Empowering our Youth Suggestions for YM Leaders “Little Philmont” 7 October 2006

What will we be covering? The Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood The Purposes of Scouting The Principle of Empowerment The Key to Success (What is it?) –We’ll be spending a majority of our time here.

Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live its teachings. Serve faithfully in my priesthood callings and fulfill my responsibilities. Give meaningful service. Prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances. Commit to, prepare for, and serve an honorable full- time mission. Obtain as much education as possible. Prepare to become a worthy husband and father. Give proper respect to women, girls, and children.

“A primary purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women achievement programs is to help youth develop leadership skills and qualities. …Leaders should take every opportunity to give youth leadership experiences.” From “Teaching Leadership Principles to Youth,” Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth, p. 27

Purposes (AIMS) of Scouting Character Development Citizenship Training Mental and Physical Fitness

What is Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing? In the church, Scouting (including Varsity Scouting and Venturing) is Missionary Preparation. In fact, it’s an activity-based program that helps the Deacons, Teachers, and Priests fulfill all of the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood.

The principle of Empowerment “Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;” D&C 58:27 “I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.” Joseph Smith, Jr. (Quoted by John Taylor, in Millennial Star, 15 Nov. 1851, p. 339.)

The principle of Empowerment “Teach them, trust them, and let them lead.” “Training boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster’s most important job.” “Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.” Lord Baden Powell

Pertinent Questions for Adult YM Leaders Who’s in charge of the quorum? Who has the Priesthood keys? What is my role and responsibility? How do I fulfill my responsibility? –BE AN EXAMPLE –LOVE THE YOUNG MEN –GIVE THEM YOUR TIME –GET YOURSELF TRAINED –EMPOWER THE YOUNG MEN

How DO I EMPOWER Them? Teach them. Trust them. Let them lead. Always be there for them to help them succeed. Use the resources of the Church and the Boy Scouts of America.

The Key to Success PLANNING “Planning your year’s program is probably the single most important activity you will be involved in.” pg. 41, Venturing Leader Manual Similar quotes: pg. 181, Varsity Scout Guidebook or pg. 78, Scoutmaster Handbook

Planning is the Key to Success: How to help the youth leaders make long-term and short-term plans. Long-Term Planning: Leadership Training / Planning Conference—whenever youth leaders are changed. Short-Term Planning: Presidency Meetings— at least monthly with weekly follow up.

Long-Term Planning

Prior to the conference: Have all of the YM choose their preferred activity interest survey (AIS) and Duty to God (DTG) Activities. Also - review advancement needs of the Boys. Compile Prioritized lists of Preferred Activities and Group DTG Requirements Have the youth leaders conduct the Program Capability Inventory (PCI) and compile a list of consultants Help the youth leader in charge make an agenda and be prepared to conduct. Long-Term Planning: Leadership Training/Planning conference—whenever youth leaders are changed

Example: Preferred Venturing Activities Camping trips (5) –Fishing (4) –Cave Exploring (4) –Winter Camping (4) –Ice Skating Party (3) –Winter Sports (3) –Cycling/Mountain Biking (3) –Bike Hike (3) –River Rafting (3) –Rock Climbing/Rappeling (3) –Wilderness Survival (3) –Canoeing (3) –Ski Weekend (2) –Backpacking (2) Produce a play (5) Swimming Party (3) Pancake Breakfast (3) Cooking (3) Lifesaving/Swimming (3) Shooting Sports Meet (3)

Preferred Duty to God Activities 15-mile backpack (3) Camping trip (3) Plan and conduct an overnight activity close to home (3) 6-mile run (2) 3 Work-place visits (3) Learn to find a job—prepare a resume (2) Plan and put on a variety show (2) Read and learn about dating (4) Service projects (2)

Conducting: Bishop’s First Assistant / Crew President In Attendance: Bishop, Young Men’s President, Venturing Crew Advisor, Crew President, Bishop’s Assistants, and Secretary Materials Needed: Compiled results from Program Capability Inventory (adult survey), Activity Interest Survey (young men survey), and chosen Duty to God activities. Calendar for each participant (with church, school, community and vacation dates already inserted). Reference Books: Scriptures, Priest Duty to God book, Church Handbook of Instructions for Aaronic Priesthood (pp ), Venturer/Ranger handbook, Venturing Leader Manual, Venturing Leadership Skills Course. Priest/Venturer Training and Planning Retreat Could be done on a Saturday afternoon at the Church, or in a camping environment, or some other suitable location depending upon preference of you Crew.

