Leadership Development at YouthBuild

Leadership Development at YouthBuild

Framing Questions 1. What is leadership development? 2. How can your program nurture it? 3. What are the benefits of leadership dev? 4. How is it linked to higher program outcomes & DOL performance measures? 5. How do you build leadership development into your program? 2

YouthBuild Basic Information

Purpose of YouthBuild To unleash the positive energy of unemployed, young adults to rebuild their communities and their own lives with a commitment to work, education, responsibility and family. 4

A Typical YouthBuild Program 5 components Construction Education Case Mgmt/ Counseling Leadership Graduate Placement & Resources I have learned a lot about leadership in YouthBuild. 5

A Typical YouthBuild Program 5 components 30-50 young people 16-24 years of age 9-12 months 6-10 staff DOL Performance Measures as a guide Key Quality: Respect for Young People 6

YouthBuild Performance Measures 70% enrollees placed in 1 st qtr after exit 75% of those placed still retained in 2 nd and 3 rd qtrs 50% attained GED, diploma, or industry certification by 3 rd qtr after exit 50% enrollees with basic skills needs in literacy or numeracy will rise by end of one year after enrollment. Recidivism is 20% or less. 7

A Typical YouthBuild Program 5 components Construction Education Case Mgmt/ Counseling Leadership Graduate Placement & Resources I have learned a lot about leadership in YouthBuild. 8

Leadership Development at YouthBuild

Making the Case for Leadership Development YouthBuild is about assisting young people to develop sustainable careers, advance their education, and create a meaningful and healthy life. These are absolutely critical to the individual success of YouthBuild graduates. YouthBuild is also about developing resource for the community---responsible, skilled leaders who can tackle the challenges that face us as a society. 10

Why Leadership Development is Important Leadership skills sought by employers, colleges Emphasis on Leadership = higher program outcomes Young people in leadership roles brings great visibility and support to the YouthBuild program Developing resource for the community to help tackle issues of the day 11

Components of a Strong Leadership Approach What is LD Youth Decision- Making Benefits of LD Vision for LD LD in all Components LD Competencies LD Culture Staff LD Roles 12

Definition Good Leadership is taking responsibility to make sure things go right for my Individual youth development + Community development Life Community Family Program 13

Three Parts to Leadership Development Personal Development Impacting Program & Community Leadership Development Skills, Knowledge & Practice 14

Core Beliefs About Leadership Development Leadership development is critical to the achievement of solid program outcomes and concrete skills needed for success in careers, post secondary education, and life. Every young person has leadership experience or capacity. Leadership calls forth the best in young people; for this reason, it is a necessary component of the program. Leadership development is planned and intentional. Leadership is about taking responsibility. Leadership development occurs in all program components and is the job of all staff. 15

WHY Leadership Development? Benefits for the Individual young person: Strengthened self-confidence Increased skills & knowledge Decreased feelings of powerlessness Leadership Development skills sought by employers Greater youth development gains More doors of opportunity opened 16

WHY Leadership Development? Benefits for the Program: Better program decisions when informed by young people More participant buy-in Improves attendance and retention and other program outcomes Brings positive public attention to program, leading to more support 17

WHY Leadership Development? Benefits for the Community: Young leaders Give back to community Act as role models Become a positive force Become more engaged in community affairs Take greater responsibility for their children & families 18

Elements of a Leadership Development Program Desired outcomes, skills and competencies Staff attitudes, hiring, training Leadership Development within each program component Youth involvement in decision making Leadership Development trainings and workshops Leadership Development experiences and opportunities Leadership opportunities after graduation Measuring and tracking leadership skills 19

Elements of a Leadership Development Program Desired outcomes, skills and competencies Staff attitudes, hiring, training Leadership Development within each program component Youth involvement in decision making Leadership Development trainings and workshops Leadership Development experiences and opportunities Leadership opportunities after graduation Measuring and tracking leadership skills 20

Hovel ~ Hut ~ House ~ Hotel 21

Your Vision for Leadership Development In pairs, with someone you do not know yet, answer this question: If LD were really happening at your program, what would it look like? What would the young people leave your program with in terms of skills, behaviors, attitudes and experiences? 22

Leadership Benchmarks for Year One Leadership development is embedded in all parts of the program Leadership Competencies are defined A Policy Committee is functioning well 23

Leadership Benchmark 1. Examples of Leadership Development embedded across the program

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 25

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 26

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 27

Leadership Development in the Case Management/Counseling Component Young people strengthen their leadership by: learning to lead discussion groups learning to do peer counseling practicing peer mediation and conflictresolution skills exploring cultural diversity issues making individual leadership development and life plans learning to better navigate external world 28

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 29

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 30

Leadership Benchmark 2. Examples of Leadership Development Competencies

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 32

Elements of Developing Competencies Select or create a specific set of Leadership skills Determine how, where, when each can be achieved Measure and test for each competency Give a certificate for completion Celebrate achievements publicly 33

Leadership Benchmark 3. Policy Committee for Student Decision-making

Policy Committee Meeting What Do You Notice? Do You Want This?

