Summer Memories and Fun Ice Breaker

School is back and summer is a memory. I was lucky enough to spend my summer working at Super Camp in Hong Kong. The city is absolutely amazing and has so much to offer. We visited the Big Buddha, went to local beaches, shopped at lady's market and then finally-- one of the best parts, I worked two residential camps (about 20 days) with local Hong Kong kids. This year I was responsible for teaching accelerated learning strategies and the cool thing about teens is learning happens the same way for everyone. The HK teens were very similar to the USA teens; their favorite things include sports, music, computer games, Facebook/Myspace, etc. Yes, there are a few differences in the cultures and foods, but for the most part people are people.

Since I have been home I have had the amazing opportunity to lead a few student council retreats with Vista Murrieta and their sister school, Calavera Hills and the other local middle school, Yorba Linda Middle School and Valley High School. The more I am around student council students the more I am excited for what is happening in our schools. These students are truly doing everything in their power to make school a place where other students feel included and place where people want to be vs. “have to be.” Great job and I look forward to hearing about your successes this year!!!

What is coming up???? Ohhh my new book and game are almost done. I know I have shared with a few of you about my recent projects and the closer we get to December, the closer I am to releasing my first book and leadership game. Stay tuned, more to come on that….

Until then, here is an “easy to run” ice breaker you can lead with your students. Or if you are a student leader, this is a great one to run before a meeting and to build rapport.

It’s called, What Are You Doing?

It is very simple. You need 2 people to play (everyone can play at once, just partner up).

One partner starts miming an action. For example, partner 1 can pretend to ride a bike.

Partner 2 ask, “What are you doing?"

Partner 1 must say ANOTHER action that is NOT what they are doing or related to what they are doing and partner 2 gets to mime that action.

EXAMPLE:

1st person begins to ride a bike. .

2nd person "What are you doing?"

1st person "I am cutting my hair.”

Now, the 2nd person must BEGIN to do that action suggested.

The 1st person now says "What are you doing?" and so on.

If a person says what they are miming or doing (rather then something different) then the game starts again. The person remaining starts a brand new action.

The group that I played with always tried to out do each other with outrageous actions like:

"Teaching my dad how to ride tigers" or "cleaning my hamsters teeth."

Enjoy and I look forward to funny stories!

Hello blog readers! How are you doing today? It is such a beautiful day today, it makes me smile. So what is new with you? Please send me updates via email at Jill@Leadingforlife.com or you can leave messages on here (I love hearing from students AND teachers)!

As for me, yesterday I was in Palmdale with a group of 160 middle school students in ASB, AVID and GATE. We had a full-day leadership conference and focused on the difference we can make at school and in our personal lives with a powerful CHOICE-a choice to: Be the difference--that makes the difference!

This Friday I am with at Valley High School in CA and excited to work with these student leaders again.

If you are looking for some leadership activities to run with your students…check this one out…. I’ve heard many teachers talk about it, so I had to try it with my 7th grade leadership class- HUGE HIT!

(Just cut and paste this into a document and you have lesson for class).

The Music In You

Pretend you are writing on the back of the CD –list the song title, artist (if you know it) and why that song resembles you.

List a song that…

Song 1-Describes the “real you”
Song 2- About your dreams/goals
Song 3- Makes you happy
Song 4- Reminds you of a role model
Song 5- Describes good leaders
Song 6- Makes you think of being a kid
Song 7- Describes the way the world sees you
Song 8- Makes you think of your friends
Song 9- Makes you forget your worries and lets you relax
Song 10- Describes how you want to the world to be

For example

Song Ex- Waiting on the World to Change, John Mayer
This song makes me think of how I want the world to be.

***There is not a right or wrong answer, be creative, think about the music you love and WHY you love it! When you are done, you can even burn a REAL CD to share with your class and friends.

Small Acts of Kindness for Mom's and Everyone

It is almost summer---yippee! For me that means lots of prep work for the camp I work called, Supercamp www.supercamp.com. This year I am off to Hong Kong for 1 month with a team of 2 other amazing facilitators. One camp with be middle and high school students and the other is elementary aged students. I am beyond excited and busy preparing for the adventure.

