NYLC Blog
Thank You for Your Support on Give to the Max Day 2012
Thank you to everyone who donated on November 15, Razoo and GiveMN’s Give to the Max Day! Please see our special thank you message from NYLC CEO Kelita Bak and members of the National Youth Advisory Council.
NYLC had a great turnout for our annual campaign kickoff, with 36 donations totaling over $3,600! We are honored by the tremendous generosity and participation from our supporters around the country, including former National Youth Leadership Training participants, our staff and Board of Directors, families of the youth who have been impacted by our programs, and former staff and volunteers. To date we have raised over $4,000 to support the expansion of the 2013 National Youth Leadership Training. We didn’t get a Golden Ticket, but we still think this is a Golden Opportunity!
For all nonprofits, the fourth annual Give to the Max Day surpassed $1 million in just two hours and by midnight had exceeded $16 million as organizers and supporters of nonprofit organizations nationwide beat last year's fundraising efforts by over 22%.
Give to the Max Day was a great start to help us reach our goal to raise $15,000 by the end of the calendar year. We need your support to expand NYLT to 75 teams from 75 communities across the country. Please consider making a year-end gift to NYLC and help us continue to spread the message to family, friends, and social networks about this amazing program and how it is creating the next generation of young leaders.
Donate today by visiting www.givemn.com/nylc or www.nylc.org/donate or send a check to NYLC: 1667 Snelling Ave N Suite D300, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Read about the experiences of NYLT youth participants from 2012:
Joseph Mitchell: http://www.nylc.org/blog/becoming-leader-nylt
Kristopher Brown: http://www.nylc.org/blog/confidence-reassurance-and-hope
Haley Holliday: http://www.nylc.org/blog/national-youth-leadership-training-experience-lifetime
For more detailed information on NYLT please visit the National Youth Leadership Training webpage (http://www.nylc.org/nylt) or Contact Amanda Larson, Professional Development Manager, Youth Initiatives Lead at alarson@nylc.org.
GSN Featured Member of the Month: Hunter Mullis
Hunter Mullis is part of a growing demographic of Generator School Network users: youth. A resource previously exclusive to educators and community leaders involved in service-learning, Hunter is excited for the opportunity to introduce youth voice to the GSN conversation.
The North Carolina native, like many of the youth we reach, became acquainted with NYLC and its programs through the National Youth Leadership Training during the summer after her freshman year. She was quickly sold on the concept of service-learning. She recognized not only the potential of service-learning as a methodology, but her own potential as a service-learning advocate and practitioner.
She is currently working with her mentor to implement service-learning in all schools across her county. Having seen the impact of service-learning in nearby Guildford County — and even having assisted in NYLC-hosted training there — Hunter resolved to learn from their success and apply it to her efforts locally.
Learn more about how under has used the GSN to support her service-learning projects and community involvement in the Connect section of the GSN.
National Youth Leadership Training: Experience of a Lifetime!
NYLT…WOW! What an experience!
Aside from the wonderfulness that is Minnesota, there are so many different things that I learned at the 2012 National Youth Leadership Training and will always cherish. NYLT taught me so much, not only about the achievement gap and service-learning, but also about myself as a member of society and a leader.
From the rough 24 hours that was so wonderfully called Immersion, to the diversity workshops, to the many games that we all became so good at by the end of the week, I absolutely had a blast. Immersion was one of those things that you reflect on and love, but you aren’t so fond of while experiencing it. I mean who wants to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere not knowing what is to come? But really, Immersion helped to strengthen my leadership skills and really was a crucial part of my NYLT experience.
Aside from the jokes that we would be camping out for the ENTIRE week, or that we were going to have to bathe in the lake, immersion was that time to get you out of your comfort zone and experience discomfort. Every activity that I participated in during those 24 hours helped to strengthen my teambuilding skills, which have become beneficial during the orchestration of my Service-Learning Action Plan project.
