YOUTH LEADERSHIP BROWARD (YLB) 5-STAR COMMUNITY PROJECT GUIDELINES

Each YLB participant will work as a member of a Community Project Group. Group members will work together to plan and execute the YLB 5-Star Curriculum for children at YMCA of Broward County. Each group will work closely with their assigned YMCA liaisonand their YLB youth advisor.Students will earn service hours for their community project.LBF will provide four hours for each of the six sessions, or students can earn 25 hours if they attend all six sessions.

Students will be assigned to groups as convenient to their homes as possible. Each group is responsible for establishing group goals and objectives, submitting monthly progress reports, completing the sessions (as outlined below), submitting a summary report of the project and making a verbal presentation of results on Graduation Day onApril 17, 2015.

There should be six sessions planned and executed over the course of the program, beginning in September 2014 (groups might not be able to begin until end of month). The sessions should focus on one theme per visit from the YLB 5-Star Curriculum as well as one introductory session called Intro to Leadership. The six components of the curriculum are:

  • Intro into Leadership ~ 1st session
In this session, you will facilitate teambuilding activities through the lens of leadership qualities. How does teamwork relate to being an effective leader? /
  • Diversity & Respect
In this session, you will facilitate activities enhancing respect for the difference of others. How does respect for diversity contribute to a leader’s success?
  • Positive Identity
In this session, you will facilitate activities surrounding the importance of one’s core values and how those values pertain to different leadership styles. How does a leader effectively work with another who has a different leadership style? /
  • Emotion Awareness
In this session, you will facilitate activities highlighting the importance of recognizing one’s own emotions, especially anger, and how emotions can contribute to or inhibit being an effective leader. How can awareness of one’s emotions for him/herself and others allow one to be a more effective leader?
  • Communication
In this session, you will facilitate activities surrounding effective communication styles. How can one lead successfully simply by communicating effectively? /
  • Conflict Resolution
In this session, you will facilitate activities illustrating how conflict and the ability to resolve it peacefully can create positive change. How does a leader’s ability to resolve conflict peacefully positively affect the overall mission of the group?

Groups are required to select the dates for each session, the roles for each day, as well as the general session topics, well in advance. Detailed planning for each session should take place during the month before the session. Sessions should include fun and interactive activities for each of the six themes mentioned above. These activities can include games, arts and crafts sessions, skits, etc. – anything that you think will engage the youth you are working with and instill the 5-Star Curriculum. The YMCA has asked that you do not bring food as a reward for the children, unless it is part of the activity, i.e. decorating cookies. Instead, if you wish to reward the children, consider school supplies, i.e. creative pencils, erasers, etc.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE YLB COMMUNITY PROJECT?

While many of you are already active in your community and with various outside community service projects, YLB requires you to be a part of these groups for several reasons. The first and foremost is to meet a need in the Broward community. You will be serving as role models to younger children who may not have a strong authority figure in their lives. Also, these projects give you exposure to a world you may not otherwise see, and we are certain you will be a richer person for the experience. Finally, these project groups and the teamwork required to execute each session will tap into the leadership skills we hope to develop in you during your YLB program year. You will learn a great deal about group dynamics and leadership styles just by interacting with the other YLB students in your group. These are invaluable lessons we hope will stay with you throughout your lives as leaders.

HOW DOES EACH CHILD BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM?

During each session, you will have the opportunity to develop a relationship with the children at the YMCA and expose them to a positive experience. According to the U.S. Department of Education, mentoring helps young people improve their overall academic achievement and provides guidance for decision-making. Take this opportunity to not only make a difference in a child’s life today but to also affect his/her future!

HOW OFTEN DO COMMUNITY PROJECTS GROUPS MEET?

Community project groups should take advantage of time during lunch on each program day to briefly discuss group progress. Group members are also required to meet outside of program days as often as necessary to complete the required monthly reports, final summary report, and presentation. The frequency of these meetings will vary depending on each group’s efficiency and organization.

WHAT IS THE community project schedule?

Don’t worry – this outline may look overwhelming, but it actually breaks down everything that you need to do into easy steps! Please review the following information carefully. On the next page you will find the community projects timeline, which includes specific dates and should help you with your planning.