In addition to that, the book is getting a lot of my attention right now. Busy writing, editing, designing, interviewing teen leaders and “dream leaders.” I am so excited about the book and can’t wait to share it with everyone.

On a personal note, I am excited for Mother’s Day this weekend! If you are a mom…Happy Mother’s Day…you deserve it, mom’s are the best people in the world. If you are a teen, remember to do something special for your mom or someone in your life who is like a mom. You can make a simple card (I know my mom loves the handmade kind), spend the day with her, do something nice without her asking…just remember to share your love and thank her for all she does. Thank you mom, I love you.

As for the lesson…going along the lines of sharing love, a wonderful community service or “give back” project you can do with your class is to make cards for children in hospitals. Last January I lead a one week leadership camp and one of the standout memories for the students at the camp was making cards and knowing they could brighten a sick child’s day. I contacted a local children’s hospital, (you can find any in your area) and asked if we can make cards for the kids. They said they have a program like that and before each meal the kids get a card on their meal tray. The staff told me, which I shared with my students, that the cards REALLY do put a smile on the kids faces. For the lesson, we talked about making a difference by the small acts of kindness. It is a wonderful, easy and memorable activity that teachers a powerful lesson.

If you do this, please let me know how it works for you and your kids.

I look forward to hearing from you either on the blog site or at jill@leadingforlife.com.

:)

Teaching Parliamentary Procedure and LFL News

Wow, almost a whole month has gone by since my last entry and so many exciting things going on….

On March 31st I partnered with OCDE and Chapman University to put on the “First Annual OC Leadership AVID Conference.” It was absolutely wonderful and about 500 OC AVID freshmen (9 schools) attended the day of leadership.

The beginning of April I went to Houston, Texas (my first time there) for a Quantum Learning Network program and worked with an amazing group of facilitators and TL’s to make a difference in about 500 5th graders lives.

The book is coming along and I have been busy interviewing “Dream Leaders” and “Teen Leaders” to make this project come alive.

This weekend I get to spend Saturday afternoon with a group of 60 middle school students for their annual ASB Retreat and looking forward to that.

As for a leadership lesson (as promised), something that worked really well this month with my 7th grade leadership class was teaching parliamentary procedure via a super hero skit.

I received this skit at a conference and it is from the Washington Association of Student Councils Building Leaders for Life (http://www.awsp.org).

I wanted to share it with any Act. Directors looking to teach parliamentary procedure in a fun and memorable way…ENJOY!

Simply cut and paste this information into a word doc. and print for your class:

Parliamentary Procedure Skit
“The Super Heroes Get Organized”
from the Washington Association of Student Councils Building Leaders for Life

Characters: 15 parts (13 speaking + 2 voting only)

Superman
Wonder Woman
The Green Lantern
The Phantom
Green Arrow
Batman
Joker
Aquaman
Supergirl
Batgirl
Robin
Spiderman
Lex Luther
Kid Flash
Penguin


Green Lantern: I’d like to call this meeting of the League of Super Heroes to order. (gavel) I’ve asked all of you to gather here today because Earth is facing the threat of destruction by the Ronan Armada from constellation Cassiopea. We must cast aside our differences and unite to save the Earth from total destruction!!!! First, I would suggest that we select a president to chair our organization. Nominations for president will now be accepted by the chair.

Robin: I think Batman should be president!!

Green Lantern: I’m sorry, Robin, but your comment is out of order…if you’d like to nominate Batman, you must do so by saying, “I nominate and his name.”

Robin: OK, OK, I nominate Batman.

Wonder Woman: I second Batman’s nomination!!! (GUSH)

Green Lantern: I’m sorry, Wonder Woman, but regardless of your personal feelings, a second is not necessary when nominating for an office.

Kid Flash: Uh…Oh Green Lantern…golly gee whiz, I’d like to nominate Terry Dactill!

Green Lantern: Sorry Kid Flash, but Terry is not a member of the League of Super Heroes, and is therefore not eligible to hold office.

Supergirl: I nominate Superman.