Aside from the whole vibe of the camp, learning about the achievement gap was one of those big — as Oprah would say — “AHA” moments. NYLT was such an important experience for me because it brought an awareness to me about some issues I hadn’t known about. Learning about this helped me to realize that this gap causes disadvantages, which often leads to a cycle of continual shortcomings that in turn creates a probable chance for failing.
Because of NYLT, I have made friendships and connections with people I never would have, and now with the Generator School Network we have an opportunity to stay connected and support each other and our Service-Learning Action Plan projects from afar. My biggest takeaway from NYLT was the leadership skills I gained and the enlightenment I received that I will use in my future. NYLT will forever be an experience that I will look back on and view as a defining time in my life!
Haley Holliday attended the National Youth Leadership Training in 2012, and now serves as an NYLC Youth Advisory Council member. To donate to NYLC on Give to the Max Day, November 15, visit www.givemn.com/nylc.
Confidence, Reassurance, and Hope
At first I was skeptical. I hated flying, and I had never been to Minnesota (or anywhere close to it). People who had attended National Youth Leadership Training before me tried convince me that I had nothing to worry about because it was fun, but still had my doubts.
But despite my skepticism, by the end of the week I was sad it was over. The friends I had made were friends I would undoubtedly have for years, the skills I had gained were skills I never thought I could channel, and the knowledge I attained pertaining to the achievement gap was knowledge I knew would help me make a difference in my local community.
This camp is so important, for more reasons than I can count. Connecting with other like-minded kids from across the country who, like you, have a strong desire to participate in service-learning projects can really give you that extra motivation you need to go out and make a change.
This camp was important to me personally because it helped me find the courage to be open with people I had never met. In just one week, I was comfortable sharing my life story with people that used to be complete strangers. This camp gives kids, including myself, confidence in themselves, reassurance in their service-learning efforts, and hope in that there are people like them across the country trying to make their communities better.
The things I took away from NYLT have better equipped me to reach my service-learning and even my personal goals. I can't stress enough how crucial NYLT is for the development of youth dedicated to service-learning and the communities that these dedicated youth call home.
NYLT would be nothing without the support of its partners. So please, give as much as you can. We can't do this without you!
Kris Brown attended the National Youth Leadership Training in 2012, and now serves as an NYLC Youth Advisory Council member. To donate to NYLC on Give to the Max Day, November 15, visit www.givemn.com/nylc.
Becoming a Leader at NYLT
The National Youth Leadership Training is important to me because it taught me how to be a better leader in my school, home, and throughout my community. Starting out at my new school, which means I was on new sports teams and in new classrooms with total strangers, I was nervous to speak when the coach or teacher would ask me questions in front of the team or class because I was afraid of what the other people would think of the things I would say.
I was like this as well starting out at NYLT — I tend to be very quiet and laidback until I build my confidence up enough to talk to people in my group. Instead of doing that I wanted to just be myself by showing my leadership skills to the group right off the bat, and for doing that I have received various compliments on how I have showed other people what I can do in different situations.
I’m glad I went to NYLT this summer. It has made me the outspoken man I am today, and I use what I learned at camp every day at school, with different sports teams, and with the multiple clubs I am in.
At NYLT, feeding off the people around you and learning from them can make you a better leader. NYLT gives you great ideas on how to do better in life and also close the achievement gap through service-learning in your county or district. Service-learning is a base that gets you involved in helping with different things to improve your community today. NYLT is a great way to make new friends that will last a lifetime, and for you to have the chance to come back next year to help with the camp, teach the next set of future leaders how to find their inner-self, and to do great things in the future.
As they say at NYLT, “Sometimes you have to follow in order to become a great leader.”
Joseph Mitchell attended the National Youth Leadership Training in 2012, and now serves as an NYLC Youth Advisory Council member. To donate to NYLC on Give to the Max Day, November 15, visit www.givemn.com/nylc.