I.Get to know your community project group members

  • Before the retreat, the class will be divided into eight groups of students based on geographical areas. During the first day of the retreat, you will be notified of your group assignments and to which YMCA you have been assigned.

II.Select Roles, Schedule dates And Choose a Theme

  • Each group is responsible for the following:
  • Set meeting dates, times, and themesfor sessions
  • Choose roles for each group member, including a lead for each session
  • Develop a project schedule
  • Confirm dates and session topics with the YMCAliaison
  • Facilitate group meetings and take attendance
  • Submit all session descriptions and evaluations to their Youth Advisor and Program Manager
  • Maintain ongoing contact with the project group members, YMCAliaison and Youth Advisor.

II.Meet with your youth advisor and introduce yourself to your ymca liaison

  • The group will be responsible for setting the schedule of monthly visits with the YMCAliaison they’ve been assigned. There should be six (6) YMCA sessions, beginning in late September/early October and concluding in March.

III.Plan your community project meetings

  • After your initial meeting at the retreat, you should meet during lunch on every program day to discuss your progress. However, it is vital that you begin to plan meetings outside of your program days as well.

V.Plan and facilitate sessions

  • Once you havetalked with the YMCAliaison and decided on the dates of your YMCA sessions, you will then need to finalize your sessions, outlining your goals for the sessions and determining how you will convey the information that is to be presented.
  • Activities should be fun, informative, and interesting. Don’t forget to set realistic goals to accomplish in each session.
  • Your first session should introduce the topic of leadership and give an overview of your purpose in working with the YMCA.
  • Once your session topics have been determined, you will submit your project schedule to your Youth Advisor and the Program Manager byAugust 25.
  • Don’t forget to have fun!

VI.Complete & Submit Session Evaluations

  • Every month following your session, a session description and evaluation must be submitted to your Youth Advisor and Program Manager by e-mail. This will be considered your monthly report.

VII.Complete Final Project Evaluation

  • Following your last session, a final project evaluation must be completed and submitted to your Youth Advisor and Program Manager. This form should be submitted along with your project summary report (see below).

VIII.Submit Project Summary report (April 3, 2015)

  • Each group is required to submit a project summary report.
  • The project summary report must include:
  • Two double-spaced typed pages summarizing the sessions facilitated by your group. Include any adversity or obstacles that the group faced and how they overcame them.
  • A title page, list of references, and list of group members.
  • Copies of session descriptions and evaluations from all visits.
  • Any additional materials that support the project (i.e., photos, letters, etc.).

IX.Prepare for Group Presentation (April 17, 2015)

  • All group members will also be required to participate in a 10-minute presentation. Presentations should be informative and innovative.Skits and demonstrations are encouraged.
  • The following questions must be answered during the presentation:
  • How did the group choose each session topic?
  • What steps were taken to implement each session?
  • What was each member’s responsibility during the facilitation of the sessions?
  • Did the group encounter obstacles when planning or facilitating the session? If so, what were the obstacles and how did the group overcome them?
  • During your six-month community project, what lesson(s) were learned from working in your group?
  • As a group, have you gained better knowledge of all components of the 5-Star Curriculum?

COMMUNITY PROJECT TIMELINE

Date Due: / Assignment /

Completed:

Aug. 8
/ Meet community project group members.
Aug. 9 / Discuss project purpose and review project guidelines.
Select rolesfor each day. Pick group name and theme.
Select six (6) proposed dates for project sessions (choose a couple of alternate dates). Turn in group project schedule. Select next meeting date, time and location.
Late Aug. / Meet with YMCA staff member to discuss project and confirm dates for sessions. Meet to plan first session.
Late Sept. / First session
Oct. 1 / First session report due.
Oct. / Second session
Nov. 1
/ Second session report due.
Nov. / Third session
Dec. 1
/ Third session report due.
Dec. / Fourth session
Dec. 23
/ Fourth session report due.
Jan. / Fifth session
Feb.1
/ Fifth session report due.
Feb. / Sixth session
Mar. 1 / Sixth session report due.
Early Mar. / Group meeting to discuss project summary report and final evaluation. Prepare group presentation outline.
Mar. 18 / Turn in group presentation outline to Youth Advisor
Apr. 3
/ Turn in 5 copies of the project summary report and final evaluation to the Leadership Broward Office by 5 pm.
Apr. 17, 2015 / Group Presentations!
(Please limit your presentation to 10 minutes!)

