special olympics project unify® inclusive youth leadership workshop
DESCRIPTION
On April 8th - 10th, Special Olympics Project UNIFY® hosted a workshop in Washington, D.C. to strengthen ones' skills, knowledge and dispositions on Inclusive Youth Leadership. This two-pager highlights the "Introduction to Inclusive Youth Leadership" Presentation and provides helpful links for one to check out!TRANSCRIPT
1 | Special Olympics
Inclusive Youth Leadership Welcome to the 2014 Special Olympics Project UNIFY® Inclusive
Youth Leadership Workshop! This document encompasses a
comprehensive overview of the core characteristics of Inclusive
Youth Leadership. You will also be provided links to resources
mentioned throughout the presentation
Inclusive Youth Leadership There are many models of leadership that are currently exercised today. Below are three common models:
Transactional Model Adult-Driven, Youth
Input Model Servant Model
Traits
! List of completed and uncompleted items.
! Hyper-focus on the outcome(s).
! Youth are given options to decide upon.
! Youth and adults may not communicate effectively, due to power struggles.
! Objective is to serve others – to help them.
! Can be ad-hoc or activity-based, type of engagement.
Mindset
! Getting things done.
! Let’s follow the plans as they are given to us.
! I want to support the youth so they don’t feel stressed or overworked.
! Youth are given power to decide, so their voice is heard.
! I’m here to help you, to support your growth.
! It’s nice for me to help others.
Actions
! One person constructs the vision, outcomes and strategy.
! Colleagues are to implement the plan, without the opportunity to give input/enhancements.
! Adults set the vision, possibly with the youth present.
! Youth may feel discouraged to share their ideas, and feel like they are not valued.
! The intention may be first to support others, but soon one may notice his or her growth, too!
! It can focus on ‘one helping others’ verses ‘helping one another.’
2 | Special Olympics
We see these models on a continuum, where one can progress in embodying the skills, dispositions
and values of Inclusive Youth Leadership. However, Inclusive Youth Leadership entails a change in mindset and
actions, but augments the growth within all.
Adult Allies Supporting Inclusive Youth Leadership
It is imperative for adult allies to continually reassess
how they can best support youth leaders of all
abilities. As youth begin to serve in meaningful
leadership positions, they begin to acquire
experiences that can guide their growth. Adult allies
may find that youth may not need as much support
as they did before. This can be challenging to
recognize, so co-creating a trustful and supportive
environment, where all feel comfortable to share, is
key for communicating ones’ feelings.
Resources
Change in Mindset
• We all can contribute.
• Co-identifying how we can best share & learn with one another.
Change in Actions • Talent Maximization.
• Shared Leadership in matching strengths with responsibilities.
• Reflection as a practice.
Growth within All • Personal (individual) and
collective (team) growth in skills and cohesion.
• Cultivates Social Inclusion.
www.socialinclusion.org http://bit.ly/IYLGuide http://bit.ly/SISchools twitter.com/SOProjectUNIFY