Leadership Development atYouthBuild

Examples of Leadership Development and Youth Voice in YouthBuild Programs

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Leadership Development in Classroom Structure

Students: help decide classroom activities are responsible for finishing and correcting

own work have opportunities to work in teams teach each other rotate leadership jobs in classroom participate in evaluating teachers

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Leadership Development in Classroom Content

Students: Research topic of community concern or

current event Make a presentation to class or whole program

on a community issue Participate in formal debate Write letters to the editor or Congressperson Visit and dialogue with public officials Use “Blueprint for Democracy”, a civic

engagement curriculum from YouthBuild USA Study history and culture of the racial and

ethnic groups of students Study the movements of poor people for equal

opportunity

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Leadership Development on Construction Worksite

Young people: learn overview of entire construction process rotate leadership roles: crew chiefs, safety

coordinator; site steward responsible for calling for breaks, cleanup, attendance; making store runs; photographer who documents work; a tool captain who signs out tools and conducts inventory

go to contract negotiations or City Hall to pull the permits

help plan, estimate materials, schedule the work help solve particular problems such as meeting a

deadline, keeping the site cleaner, improving attendance, or improving teamwork.

give tours to visitors to the site evaluate the construction staff and each other

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Leadership Development in the Counseling Component

Young people strengthen their leadership by: learning to lead discussion groups learning to do peer counseling practicing peer mediation and conflict-

resolution skills exploring cultural diversity issues making individual leadership development

and life plans learning to better navigate external world

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Sample Leadership Competencies

Personal skills that are critical leadership development skills include ability to: demonstrate consistency and responsibility

on a daily basis negotiate effectively for oneself resolve conflicts constructively communicate about issues of cultural

identity in a positive manner listen and communicate effectively lead constructive small group discussions clarify personal values; walk one’s talk

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Leadership Policy Committee

6-8 elected youth, director, and a staff rep clear criteria for being and remaining a member serious training: on how to read a budget, form

an agenda, lead a productive meeting, use consensus decision-making, listen well, conduct interviews

structured respect: private weekly meetings with director, prepared agenda

serious tasks: hire staff, review budget, make program decisions

good group process: brainstorming, equal-time, twice-once rule, go-arounds, validations

accountability to and from students and staff

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Leadership Development in Program Operations

Young people: are assumed and expected to be leaders help make program rules and discipline policies accompany director on fundraising visits take turns being office receptionist, answering

phones, doing data entry lead morning meetings and program events show visitors around; handle press interviews care for the physical environment: re-cycle,

conserve energy, care for equipment

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Leadership Development in the Wider Community

Young people can: choose and organize community service

projects offer tutoring, computer skills, mentoring to

younger children do presentations in schools about staying

in school, off drugs make presentations to policy makers about

needed changes organize and host community youth

conferences

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