Presented by Bob Fox (Katie was ill and unable to be there, some other youth stepped up so that there was youth contribution, not all just Bob.)
What is the purpose of a youth group (YRUU group)?
- Incubate leadership skills through empowering the youth
- Build relationships between youth and adults
- Worship and Social justice and service by and for youth
- Explore and develop UU religious Identity
- Celebrate the diverse gifts of each individual
- Social connections and fun grounded in UU values (Make sure to include some Youth-only time)
- Sacred space: a refuge from shallow judgmental world
- To make the world a better place
Who is in charge?
- Youth and adults together: Collaborate to create programming that fosters empowerment (not entitlement)
- Youth Leaders
- Adult Advisors
- Some things are not up for vote (for instance safety concerns)
- With empowerment comes accountability and responsibility
***Send Youth and Adults to TRAINING!!!***
Recognize a tension between youth who are experiencing fantastic worship, connection, empowerment at cons and youth who aren’t (who are isolated in congregations)
Idea: Youth can co-host a con with another congregation. E.g. an experienced congregation without the facility can help an inexperienced congregation willing to provide space.
Youth techniques that are good for facilitating conversations
- ‘I agree’ as a non verbal (ASL) Yes sign, used to indicate support for an idea without interrupting the speaker or flow of conversation
- ‘I disagree’ as a non verbal “cut” sign
- ‘Silence please’ hand signal called “silent coyote”
- Stacking: keeping track of everyone who had their hand up to speak, in order, so that people don’t have to keep their hands up
- Request cut in line to speak when stacking: hand signal “piggyback” Used when your comment directly follows on to previous speakers comment.
- Step Back/Step Forward: a reminder for those who tend to talk a lot to hold back and for those who are shy or reluctant to speak to make the effort. This applies particularly to stepping back for members of privileged groups (Adults, Whites, etc.)
- 'off topic' : a hand signal called "irrelevant elephant"
- 'Tangent' : a hand signal similar to the "left turn signal" used by bicyclists
- No harshing on mellows: a reminder to respect other people's points of view and mood states. Don't push someone to change (especially don't push them to join a particular group activity.)
- Energy Monitor: A person or team assigned to watch the dynamics of the group. They will watch for *people feeling left out *tangents *power dynamics *low energy (and introduce an "energy break" if needed.)
- Touch Groups: Didn't get a clear definition but think it is something like small group ministry
- Energy Breaks: Remembering that human bodies need to move... songs and play activities to get out ya-yas and raise the energy of the group
Note:
Youth culture is good at disagreement that is kinder than adult culture. Adults tend to be harsher and more direct about criticism which often can kill a brainstorm session.
Youth have more tolerance for chaos - Adults need to learn chaos tolerance. It is a good skill to have and does not detract from the benefits of the experience.
The process is critical and is of equal value to the outcome - it isn't worth it to get an outcome if the process sucks
Adults can learn a great deal from youth.
No comments:
Post a Comment