part of that had to do with the fact that I was actively pursuing a girl outside of my ward but part of that was also just from laziness. I thought since I had no plan of sticking around I really shouldn't contribute. That was faulty thinking on my part. I have since learned from Dr. Cox and others that no matter how long you plan on being somewhere, set down roots and make it better than you found it. In my next ward I will begin to make it a better place than I found it.

Judge Ye This Day

Judge Griffith spoke about his career and how he had moved around to different opportunities seeking to find his passion. Please describe what you feel you are passionate about today and where you think these interests will take you as you start your career path.

Recently I have found a great passion for estate planning and tax law. I'm currently enrolled in a class called Personal Finance taught by the legendary Dr. I. He has kindled a great fire within me to become financially independent and help others do the same. I believe this is something which I can do with great intensity and with great passion because I love being prepared for future events and independence from all people, organizations, agencies etc. I am almost completely sure that I want to become an attorney but I was lacking a specific field of emphasis or specialty. This class and this professor have set me on a path towards estate law, tax law, and finance.

This year marks the first time I have calculated and filed my own tax return. I found myself extremely interested in all of the tax laws. I loved researching all the exemptions, credits, and liabilities. The more I thought about it the more I realized I could do this as a career. I could help individuals and companies keep Uncle Sam from over-reaching his bounds. I've always been passionate about saving money and making money work for you instead of working for your money.

Judge Griffith quoted several verses in Jacob 2, in reference to the pursuit and use of wealth. How will you apply the concepts that Jacob shares with us as you experience success in your career.

Wealth should never become a status symbol. That is when you know you are going against the counsel in Jacob 2. I've never been into the designer clothes, the gator shoes, the fancy things of life. I'm OK with driving used cars, living in a moderate home and sending my children to public schools. I want to acquire wealth for the sake of my family's future and stability. I want them to have confidence in my ability to provide a roof over their head, food on their table, and an education for their minds.

For charitable work and donations I want to volunteer and financially support organizations which promote education, citizenship, and achievement. Hilary and I have talked about helping good families adopt. The process is crazy expensive and can be a burden on those who want to adopt and give children a good home.

Please share something you learned about leadership in your career from judge Griffith’s presentation.

I learned that you can stick to your standards and principles and all will be well for you. You will gain much more in the long run if you do that then if you sell out immediately for a few pieces of silver. His story of standing up to the senior partners of his law firm, over the admitted infidelity of his client, really struck me. He said it later led to some good things for him and even if it wouldn't have, he feels he did the right thing and that was his reward.

1060 E. 450 N.

Provo, UT (970) 580-7275

84606 pmwolfley@yahoo.com

Peter M. Wolfley

Summary of Qualifications

Aug. 2010-Present Localsearch.com

Content Writer (Internet)

--Wrote 25 SEO articles a week for dentists across the country.

2010-Present Design Imaging Orem, UT

Print Technician

-- Responsible for cropping, nesting, printing and shipping home improvement orders.

Aug.-Dec. 2009 Atkins Land Inc. Haxtun, CO

Farm Hand

-- Machine operation in an agricultural setting. Farm and estate physical management. Various labor-intensive maintenance tasks and projects.

Education 2010- Present Brigham Young University Provo, UT

English Major

2006-2007 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY

Dean’s List- 2 semesters

2002-2006 Sterling High School Sterling, CO

Class President - 3.9 GPA

Languages- Armenian

Reference

Kirby Atkins - Former Employer - 970-520-0950

Extracurricular

Exectutive Director of Clubs and Advertising - BYU Student Government

Activities

Piano - 15 years

Writing - School Publications, Newspaper, Yearbook, Journals

Athletics- Football, Basketball, Baseball --Team Captain

Awards received

Eagle Scout Award

Masonic Scholarship Award