SAMPLE AGENDA 2:30Greeting by 1 st Assistant Opening Prayer Priesthood Purposes:Led by 2 nd Assistant 2:35-2:50Opening Remarks: Bishop 2:50-3:10Introduction to Priests’ Quorum Leadership: YM President 3:10-3:25Introduction to Venturing Program Leadership: Venture Advisor 3:25-3:40Initiative Game/Reflection: 1 st Assistant 3:40-3:50The Program Planning Process: Venture Advisor 3:50-4:30Suggested Activities for the Year:Presidency, led by 1 st Asistant 4:30-4:40Leadership Activity: Venture Advisor / YM President 4:40-5:30Outline major outings and monthly themes: Presidency, led by 1 st Assistant Follow the Program Planning Process: (1) Write in dates on calendars, avoiding conflicts with church, school, vacations, etc. (2) Appoint a Priest to chair each event (use survey). Select an adult consultant to assist the Priest. (3) Create a “draft” annual plan to share with parents. 5:30 Closing Prayer

During the Conference help the youth leader in charge: Follow the agenda Choose an adult on the list of consultants for each of the preferred activities Use the PCI, AIS, and DTG requirements to prepare a year-long plan Choose a Super Activity Choose one major activity/theme for each month and write it on the calendar Long-Term Planning: Leadership Training/Planning conference—whenever youth leaders are changed

After the conference: Use the planning calendar to prepare a list of year-long activities. Have a parents meeting—distribute the printed list of the year-long activities. Use the list in regular presidency meetings. Long-Term Planning: Leadership Training/Planning conference—whenever youth leaders are changed

Tentative Schedule of Major Priests’ Quorum/Venturing Outings for 2005 Las Cruces Fourth Ward, Planned Nov. 6, 2004 DateActivity January (Fri & Sat) Winter Camp, Cloudcroft February 19 (Sat) Stake Laurel and Priest Temple Trip, Albuq. (Stake Bus) March 12(Sat) Priest/Laurel Conference, Venus Chapel (Multi-Stake) April 16(Sat) 4th Ward Temple Trip, Albuquerque (Stake Bus) June 1-5 (Wed thru Sun) *Super Activity, Entrada High Adventure Base, Moab June (Fri & Sat) Fishing/Wilderness Survival Camp, Whitewater Canyon July (Thurs thru Sat) Youth Conference July (Thurs thru Sat) Fourth Ward Campout (Saturday Pancake Breakfast) August 27 (Sat) Stake Mini-MTC September (Fri & Sat) Campout, Middle Fork of the Gila Wilderness October 7-8 (Fri & Sat) Mormon Battalion Campout November (Fri & Sat) Campout, Tour of the Gila Bike Hike This schedule was planned by the Priests’ quorum during their Training/Planning Retreat on Saturday, November 6, Camping trips are shown in bold. Seven camping trips are planned to meet the desires of this group to do more camping. *This Super Activity, including the Sunday return trip, was approved November 7, 2004 by the bishopric and by President Allred.

Short-Term Planning

Short-Term Planning: Monthly or bimonthly presidency meetings Prior to the meeting: Meet individually with the youth who will conduct the meeting Help him prepare an agenda and be prepared to run the meeting During the meeting: Let the youth leader run the meeting Make sure assignments are given and written down Make sure an Activity Chairman is assigned for each activity Prepare a planning form for each activity chairman—Write the activity and its Priesthood Purpose at the top of each planning form After the meeting—follow through to help the young men achieve success: Remind the youth leader to follow up on assignments Make sure a prepared Planning Form is given to each Activity Chairman Have one adult advisor or consultant meet with each Activity Chairman to help him plan the activity

Presidency Meeting Agenda (Detailed Planning: 4 th Wed., Followup: 2 nd Wed., 6 p.m.) Place_____________, Date___________, Time______ Meeting Conducted by_________________________ Opening Song, Prayer, Spiritual Thought (5 min.) Advisor Training (5 min.) Minutes of Last Meeting Duty to God Report (3 min.) Reflections: last month’s meetings, activities (3 min.) Review of 3-Month Plan: assign chairmen for all activities in the third month (10 min.) Report on Plans of Chairmen for Second Month (10 min.) Detailed Plan for Next Month: week by week plan using the planning worksheets (25 min.) List all “Action” assignments (report at next meeting)

Priesthood Purpose___________

Tentative Plans for January, February and March 2005 Priests / Venturers 3rd Wednesdays—Joint Activities, 4th Wednesdays—Joint Activities with Laurels January Theme: Winter Camping Activity Chair Wed, Jan 5 Flag Sales—fundraising Jared Sat, Jan 8 Stake General Priesthood Meeting, 7 p.m. Wed, Jan 12 Joint Activity with Laurels—group game Joel Wed, Jan 19 Joint Activitywith 3rd Ward Bro. Hill Fri & Sat, Jan Winter Camp at Cloudcroft Joel Wed, Jan 26 Flag Sales—fundraising Jared February Theme: Temple / Service Wed, Feb 2 Basketball Night—DTG Req. for Ryan Ryan Wed, Feb 9 Service Project—DTG Req. Joel Sat, Feb 19 Stake Temple Bus Trip for Priests and Laurels, 7:30 am - 8 pm Wed, Feb 16 Joint Activity Mon, Feb 21 President’s Day—Flag Posting and Retrieving Jared Wed, Feb 23 Joint Activity with Laurels—Laurels in charge Sat & Sun, Feb Stake Conference March Theme: Dating and Priest/Laurel Conference Wed, Mar 2 Jacob’s activity Jacob Wed, Mar 9 Read about and discuss dating—DTG Req. Shawn Sat, Mar 12 Priest/Laurel Conference, all day, Venus Chapel Wed, Mar 16 Joint Activity Wed, Mar 23 Spring Break—no meeting Wed, Mar 30 Joint Activity with Laurels—Dating panel Shawn Activities in Bold are the major monthly activities