Youth Council Collaboration: From Start to Finish
As it turns out, many youth councils have very similar training needs for their youth leaders, no matter what the purpose or structure of the group. Last weekend, NYLC participated in an organically-created Twin Cities Youth Council Collaborative Training, which brought together nearly 70 high school students from seven different youth councils/boards. Students from Brooklyn’s Youth Council (from Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, Minn.), the East Metro Integration District Youth Executive Board, HandsOn Twin Cities Youth Executive Board, Higher Ground Academy’s Student Council, ISD 622 Youth Leadership Council, the Minnesota Youth Council, and NYLC’s Youth Advisory Council came together to network, learn about each other’s work, and participate in joint-led trainings to prepare for the year of leadership ahead. It was a great afternoon filled with energy and a collaborative spirit.
The idea for this training developed when another youth council advisor and I were sharing training ideas that we offer for our respective youth advisory councils, and we realized that despite the fact that she ran a local group and I oversaw a national group, we still wanted the youth on our councils to be ready to facilitate meetings and reflections, speak publicly and share the work that they do with confidence, be ready to represent the organization at professional events, and work respectfully and deliberately with people from all walks of life.
Through that conversation we realized there was no need for each of us to be working in isolation to plan our own trainings using our own resources — so why not collaborate?! And if we felt this way, surely other adult advisors of youth leadership groups felt the exact same way. So we sent out an email invitation to the short list of youth council advisors that we each knew to see if they were interested in joining efforts, and soon the planning was underway.
We worked in partnership from start to finish, with different organizations taking on the responsibility of organizing a schedule based on each student’s session preference, compiling and printing nametags, creating posters, facilitating various workshops based on needed skillsets, and collectively contributing to the snack selection. What might have been a large undertaking for one person or one organization to manage alone seemed like very little work when we each took responsibility for various elements of the event.
While the cooperative training was a fun event that brought us all together for an inspiring afternoon, it was only the beginning of collaborations to come. This was a tangible idea for us all to jump into together, but conversations will continue about how we can best support one another’s work. We will also be continuing to connect and share the work of our councils through our group in NYLC’s Generator School Network.
If you are interested in joining the conversation or getting your own youth leadership team involved, please contact me at alarson@nylc.org or 651-999-7362. The more the merrier!
A Brief Post-Election Message
To each of you who participated in our nation’s election yesterday – thank you. Regardless of who you voted for, whether it was early, by absentee, or yesterday, it was so wonderful to see the “I Voted” stickers and the amazing turnout at the polls around the country.
While votes in many races are still being tallied, billions have been spent in this election cycle, and the popular vote was very close, we now know that President Obama has been re-elected, the Democrats retained control of the Senate and the Republicans have retained control of the House. Lots of political pundits are issuing opinions about what this says about the country and lessons learned. NYLC has its own political pundit coming to the board meeting on Friday so I’ll defer to him on the broader implications, but I’d like to share my initial thoughts on what I see in the election results:
1) NYLC’s focus and strong commitment to bipartisan outreach in our public policy efforts continues to be the right strategy;
2) That young people who increased their participation in this election over 2008 show that they are raising their voices and being heard (as we advocate for);
3) With Maryland voting in support of the Dream Act and same-sex marriage, and Minnesota voting against defining marriage as solely between a man and woman for example, offers not only a of sense of increased tolerance in this country but also hope that we can successfully address long-standing civil rights issues; and
4) That the groundwork NYLC has laid this past year in Congress and in several federal agencies to increase opportunities for positive youth outcomes through service-learning has a chance to move forward with this administration.
It is not a true comparison by any stretch, but I can’t help but see an analogy between being on the campaign trail, and our own challenge of aligning vision with resources, managing day-to-day deliverables, and needing everyone to pull together for a common goal. A decision has been made. We know the reward is in sight and character is shaped by the challenges we overcome. Like President Obama, I too return to the office today more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.
Thanks for indulging me in sharing some thoughts and for all of your confidence that we can continue on this path as we move forward.
With appreciation,
Kelita
Big Announcement: Keynote Speakers Confirmed for Without Limits!
