Summary
Integrating leadership experiences through youth programming is crucial in students become individuals who are committed to working toward an improved quality of life. A three-day youth leadership summit was planned for those students selected as delegates to the 2010 Youth Leadership Lamar (YLL) Class.
Situation
Integrating leadership experiences through youth programming is crucial in students become individuals who are committed to working toward an improved quality of life. Youth leadership experiences can have positive effects on behaviors and skills including self-efficacy, self-determination, communication, and problem-solving. Each of these skills is linked to higher student achievement, lower dropout rates, and/or better post school outcomes (Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Pittman, Irby, Tolman, Yohalem & Ferber, 2003; Sagawa, 2003).
Response
A three-day youth leadership summit was planned for those students selected as delegates to the 2010 Youth Leadership Lamar (YLL) Class. Youth Leadership In Action: A Community Focus – the curriculum of the University of Georgia's J. W. Fanning Institute for Leadership – was used to teach leadership sessions. The sessions were based upon the components of a three-phase model: (1) Individual Leadership/Personal Skills where students examine the leader as an individual and will work to develop their own personal enhancement plans; (2) Collective Leadership/Group Skills where students explore working with others to achieve common goals and objectives; and (3) Community Leadership/Community Skills where students analyze community needs, issues and problems as well as seek possible solutions. To set the example and the tone, the sessions were taught by a variety of community leaders that included a school board member, hospital administrator, energy trust board member, school social worker, bank executive, school psychologist and a number of adult leadership program graduates.
Impact
A leadership survey instrument was given to each of the participants before and after the youth leadership summit. The instrument consisted of 10 statements related to leadership in regards to accepting individual differences, setting goals, self-realization, responsibility and positive character traits. When responding to the statement, “I am a leader”, 56% of the students viewed themselves as leaders at the beginning of the summit. After the summit, 89% of the students viewed themselves as leaders. In response to the statement, “I have a plan to reach my goals”, 56% of the students “agreed a lot” with this statement. After the summit, 78% of the students “agreed a lot” with this statement. When asked to respond to the statement, “I show respect for others”, 67% participants responded with “agreed a lot”. After the summit, 89% of the students “agreed a lot” with this statement.
State Issue
Positive Development for Individuals, Families and Communities
Details
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Year:
2009
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Geographic Scope:
County
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County:
Lamar
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Program Areas:
