1 | Special Olympics

Inclusive Youth Leadership Welcome to the 2014 Special Olympics Project UNIFY® Inclusive

Youth Leadership Workshop! This document encompasses a

comprehensive overview of the core characteristics of Inclusive

Youth Leadership. You will also be provided links to resources

mentioned throughout the presentation

Inclusive Youth Leadership There are many models of leadership that are currently exercised today. Below are three common models:

Transactional Model Adult-Driven, Youth

Input Model Servant Model

Traits

! List of completed and uncompleted items.

! Hyper-focus on the outcome(s).

! Youth are given options to decide upon.

! Youth and adults may not communicate effectively, due to power struggles.

! Objective is to serve others – to help them.

! Can be ad-hoc or activity-based, type of engagement.

Mindset

! Getting things done.

! Let’s follow the plans as they are given to us.

! I want to support the youth so they don’t feel stressed or overworked.

! Youth are given power to decide, so their voice is heard.

! I’m here to help you, to support your growth.

! It’s nice for me to help others.

Actions

! One person constructs the vision, outcomes and strategy.

! Colleagues are to implement the plan, without the opportunity to give input/enhancements.

! Adults set the vision, possibly with the youth present.

! Youth may feel discouraged to share their ideas, and feel like they are not valued.

! The intention may be first to support others, but soon one may notice his or her growth, too!

! It can focus on ‘one helping others’ verses ‘helping one another.’

2 | Special Olympics

We see these models on a continuum, where one can progress in embodying the skills, dispositions

and values of Inclusive Youth Leadership. However, Inclusive Youth Leadership entails a change in mindset and

actions, but augments the growth within all.

Adult Allies Supporting Inclusive Youth Leadership

It is imperative for adult allies to continually reassess

how they can best support youth leaders of all

abilities. As youth begin to serve in meaningful

leadership positions, they begin to acquire

experiences that can guide their growth. Adult allies

may find that youth may not need as much support

as they did before. This can be challenging to

recognize, so co-creating a trustful and supportive

environment, where all feel comfortable to share, is

key for communicating ones’ feelings.

Resources

Change in Mindset

• We all can contribute.

• Co-identifying how we can best share & learn with one another.

Change in Actions • Talent Maximization.

• Shared Leadership in matching strengths with responsibilities.

• Reflection as a practice.

Growth within All • Personal (individual) and

collective (team) growth in skills and cohesion.

• Cultivates Social Inclusion.

www.socialinclusion.org http://bit.ly/IYLGuide http://bit.ly/SISchools twitter.com/SOProjectUNIFY