Renewed, Re-tooled, Re-energized; YouthBuild Transformation Institute in Cambridge
Some conferences are fantastic and some are magic…
More than two hundred, program managers, instructional leaders, teachers, counselors, program managers, alumni and young people attend the 5 events that made up the Transformation Institute in Cambridge July 28-August 3, 2006.
YouthBuild Graduate Leaders serving on the National Alumni Council (NAC) came to Cambridge Massachusetts for new member orientation, strategic planning, updates on Youth Build's 1,000 Leaders Network and Executive Committee Elections.
The newly elected NAC Executive Committee members are:
Antonio Ramirez - President
Mike Dean Vice President
Jamie Turner Secretary
Katie Gropp Treasurer
YouthBuild founders Dorothy Stoneman and John Bell spent time with the NAC talking about voter registration for the 2006 Midterm elections and the important role Youthbuild graduates can play in the betterment of the nation and the world. The concept of the Transformation Generation was born and key concepts for the 2006 Alumni Xchange were designed by NAC members. All in all there was good learning, information sharing and community building to serve the growth of the Youthbuild field and the YouthBuild 1,000 Leader Network.
National Alumni Council members with YouthBuild USA staff.
Sixty staff from YouthBuild programs in the Mid Atlantic/New England region came for a day of connection and peer learning. Participants were able to choose short workshops on Substance Abuse, Green Career Pathways, the Blueprint for Democracy, the IDA program, Advocacy, and OSHA certification. We ended the day with a rousing session of OPEN SPACE, a peer learning format that always works.
Chris Cato closes out open space with the ubiquitous organic orange.
Satisfied participants at the Multi-Site Gathering
One fabulous keynote by Dorothy Stoneman, two fabulous Master/Mistress of ceremonies (Elijah Williams and Bea Sweet) 250 organic oranges and 7 courses equals one magical event. Every Course was highly rated in an effort to reach high outcomes and the goals of the Campaign for Excellence. Here are the courses that were offered in Cambridge:
Supporting Graduate Transitions to College
Fundamentals of YouthBuild
Green Building Made Feasible
Quantum Learning for Teachers
The Mental Toughness Experience
YouthBuild Sustainability Seminar
Accountability and Relationships: How to Work with Young People
The Academy To Go can bring any of the above courses to your program. Contact Michelle Quinn-Davidson for details.
Dorothy Stoneman delivering the keynote
Bea Sweet leading the Youth Panel.
Elijah Williams training on "Adultism"
Theater techniques used in the “How to Work with Young People” course
Salsa at the Many Colors of YouthBuild
View the video clip we made for our friends in Gulfport, MS
Twenty-one members of YouthBuild’s National Schools Initiative (NSI) joined together for the 1st Annual NSI Instructional Leadership Institute. Attendees spent an intensive 3-days focusing on the issues and needs of school principals, directors, and lead teachers and answered the question of “How do you deepen instructional leadership to help all students become successful learners.
Andrew Mente, Mikey Caban and the crew from YouthBuild Lawrence hosted 25 participants from around the country for a site visit. Participants toured a home that was built by the program and learned about the history, management and best practices of the program. YouthBuild Lawrence was chosen as one of YouthBuild USA's High Performing Sites.
