1. Leadership Development at YouthBuild
Hello. Today I’d like to talk with you about Leadership Development in YouthBuild. Specifically,
Why leadership development is important
What leadership development is, and
How to do leadership development in a YouthBuild program
We’ll also explore some pitfalls and obstacles to leadership development.
Your questions and concerns are welcomed throughout.
Leadership development is an exciting and challenging part of the YB program.

2. Examples of Leadership Development and Youth Voice in YouthBuild Programs
By now, you are probably getting the idea that Leadership Development in a YB program is not just a workshop on Friday afternoon. So now let’s go through the components of a YB program to see how leadership development can be woven into every part, every day. 2

3. 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
First, there is LD in the structure of the classroom.
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4. 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
Then there is LD opportunities in the content of a YB classroom, and ideal place to learn and study about leadership.
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5. 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
The construction worksite is a perfect environment for learning leadership skills. Here are some of the ways YB sites do LD on the worksite.
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6. Leadership Development in the Counseling Component
Young people strengthen their leadership by:
learning to lead discussion groups
learning to do peer counseling
practicing peer mediation and conflict-resolution skills
exploring cultural diversity issues
making individual leadership development and life plans
learning to better navigate external world
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7. 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
Here are some sample leadership skills that are valued by employers, by colleges, by friends, and by one’s family and children. These can be emphasized throughout the program, by all staff and students.
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8. 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
A program policy committee is a key training ground for leadership. In YB here’s what it looks like. You can adapt it to fit your program.
Serious training. YP don’t usually come with the skills for effective leadership work. Take their development seriously.
Serious respect: It is crucial that YP meet with director, the person with the most power in the YB program. Why? If they meet with the counselor, who might be a wonderful staff person, the decisions they make will still need to be okayed by the director. Have the director there from the beginning. YP will experience more respect.
Serious tasks: I was a student leaders in high school. We got to make important decisions like whether to get a Coke machine or a Pepsi machine in the cafeteria. In YB, PC makes substantive decisions.
Good group process. Teach process that will make for effective meetings and also be useful throughout the lives of the young people.
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9. 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
There are many ways to provide leadership experiences in the general operations of the program. It begins with an attitude and an expectation, namely that:
Young people are assumed to be leaders. YB yp have often been raising families of their own or been the oldest child responsible for young sisters and brothers. Or maybe they were involved in gangs and have experience with security systems, market systems, distribution systems, and such. YB calls on this leadership experience.
[…elaborate on the list, if necessary or desirable.]
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10. 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
There are lots of ways YB students can practice leadership in the community. For example…[bring in the examples one by one, elaborate with specifics if possible]
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