Superman: I nominate Supergirl.

Lex: I nominate the only man shrewd enough to outwit the aliens and tough enough to send them scurrying back into their holes…I nominate the Joker!!!

(Lex, the Joker and the Penguin all stand and cheer!!!)

G.L.: ORDER!!! ORDER!! (Raps gavel)

Spiderman: I make a motion that the nominations cease.

G.L.: I’m sorry Spidey…but the correct phraseology is “I move that.” Not “I make a motion that…”

Spiderman: Sorry G.L., I move that nominations cease.

G.L.: A motion to cease nominations requires a second…is there a second?

Aquaman: I second the motion.

G.L.: It has been moved and seconded that nominations cease.

Phantom: (interrupts): G.L., I don’t think we should cease the nominations…no one has nominated me yet!!

G.L.: ORDER!! ORDER!! Phantom, the motion to cease nominations is not debatable. All in favor of nominations ceasing, say “AYE.”

(Everyone except Aquaman, Phantom and Wonder Woman say, “AYE.”)

G.L.: Opposed the same.

(Aquaman, Phantom and Wonder Woman say, “AYE.”)

G.L.: A two thirds majority is required…so the motion carries.

Phantom: I call for a division of the house!

G.L.: A division of the house has been called for. All in…

Kid Flash: (interrupts) OOOH, Green Lantern, I mean, Mr. Chairman…I rise to a parliamentary inquiry of information…What’s a division of the house???

G.L.: A division of the house, Kid Flash, is where an actual hand count of votes must be made.

Kid Flash: OOOOH, that’s SOOOOO COOL, Green Lantern.

G.L.: OK…all in favor raise their hands. All opposed? A two thirds majority has been established and the motion carries. Now let’s vote for the office of president.

All in favor of Batman, raise your hand (Robin, Wonder Woman, Batman and Spiderman all raise hands).
All for Superman. (Green Arrow, Supergirl, and Aquaman raise hands)
All for Supergirl. (Superman raises hand)
All for the Joker. (Joker, Penguin, and Lex raise their hands)
It appears that we selected Batman as our new President. Batman, would you please assume the chair? (Batman assumes the chair)

Batman: The chair will not consider a motion to assign the problem of the Ronan Armada to committee.

Lex: I so move.

Batman: Is there a second?

Robin: Second the motion.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that we refer the problem of the Ronan Armada to committee.

Aquaman: (interrupts) Mr. Chairman…I object to consideration of this motion!!!

Batman: An objection to consideration has been raised. A second is not required and this is not debatable. All in favor of this motion, vote “AYE” (only Superman, Spidey vote “AYE”). Those opposed to consideration vote “NAY” (everyone else votes “NAY”). The motion to consider fails by a two thirds majority…therefore, the motion will not be considered.

Joker: I move that we attempt to joint the aliens rather than fight them.

Lex: I second the motion.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that we join the aliens rather than fight them…do we have any discussion?

Supergirl: (raises hand for recognition) I think that the Joker’s motion is repugnant, goes against everything we human beings stand for, and is ill considered.

Joker: (raises hand for recognition) For one thing, I resent Supergirl’s statement concerning the ill considered nature of my motion, and would simply point out that we humans do not stand a chance against the Armada…so why not join the winning team!?!

Batman: I’m sorry, Joker. While you’re entitled to your opinion, you’re not allowed by Robert Rules to make personal references to this body!!

Wonder Woman: Mr. Chairman…I rise to a point of personal privilege.

Batman: Yes, Wonder Woman…what is it?

Wonder Woman: Could the motion please be restated?

Batman: Yes. The motion states that “we attempt to join the aliens rather than fight them.”

Phantom: I move the previous question.

Batman: The previous question has been called and a second is required.

Wonder Woman: Mr. President, I don’t think we should vote yet!!

Batman: I’m sorry, Wonder Woman, but a motion to move the previous question is not debatable. All in favor say “AYE”… (everyone except Wonder Woman) Opposed… “NAY” by Wonder Woman.

Batman: The question has been successfully called…in the interest of clarity, the chair will request a roll call vote on the main motion as stated: “That we join the aliens rather than fight them.”


