Student Leaders

Since it has been nearly if not exactly two weeks since I have had the opportunity to post here, there will be several updates today. The first of which involves getting younger people involved not only with Kiwanis but community service in general. Our club now has if somewhat limited a myspace page and also a facebook page. While setting up the facebook page I came across a college student who has been involved with our Adventures in Friendship program and has posted a facebook page for the program. After getting in contact with him he asked to come to one of our meetings to discuss a new program called student leaders. Although our club has yet to fully participate in the program I hope we can support it in some way. Here is a general review of the program.

Student Leaders

A Youth Led Progressive Action Team

STATEMENT OF NEED

Area schools do not connect with one another unless it’s on a playing field. Competition is the primary form of exchange, not collaboration. Even Academic Challenge, built upon learning achievement, is competition-based.

Every student class within the regional school system has officers to provide leadership. However, these officers function primarily within their own classes and are sometimes not directed as much as they should be. There is no network of existing student officers to provide them with leadership skills, interaction with other leaders, or visionary rewards.

Throughout the region, students are attending college and ultimately establishing lives outside the region. There is little loyalty or sense of responsibility.

VISION

Student Leaders will lead to a better regional community by enhancing individual student growth, connecting student leaders with community leaders, and developing new programs to meet the leadership and services needs within our communities.

PROGRAM

Student Leaders will be an electronic and physical network of student officers from Perkins, Huron, Sandusky, SCCS, EHOVE, Margaretta, Clyde, Oak Harbor, Port Clinton, Edison, Bellevue, and BGSU Firelands. It will connect student leaders with existing community leaders, such as those holding leadership positions in regional or community organizations or graduates of leadership programs.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Develop electronic network of student leaders elected in officer positions within their classes

Meetings among student officers

Presentations from community leaders/visionaries

Facilitated roundtable discussions centered around topics such as service
opportunities,regional education needs, and program ideas

BENEFITS

Increased community service through greater awareness of opportunities and collaboration of efforts

Enhanced communication skills and confidence among students through more frequent and quality interactions with adult leaders, leading to increased credibility of students.

Increased loyalty to the community by forging and fostering networks among students and adult leaders, resulting in increased commitment by these students in the future to live, work and play in the region

Enhanced programs to fulfill needs at area schools as a result of student leaders sharing challenges and solutions among one another

Enhanced spirit of community by linking normally competitive educational systems with common goals.

I want to thank each and every student that has taken the initiative to start this program and I hope it will be successful.