SESSION DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS

Each group is required to turn in a session description and evaluation once a month, after every YMCA visit. Each session description and evaluation should be one (1) typed page (12 point font) and include the information under these headings: 1) group name and YMCA name; 2) session number and date; 3) group member’s names; 4) attendance; 5) contribution; 6) brief overview of session purpose; 7) goals; 8) activities facilitated; 9) session rating; and 10) comments on how the session went (including whether or not session purpose and goals were met) and recommendations for next session. Make sure to list both the positive and the negative.

Session descriptions and evaluations should be emailed to your Youth Advisor and Program Manager as an attached Word document by the deadline (as indicated on the community project timeline). Below is an example of how a session description and evaluation may look:

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT SUMMARY?

Each group is required to submit a final Summary Report (DUE April 3, 2015) which should include:

  • Two (2) double-spaced typed pages (12 point font) that describe your project and what your group has done to make a difference in the agency.
  • A description of the objectives of each of the six sessions, methods used to complete the tasks, and conclusions / recommendations reached by the community project group.
  • A title page, a list of references (any individuals who helped bring your project to fruition), and a list of group members.
  • Photos, letters and back-up materials should be included in the appendix (but will not count toward the two-page summary).

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PRESENTATION?

Each group is required to give a presentation of its project to the class onGraduation Day, April 17, 2015. The presentation of projects is an opportunity for each group to share its accomplishments with fellow classmates. Each group can be as creative or innovative as it would like in the 10 minutes reserved for each group presentation. However, presentations should be informative, too.

Demonstrations, panel discussions, skits, and multi-media presentations are some of the formats community project groups may wish to use for the presentations. Each member of the group should take an active part in the presentation.

Questions that should be answered during your presentation include:

  • What was the group’s overall goal(s)?
  • How did the group go about achieving that goal(s)?
  • What problems occurred, if any? How did you overcome those obstacles?
  • What did the group learn about its project?
  • What did “you” as a team member learn over the course of the entire Community Project process?

Each group should work closely with the Program Manager when planning the presentation to ensure that technical requirements of the presentation are available.

Two (2) awards will be given: Best Presentation and Best Overall Project, as judged by a panel of independent judges. Winners will be recognized during the evening of Graduation.

FACILITATOR HINTS

  • NEVER FORGET: Everything you say or do, both consciously & unconsciously, will have an effect upon a child. It is up to you to decide whether that effect will be positive or negative!
  • Always maintain eye contact when a child is talking
  • Be engaged in the dialogue
  • Be aware of your non-verbals: sighing, crossing arms, rolling eyes, ignoring…
  • Don’t show any frustration
  • Lean forward attentively
  • Don’t stand behind a podium/desk
  • Be energetic & dynamic, even if you have had a long day and you have a huge exam tomorrow – STILL act like the YMCA is the ONLY place you want to be!
  • Use encouraging messages

“Sandwich philosophy” (positive, constructive feedback, positive)

  • Be aware of other’s “cultures” & how they differ from others in the classroom
  • RESPECT THEM! Children are human beings, too, and as such, deserve respect from you just as you deserve respect from them
  • Don’t talk down to them – they will see through that and anything you say will be ineffective
  • Children are smart – treat them as such!

SOME DOs DON’Ts

Do:

  • Create ideas ahead of time for projects with the children.
  • Organize all materials needed for sessions.
  • Have a backup plan when dealing with the selected organization.
  • Be flexible and prepared.

Don’t:

  • Wait until the last minute to start planning.
  • Cancel planned activities with the children.
  • Give up. These children need your support and help, no matter how difficult it seems at times.
  • Forget that this is a group assignment. Make sure everyone stays involved in the project.
  • Rush through your project. You are working with a future generation of leaders and will leave a lasting impression with them.

DON’T FORGET TO HAVE FUN & REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO POSITIVELY CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE!

community project YMCA VIsit schedule

(Complete as a Group – Submit Draft on August 9 at Retreat.

Final report due via email by August 25 to Youth advisor and program manager.

Group NAME: YMCA NAME:

GROUP MEMBERS:

TOPIC / BRIEF DESCRIPTION / DATE
SCHEDULED
1
2
3
4
5
6

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