Superman Nay
Wonder Woman: Nay
Green Lantern: Nay
Phantom: Nay
Penguin: Aye
Batman: Nay
Joker: Aye
Aquaman: Nay
Supergirl: Nay
Batgirl: Nay
Robin: Nay
Spidey: Aye
Lex: Aye
Green Arrow: Nay

Kid Flash: I think we should all be friends, so I’m not voting Aye!!!

Batman: The motion fails 5-10. Do we have any other suggestions?

Spiderman: Mr. Chairman, I move that we surround the Earth with a giant spider web!!

Supergirl: Good idea, Spidey!! We could plant A-bombs on each cross thread, and…

Batman: I’m sorry, Supergirl, but no discussion is allowed on a motion until it is seconded. Is there a second?

Robin: I’ll second Spidey’s motion.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that we surround the Earth with a spider web. Is there any discussion?

Kid Flash: Gee Batman…I don’t think we should…I mean what if the aliens have spent a lot of money on expensive designer bikes…I mean you might not even be able to ride around the neighborhood!!!

Phantom: I think it sounds like a pretty good idea. There’s not way they would get through!!

Lex: I’d like to move to amend Spiderman’s motion so that the words “will capture, but not injure the aliens” are added to it.

Batman: Is there a second?

Joker: I’ll second the amendment.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that Spiderman’s motion be amended by adding the words “will capture, but not injure the aliens” – is there any discussion?? Seeing none…then let’s proceed to vote.

Aquaman: I move for unanimous consent.

Batman: Unanimous consent has been called…are there any objections? Hearing none, the amendment passes. Now we will consider the main motion as amended which now reads: We will surround the Earth with a giant spider web which will capture, but not injure the aliens. Do we have any discussion??

Wonder Woman: I’d like to move to postpone action on the motion indefinitely.

Batman: We have a motion to postpone the main motion indefinitely, is there a second? Hearing none…the motion to postpone dies. Is there further discussion on the motion as amended?

(Green Lantern and Aquaman are rudely talking about their last night’s dinner)

Robin (interrupts): Mr. Chairman, I rise to a question of personal privilege.

Batman: State your question of privilege, Robin.

Robin: With Green Lantern and Aquaman talking, I am unable to hear what is being said. I would ask that all those wishing to engage in conversation please feel free to do so by stepping out of the meeting room. THANK YOU!!

Batman: Is there further discussion on the ideas before us?

Lex: I move for unanimous consent.

Batman: Unanimous consent has been called…is there any objection?

Kid Flash: I object Batty Watty…I like it when I really get to vote better!!

Batman: There is an objection to unanimous consent…is there further discussion?? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote on the main motion as amended. All in favor: (everyone says “AYE”) Opposed…(silence). The motion carries!! (Hit gavel on table) It seems as if we should next address the specifics of setting up the web.

Phantom: I move we refer the matter to a committee and they report back with a recommendation tomorrow.

Aquaman: I second that motion.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that we refer the specifics of application of the web to committee. Do we have any discussion?? Hearing none…I call for a vote.

Lex: (jumps up) Hold on Batman!! I rise to a point of order…I don’t think it is appropriate for you to ramrod this through like this…we need to have some chance to debate if we wish…

Batman: The chair rules that you are out of order, Lex…sit down, let’s proceed to vote.

Joker: Batman, I appeal from the decision of the chair. I think we deserve the right to discuss if we wish.

Lex: I second the appeal!

Batman: It has been moved and seconded to appeal from the decision of the chair. Is there any discussion? All in favor? (everyone says “AYE”) Opposed? (nothing). The floor is open for discussion…do we have any discussion on the motion to refer the matter to committee, Lex? Joker? (Lex and Joker shake their heads ‘no’). Alright, all in favor of the motion, say “AYE” (Everyone says “AYE”). Are there any other items to consider?

Superman: I’d like to talk about what we are gonna have for dinner and where we’re gonna go.

Batman: I’m sorry, Superman, but before we can do so, someone must place a motion on the floor or move to suspend the rules so we can have an open discussion.

