HCHY List: Youth Mini Poster

Tue Jan 6 13:19:14 CST 2009

Thanks for sharing your insight and the personal "vision" story Stacy.

 =

What motivates young people? The Spark: A passion from within and sense of =
purpose. =

We all need to be needed, are capable of giving and desire meaningful invol=
vement. =

Igniting the spark is a process that varies from person to person. Some can=
 light their own fires, some need a little help and far too many aren't inv=
ited or encouraged to do so.  =

 =

Leadership, a fine thing and current buzzword, may be a double edged sword =
for youth today. Students are the resource pool of tomorrow's leaders. Amaz=
ing, disciplined youth flourish within leadership development programs. Yes=
, leadership can be learned, yet is it universally appealing? Are we all bo=
rn to lead?

 =

 Some teens state that the concept as a motivator is overused. Stigmatized,=
 it represents: the usual suspects, the few, the proud, the recognized bunc=
h. For the standardized crowd, measuring up is required, failure is bad. So=
me see leadership presented as heady, top-down training and miss the concep=
t or end result of asset development and personal growth. =

 =

Providing leadership development is a noble thing, yet I believe that if we=
 want to hit the mark and engage "not the usual suspects" in healthy develo=
pment we need another "keyword". =

A personal approach. A you are worthy just as you are approach. A you are n=
eeded approach. What excites you has value. Check yourself, what do you hav=
e to give? Great! Let's get that fire started. =

 =

Youth commentary:

 =

"I can't be late to work, they need me. I can do a better job than the 40 y=
ear old before me did."

"I love to write. Until I heard the words you're a writer from my teacher, =
I didn't believe it. I want to write to make a difference."

"It's OK to want someone else to tell me what to do, to be led. I feel bett=
er and can contribute just as much as a follower."

 =

Received: I am worthy. I have something to give. My contribution matters. I=
 can.

Result: Engagement. Identity. Integrity. Well-being. Optimism.

 =

What messages does society send?

Develop 21st century leaders. Make an impact upon a messed up world. Acquir=
e measurable success. =

Necessary goals, but . . . for the here and now, for today, for the moment =
that a young person stops to read a poster, omit the search for excellence =
and reel them in! First things first, target the heart and ignite the spark.

 =

 =

JoElle Ramsey

 =

 =

  ----- Original Message ----- =

  From: Stacy Taylor<mailto:thrive at communitycaringcouncil.org> =

  To: joelleramsey at msn.com<mailto:joelleramsey at msn.com> =

  Cc: 'Healthy Communities Healthy Youth'<mailto:hchylist at lists.search-inst=
itute.org> =

  Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 8:30 AM
  Subject: RE: HCHY List: Youth Mini Poster

  Like several other people that responded, I really like them all, but aft=
er attending this year's HCHY conference with some youth from our community=
, I will share that the ideas that made the biggest impacts on them were th=
at they can make a difference in the world.  One of our girls is even resea=
rching groups that are working in Africa to see which one best fits her "vi=
sion" for helping.  It seems like the idea that she could make a difference=
 outside of the walls of her school and home was really big!

   =

  Stacy

   =

  Expect youth to do THEIR best, not to always be THE best.  Build Assets! =
 THRIVE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------=
---

  From: hchylist-bounces at lists.search-institute.org [mailto:hchylist-bounce=
s at lists.search-institute.org] On Behalf Of Alison Dotson
  Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 5:28 PM
  To: thrive at communitycaringcouncil.org
  Cc: Healthy Communities Healthy Youth
  Subject: HCHY List: Youth Mini Poster

   =

  Greetings!

  We at Search Institute Press are developing a small poster for youth, one=
 that they would like to hang in their locker at school or on a bulletin bo=
ard at home. =

  I'm looking for feedback on the content of the poster. We've come up with=
 three possible themes, and I would love to know which poster you would be =
most likely to buy for the teens in your life. Will you read the following =
examples and vote on your favorite? Thanks!

  Theme #1: What Is Your Spark?

  Examples of "sparks" that would appear on the poster are: =

  Building furniture
  Acting        =

  Taking care of stray dogs

  And questions the poster may pose are:
  How do you use your gifts to make a difference in the world?
  Who supports your sense of purpose?

  Theme #2: Anyone Can Be a Leader

  Examples of questions the poster may pose are:
  How do I bring out leadership in other people?
  How can I inspire people to come together?
  How do I respond to bullying?

  Theme #3: Make a Difference
  Sections will include the environment, social justice and equality, and s=
piritual development.

  An example from each section:
  Lather, rinse, don't repeat. Shortening your time in the shower by only t=
wo minutes saves 10 gallons of water.
  Learn more: dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/waterconservation/tips.htm<http://dnr.met=
rokc.gov/wtd/waterconservation/tips.htm>

  Speak up. If classmates or friends are telling offensive jokes, say so. T=
ell them that you appreciate good jokes, but what they're doing is perpetua=
ting stereotypes. =

  Learn more: tolerance.org/teens<http://tolerance.org/teens>

  Find your spirit. Spirituality is shaped both within and outside of relig=
ious traditions, beliefs, and practices. When do you feel spiritual? On nat=
ure hikes? While playing piano, or nurturing a child? Creating a piece of a=
rt?
  Learn more: spiritualdevelopmentcenter.org<http://spiritualdevelopmentcen=
ter.org/>

  Please let me know which one you like best, Theme #1, Theme #2, or Theme =
#3. We want this to be a poster that really speaks to teens, and your opini=
on is so valuable!

  Thanks,

  Alison

  -- =

  Alison Dotson
  Assistant Editor
  612-399-0232

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