Early-Bird Discount Extended to Those Affected by Hurricane Sandy
For those who have been affected by hurricane Sandy, NYLC has extended the Early Bird rate until November 21. Use the codes SANDY2012 to receive the adult rate of $520, and the youth rate of $425 (for attendees age 23 or younger).
It’s no secret that the staff here at NYLC and at Earth Force, our cohost for this amazing event, is excited for the 24th annual National Service-Learning Conference®, Without Limits. The conference is in Denver this coming March 13-15, 2013. With the great lineup of speakers, topics, and sponsors, it’s going to be an action-packed two days of awesomeness.
We’re excited to bring you some breaking news about the event. Naomi Tutu, daughter of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and associate director of the Office of International Programs at Tenn. State University and Dwayne Betts, Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and an award-winning writer and poet, will be keynoting the event!
And you won’t want to miss our youth keynote speakers, Special Olympics athlete and Youth Activation Committee member Danielle Liebl, Special Olympics Youth Activation Committee member Kaitlyn Smith, and Jorge Zamora, a student at Chicago Bulls College Prep. Youth Service America President and CEO Steve Culbertson and NYLC's CEO Kelita Bak round out the slate of plenary speakers.
This conference is shaping up to the best yet. Visit our website at www.nylc.org/conference to learn all about the great things you can expect!
Selecting Quality Workshops for Without Limits
Each year, a diverse group of service-learning professionals converge at the NYLC offices to participate in the on-site workshop proposal review to select workshops for the National Service-Learning Conference. Sorting through quality workshop proposals is no easy task, but is something that our group of 14 reviewers took very seriously to help ensure that the 24th Annual National Service-Learning Conference, Without Limits, has quality programming scheduled.
Reviewers included NYLC staff, teachers, partners, and youth. The two-day process was co-facilitated by Joan Lennon Liptrot, Executive Director of the Institute for Global Education and Service-Learning, and myself, and involved reviewing 120 proposals to select the best ones for the available workshop slots.
Like I said before, this was no easy task.
But the reviewers involved thought critically about the workshop topics, target audiences, national representation, and the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The group also worked to identify strong Service-Learning Showcase candidates as well as potential exhibitors. At the conclusion of the event, reviewers thought critically about how to improve the Call for Proposals process next year for the 2014 National Service-Learning Conference, which will take place in Washington, D.C.
On behalf of NYLC, I want to thank you to all of our workshop reviewers! I hope to see you all at the 24th Annual National Service-Learning Conference from March 13-15 in Denver!
Connect Before the National Service-Learning Conference in the GSN
Without Limits, the 24th Annual National Service-Learning Conference® will take place March 13-15, 2013 in Denver, Colo. The conference offers students and adults the opportunity to network, attend professional development sessions, become inspired, and learn from leaders in the field. This year’s theme, Without Limits, represents the limitless potential of all young people and the adults who support them to solve real-world problems. From addressing global waste and raising awareness on water pollution, to offering solutions to the achievement gap, to advocating for laws to improve teen driver safety — youth make change happen. And today’s young people are more informed, more connected, and better positioned than before to tackle the toughest challenges of today.
We are excited to hear from these amazing young people and to learn from them as well as the adults who support them. With the Generator School Network, NYLC’s free online community for educators and youth involved in service-learning, you don’t have to wait until March to start sharing with other attendees. Join the GSN and get connected today.
GSN members can share and learn with other conference attendees and stay connected after the conference is over. You can watch videos and look at pictures from past conferences, participate in lively discussions, and share information about your service-learning projects and resources. You can also start your own discussion groups within the GSN or connect with other members or groups, like Service-Learning Young Professionals.
Check out this video about the GSN and then log on to gsn.nylc.org to join.
Already a GSN member? Join the 2013 National Service-Learning Conference discussion group and add to the conversation.
This spring, nearly 2,000 students and educators will gather in Denver to explore how youth — along with educators, policy makers, and community leaders — can make real-world change. We can’t wait to see you in Denver and until then, we look forward to connecting with you in the GSN!