Superman: I move that we suspend the rules for a discussion only of dinner.

Green Lantern: I second the motion.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that we suspend the rules for a discussion of dinner.

Kid Flash: Oh Batty…I have a parliamentary inquiry…it sure sounds fun, but what does suspend the rules mean?

Batman: Kid Flash, that means that we will not follow parliamentary procedure, but we can discuss dinner without having to have a motion first. All in favor? (everyone says “AYE”) The rules have been suspended, so let’s talk about dinner.

Aquaman: I’d like to suggest Skippers, seafood is my favorite!!

Batgirl: I was thinking more along the lines of pate’ orthopateran.

Lex: Oh, let’s just get a burger.

Joker: Great idea, Lex! I heard McDonald’s is giving a discount on kid meals and we can all lie about our age and save a bundle.

Batman: ORDER!!! ORDER!!! It sounds as if we are not really going to resolve anything with the rules suspended. I’d like to entertain a motion to reimpose the rules.

Phantom: So moved!

Batman: Phantom has moved that we reimpose the rules. Do we have a second??

Lex: Second.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that the rules be reimposed, all in favor?? (everyone says “AYE”)

Kid Flash: I move that we all fly to Seattle for dinner…it’s the “in-place” this year.

Batman: It has been moved and seconded that we eat dinner in Seattle. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say “AYE.” (everyone says “AYE”) The motion carries.

Kid Flash: Batty…I move that we recess until tomorrow..I mean I’m sure the aliens will understand and wait to attack us until we’ve had a decent meal!!

Wonder Woman: I’ll second that.

Batman: The motion to recess until tomorrow is not debatable…all in favor?? (Everyone says “AYE”) This meeting is recessed until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, at which time I would like to report from the web committee. MEETING ADJOURNED!!!!!!!

High School Musical-More than a Movie

OK, so I have a confession! I am a fan of the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical.” Yes, yes, it is true- I am a Disney Channel fan! I first heard the music about 6 months ago while at a local middle school and then I saw the movie and loved it.

Since then, I have used the movie as a spring board for leadership lessons. I teach a few times a week at a local private school and I have a 7th grade leadership class. For about one week we watched this movie and talked about the reality of their school and how it is similar and different to the movie.

After a few days of discussion, it was clear. Every student in the class wanted the same thing: For everyone to get along at school and for everyone to be whom they really are and not be fake.

Sounds idealistic? Maybe too good to be true? Think it can ever happen? See what your class thinks….

If you are a middle or high school teacher, check out the debrief questions below and see what kind of ideas your students can come up with. If you are a student or class officer and looking to run a “leadership lesson” with your peers, check these out and see what your friends and classmates think of the movie and reality.

I hope you enjoy this lesson as much as we did!

1)Which character/characters are the most positive and impacting leaders in the school?
a. How did they use their leadership in a positive way?
b. How did they impact others?

2)What is the difference between Troy and Sharpay’s leadership style?
a. Who would you want to be on a team with and why?
b. What does Troy do well to be an effective leader in his school?
c. Want can you do to be a positive leaders at school?

3)What impact did gossip have on Gabriela and Troy?
a. How would you feel if your friends talked behind your back?
b. What can you do to in order to have open communication? What can you do to not gossip?

4)What did the students finally do to come together as a whole and become friends?
a. Do you think we have more alike or more different with people at our school?
b. What can we do as leaders to show people we are more alike than different?

Where does time go?

Do you ever look at the calendar and think where does time go? I did that today! I realized it has been almost one month since my last blog and I asked myself that exact question…where does time go?

For me, the past month has flown by and I can say I have invested my time. I see time as the one thing EVERYONE has in common. We all have 24 hours in a day, the question is---how do we spend our 24 hours?

For me, I have spent the past month at leadership conferences (wahooo CADA), speaking to AVID educators, re-doing my website and getting ready to write my book. That is right, my first book and I am so excited. More to come as I dive into that project….

As for a leadership resource (as promised on this blog), let me share a wonderful on-line leadership store with you. As I have been speaking more and more to educators and sharing ways to teach interactive leadership, I realized everyone needs to know about CADA and the wonderful shopping store on their site.

