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Think of the
successful leaders you know.
They probably have one trait in common – the
ability to communicate effectively.
Kids need the Youth Leadership program
so they can grow to meet the challenges of adulthood and leadership
successfully. Sponsored and conducted by Toastmasters International and its
local clubs, Youth Leadership helps young people build their
communication and leadership skills so they may become tomorrow's leaders in
business, industry and the community.
Purpose of the
Program
Every young person has the potential to become a good communicator
and leader, but this potential needs to be developed. The program's unique
eight-session, workshop-style design enables participants to develop this
potential through practical experience.
The program is not in competition with school programs or courses, or other
established youth projects. Instead, it's a supplement to these programs,
providing emphasis on specialized speaking and leadership skills, and individual
needs. Participants learn to:
- Overcome nervousness when speaking before
an audience.
- Organize and present ideas logically and
convincingly.
- Listen carefully to others' ideas.
- Offer advice to help others improve their
speaking and leadership skills.
- Participate in - and even lead - group
discussion or meetings.
Participants increase their self-confidence as
they learn. They also make new friends and have fun. Toastmasters is an
enjoyable learning experience!
The Participants
Each Youth Leadership program group is limited to 15 to 20
people, with a maximum of 25. That way, each person receives individual
attention and has the opportunity to get practical experience. Participants for
the program are selected by the sponsoring Toastmasters club or by a cooperating
organization (such as their school). The program is not an award to honor those
who already have become leaders. It’s designed for the much larger group who are
still working on communication skills. Participants are selected for what they
can become, not for what they already have done. Often teenagers want the course
as a supplement to their high school education, or to prepare for college.
The Sponsors
A local Toastmasters club serves as sponsor and provides the
experienced leaders needed to present the program. These adults are patient and
understanding; they remember their own struggles with youthful issues and work
well with kids as a result.
The adult with overall responsibility for the program is the coordinator. He or
she works closely with any cooperating organization and attends each meeting,
conducting most of the training and counseling participants. The coordinator has
an assistant who conducts discussions and substitutes for the coordinator,
should he or she be unable to attend a meeting.
How it Works
The program is presented in eight sessions during or after school, or on
weekends. Each session usually lasts one to two hours. Activities taking place
in the sessions include the following:
- Evaluation of present speaking ability
- Discussion of chairmanship principles
- Presentation of speeches
- Impromptu talks
- Group evaluation
- Discussion of speech organization
- Discussion and practice in listening
- Discussion of gestures in speaking
- Discussion of voice and vocabulary
- Exercise in chairmanship
There is usually no cost to participants for
tuition or materials. The materials used in the program are produced by
Toastmasters International and are provided by the sponsoring Toastmasters club,
which orders them from Toastmasters World Headquarters for a small fee.
Generally, meetings follow a format similar to
that of a Toastmasters club meeting. There is an announced agenda and
participants learn and practice parliamentary procedure during each meeting.
Lecturing is minimal, but discussion is held during each session. Participants,
working from a handbook, select officers who preside over the meetings. The
remaining class members are assigned other duties on a rotating basis, so
everyone is actively involved. Participants also deliver short impromptu and
prepared speeches. In every meeting, participants learn to apply the principles
of listening, thinking and speaking.
How to Start a
Program
Youth Leadership may be conducted for scout troops, 4-H clubs,
church youth groups and many other organizations, and for young people in the
community. However, all programs must be presented by a Toastmasters club,
following the guidelines in the
Youth Leadership Coordinator's Guide (Item 802). Clubs may order
coordinator's guides and
Youth Leadership Participant’s Notebooks (Item 805) from World
Headquarters.
E-mail
membership@toastmasters.org to
learn more about the Youth Leadership program.
Clubs conduct the program on a voluntary basis.
Find a nearby club that
may want to conduct a program for your organization.
If you need to order materials, contact the
Member Services Department at 949-858-8255 or visit the
online store
Courtesy:
http://www.toastmasters.org/
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