1. Building a Core Youth Team & Fostering Leadership in Youth Ynez Lizarraga

2. Gathering Youth Leaders Option 1: Choose youth from your parish who you see leadership qualities in. Ask them if they would like to be a leader on your Core Team OR Option 2: Have a sign up sheet where youth can volunteer to be on the Core Team OR Option 3: A combination of both: Have a sign up sheet, then interview the youth to choose which ones have the leadership qualities you are looking for *For any option, make sure to clearly state what the time commitment and responsibilities of being a Core Leader will be before advertising

3. Leadership Training  Servant Leadership  Facilitating Discussions  Giving Witness Talks  Leading Activities  Leading Prayer & Prayer Services

4. Forming a Core Team Covenant  Together, as a group, form a covenant that includes group agreements, meeting times, and responsibilities

5. Bonding, Bonding, Bonding  Bonding is very important in building group cohesion and teamwork  Start the beginning of your year with a Core Day  Allow members to share about themselves with one another  Facilitate activities that help the group work better with one another  Have honest discussions about group dynamics  Throughout the year, have periodic outings/bonding days together  However, be sure to emphasize that they are there to serve the rest of the youth and are not “Above” the rest of the youth since they are leaders

6. Core Team Responsibilities  See handout

7. Core Team Committees  Publicity  In charge of creating flyers and advertising events on social media/ in person  Music  In charge of Praise and Worship and the Teen Choir  Event Coordinators  In charge of planning for events

8. Core Meetings  Two Parts: Group Formation & Planning  Group Formation  Core member check-in  Prayer/Reflection  Team building activity  Planning  Evaluating past youth group meetings to inform future meetings  Those who are leading the next youth group meetings present their agenda, discuss  Evaluating past events/ planning for upcoming events