This link is to CADA (a non-profit organization that supports Activities Directors and leadership teachers in CA and even nation wide). The site is:
https://www.compu-sult.com/cada/purchase/shopping.asp?first=1&action
feel free to look at all the great resources and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me and/or call CADA.

Until next time…. keep “Inspiring teens to achieve beyond the ordinary.”

:)
Jill

Top 10 Trust Building Tip for Teams

Top 10 Trust Building Techniques

Here is a recent article I wrote for the Sept. 2006 magazine, “Leadership for Student Activities.” It was published in there and I wanted to share it with you, my new blogger friends.

1) Always Communicate- How often do you think that people can read your mind? Always, sometimes or never? News flash! People are not mind readers and even though we tend to think that people know what we are thinking and feeling, they do not. Therefore, it is your job as a student leader to communicate your thoughts, feelings, wishes and desires. The more you can communicate with your team, the more you can trust and understand each other.

2) Be Authentic- That is right, be you. The best way to trust each other is to know each other. In order to develop trust, you need to share your true self with your teammates. Although we might be very different, it essential to be yourself when trying to build a team based on trust and authenticity. If you try to be someone else or who people want you to be, it will be difficult to trust yourself and each other.

3) Delegate when needed- How long is your daily to-do list? Does it take you a few days rather then one to actually get through it all? Stop being a project hog and trust your teammates to help you out. Start delegating little tasks to your teammates and allow for the trust to develop. The more you can delegate and work as a team, the stronger and faster you can build the trust. Just remember, there are many ways to accomplish a task and if you delegate out, the person might meet the goal in a different way, which is not bad, it is just different.

4) Commit and always follow-through- If you are to receive and accept a task, it is your full responsibility to finish this project by the date and time that you agreed upon. By keeping your word and showing the other person that you are reliable, it allows for trust to develop and for future positive interactions to continue.

5) Apologize and make it right- In all teams, even the best, sometimes a conflict or a difference of opinions can occur and leave people upset. Rather than avoiding the conflict or thinking it will “just go away with time,” address the person or team members who are hurt and make it right as soon as possible. First, admit to any wrongdoing and then apologize for what was said or done. Then ask the other person what you can personally do to make it right. Again, remember that you are not a mind reader and should not guess what he/she wants, simply ask what you can do to make it right and then commit to making that change in the future.

6) Support each other personally and scholastically- Trusting each other in the leadership class starts with supporting each other in all areas of life. Imagine what it would be like if your senior class cabinet showed up at your sports event to support you and cheer you on. Do you think you would trust them more when it comes to planning homecoming and daily meetings? Of course you would! When you know that people are personally invested in you and care about your success and well being, you can trust them whole heartily and build the strongest team possible.

7) Treat each other like you want to be treated- I know you heard this on the kindergarten playground, it is the one rule that will always apply. If you treat your teammates with the kindness and respect that you would want and deserve, then the only outcome is trust on multiple levels.

8) Evaluate activities- After each activity take about 20 minute as a class to evaluate the actual event, the planning stages and the actual committee members who were on the planning team. The goal of the evaluation is to grow as a team and for everyone to learn what works and what can be improved upon in the future. By telling the truth and being vulnerable, as a giver or receiver of feedback, trust and improved activities are highly likely to immerge in this process.

9) Plan leadership retreats or bonding days- Have fun! Yes, laugh, smile and participate in leadership activities that teach. Whether you plan a team scavenger hunt, a high ropes course day or leadership retreat with teambuilding activities, it is important to grow as leaders and try new events that challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and into the trust building zone.

10) Celebrate each others greatness- Take time during the year to celebrate the greatness of each person and the team as a whole. Continue to focus on where you want to go throughout the year and remember to look at where you are and how you have gotten there. Trust is an ongoing process and it can grow, maintain or diminish based upon our daily actions, thoughts and behaviors. Celebrate each others greatness and continue building each other up, while growing as a team and trusting each other.

Until next time... Smiles:)

Jill