Why Have a Policy Committee?

What Young People Say The Policy Committee is a big opportunity to make my voice and opinion heard. It s a great learning experience, a chance to show my leadership ability - Jonathan King YouthBuild Waukegan 37

What Directors say It is without a doubt essential that every program offer this opportunity to their participants. It does take time, yet very rewarding in the long run. - Greg Flores Director, YouthBuild Brownsville, TX 38

What Directors say Leadership development at Tomorrow s Builders YouthBuild Program and Charter School is key to long term job placement and a large part of each participant's academic success. - Vickie Kimmel Forby, Executive Director 39

Examples of Policy Committee Responsibilities Consult on program design Select community service projects Participate in hiring of staff Plan events Mediate conflicts Review annual budget Recommend policy changes

Responsibilities of Members Build unity in program Consider what s best for program Help reach good decisions Be a role model Be accountable to other young people Help develop other leaders

Key Ingredients for Success of Policy Committee 1. Solid preparation 2. Structured respect 3. Serious business 4. Serious training 5. Effective group process 6. Clear accountability & relationships 42

#1. Solid Preparation Staff agreement on Structure Responsibilities Criteria for members Procedures Training Effective election process 43

#2. Structured Respect Examples Private weekly meetings Includes director Prepared agenda Identify the supports members will need to ensure success in their roles Determine the staffing, financial, and time resources needed 44

#3. Serious Business Examples Hiring staff Reviewing budget Assisting with funding proposals Making policy Disciplining students Evaluating program 45

#4. Serious Training Examples of trainings how to form an agenda lead a productive meeting use consensus decision-making read a budget listen well conduct interviews 46

#5. Effective Group Process Examples of process use of a solid meeting structure rotating chairperson facilitation skills respectful listening arguing another s point 47

#6. Accountability & Relationships Set clear standards for conduct Understand role of director & staff on Policy Committee Regular report-outs to all students Be intentional about building relationships Resolve conflicts well Have fun! 48

Effective Policy Committee Development 1-2 months 2-4 months 4 months on Training Team Building Content Training Content Team Building Training Team Building Content T I M E

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Policy Committee Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Policy Committee Director dominates PC Poor group process Staff unwilling to share power Not enough training Poor followthrough PC is isolated from other youth Tasks not substantial Director is too hands off

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 53

Summary Tips An Effective Policy Committee needs staff agreement and support takes a director who respects young people and brings important issues to PC, while not abdicating has a structure and good group process that draws out the best in young people does serious, ongoing training in leadership skills can be challenging and difficult can bring immense program benefit and cohesion 54

Obstacles to Youth Leadership Development Lack of vision, goals for youth as partners Lack of agency, director, staff support for Leadership Development Viewing young people as clients, needing to be fixed Insufficient staff development for Leadership Development Lack of will or skill to share power Too much willingness to share power Disrespectful attitudes 55

Ways to Foster Youth Leadership in Our Programs Examine agency s views about youth Emphasize respect for young people Create effective youth-adult partnerships Do staff training on youth leadership development Set leadership goals and objectives Ask youth opinions about everything Set up youth policy committee & act on their advice Look for opportunities for youth to practice leadership-- jobs, media, fundraising, etc. 56

Role of Staff in Developing Leadership Director leads; expects LD outcomes in all components Staff hired who are leaders and who respect young people Staff and parent organization come to understand how LD links to higher program outcomes and quality programming Staff see themselves as leadership developers through their specific job (teacher, construction trainer, counselor, etc) Ongoing staff training in Leadership Development Staff determine leadership competencies to be taught/learned Staff formulate and support Policy Committee 57

Questions and Answers 58

Young Leaders from YouthBuild

Leadership Development Resources for YouthBuild Go to the online DOL-HUD YouthBuild Community of Practice for more leadership development information or to www.youthbuild.org for the following leadership development handbooks Youth Leadership Development Leadership Development at a YouthBuild Program Policy Committee Handbook Leadership Development Competencies Handbook Blueprint for Democracy Trainings and Technical Assistance on Leadership Development are available through the DOL TA Collaborative. 60