National AfterSchool Alliance 24th Annual Convention

Overall, I am so glad I was able to attend this convention (yes, even despite the tornado warning and subsequent evac to the bowels of the hotel). It was an incredible learning experience. There were So. Many. Workshops that I wish I had been able to clone myself. I enjoyed checking out the vendors and had made a point to visit every single one online first. I was most excited to visit the Lintor Make-A-Book, Inc folks. I have a book binding workshop in mind for TWZ and this company can provide me with the materials I'll need to do that.

As my schooling nears completion, and during, friends have asked whether I plan to go on to get my Master's. I always emphatically say no because just doing this was too hard. Really. Hard. I can count on all my fingers and toes how many times I asked myself "What the hell are you doing?" I needed many pep talks from my family and friends (not to mention my core faculty), I needed a lot of hugs from my husband, and just constant reminders of why I was getting a Nonprofit Mgmt degree in the first place. And I would get those reminders in the form of articles, random conversation, or random research for homework. I got another reminder when I visited Charter Oak State College's booth and learned that I could get another bachelor's degree, in Child and Youth Development, or earn a certificate in After School Education. So, not a Master's, but an opportunity to further my education. I really don't know if I want to do it again. I'm 40-yrs-old! I don't want to be in school forever! At some point, I'm going to have just "get out of my pajamas and get to work" making my dream come true. At this point, if I didn't have to work and could go to school full-time, then I might reconsider and keep going ( for my Master's, another Bachelor's, whatever). Unless that happens (by winning the lottery. I really need to play more often), I'm SO done. I visited many other vendors as well and got a backpack's worth of information to take home. The spring semester is almost over, so I'll be able to go through it more thoroughly.

The one item that I would consider a prized possession is the Core Knowledge and Competencies for Afterschool and Youth Development Professionals that everyone got in their goody bag. The NAA, in collaboration with the National Institute on Out-of-School-Time (NIOST) created a booklet that is the "core knowledge and competencies that describe the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed by professionals to provide high-quality afterschool and youth development programming and support the learning and development of children and youth. This is intended to set a foundation for professional development and career advancement, informing the course of study for educators, as well as provide guidance in the development of career ladders, credentials and qualifications, and other methods of assessing practitioner skill and knowledge." Wonderful, fabulous resource that I will keep around for a very long time (unless they update it, then I'll get another copy).

The next annual convention is next year, mid-April in Indianapolis. Another city I've never visited. I hope I'll be able to attend.

National Afterschool Association 24th Annual National Convention: Day 3

Day 3

Morning Workshop: Marketing to Teens presented by Rachel Rudd and Naomi Brower, Utah State University Extension

Workshop Blurb: This workshop will address recruitment and retention in afterschool programs, specifically with teens. We will discuss how to develop a marketing plan for your program, special event, or specific club. Participants will learn about some simple ways they can reach out to the community and youth that they serve.

Lessons Learned:

• Teens are multitaskers
• Teens prefer "byte"-sized entertainment
• Teens expect content on demand
• Teens want to participate at their own pace, control
• Enlist teens to manage your social media
• Don't try too hard to be cool
• Know your audience

Step One - Commit to a Business Paradigm

• Convenience
• Competition
• Product Tie-Ins
• Autonomy - personal growth, development
• "Why should your customers do business with you instead of someone else?"

Commit to a business paradigm. Educators want to provide activities that support academic achievement. Educators require student participation to meet their goal. Students want to have with their friends afterschool. Afterschool will not be successful unless it meets the student needs 

Step Two - Research Consumer Needs

• Music
• Fashion
• Television
• Hobbies
• Trends
• Listen, listen, listen
• No hidden agendas
• No preconceived notions
• Don't sell your ideas, sell their ideas.

Step Three - Develop Marketing Strategy

Determine the available media to communicate your message.

• Public address
• School newsletter
• Daily bulletin
• Closed circuit T.V.
• Assemblies
• Facebook (Program and/or volunteer page)
• Twitter (Program and/or volunteer page)

 Recruit your spokespersons

• Consumers are "peer-focused"
• Know which consumers are held in high regard
• Utilize their "coolness" as an asset to sell your product.

 
Step Four - Develop a Business Plan

Analyze assets

• Existing afterschool programs
• Popular teachers
• Facility space

Students are on campus after school doing something. Find out what they are:

• Sports
• Band
• Academic clubs
• Student gov't

Teachers are on campus after school. Find out who they are, what they're doing, how much they're getting paid (if applicable):

• Tutoring
• Special projects
• Alternative learning

 Make the best of your greatest assets: your and your staff

What skills and talents do you bring to the program?

If gaps exist, subcontract with community-based service providers:

• Dance classes
• Martial arts
• Musicians
• Artists

Step Five - Launch Product

Test and revise everything

• Development and research is ongoing
• Change/eliminate anything that's not working
• Test new products

Reward best customers

• Don't take loyalty for granted
• Publicly acknowledge best attendance
• Rewarding customers creates atmosphere of caring

Relaunch products periodically

• Ongoing marketing efforts
• Re-introduce products with new campaign
• Turn old favorites into "new and improved" products

Stick with what works

• Let your customers tell you when they need a change
• Offer multiple classes of most popular activities
• "Ride the camel til it dies."

What gets them to come?

• Accessibility (self-transportation)
• Strong connection to club
• The variety of activities
• Space (attractive and teen only)
• Flexibility
• Positive adult relationships
• Other positive relationships (friends)

My Thoughts:

The presenters were really good, kept everyone awake by making it interactive and asking the audience what things have worked in their programs. For a newbie like me, something like that is always very helpful. The information they provided was very detailed and helpful, as seen by some of the highlighted text. I will have to go to their website and check it out for further resources.

YourGrantAuthority.com: Benefits vs Features

I subscribe to Betsy Baker's e-newsletter and she had an interesting blog article today about winning grants for your NP. She says to make sure your applications focus on the benefits of your organization, not the features.A feature is "defined by what it is that you actually do" (i.e. provide free creative writing workshops after school as well as publishing opportunities for youth, ages 11-18. "But the reason your organization exists is because of its benefit to the community" (i.e. providing youth with a safe place to go after school while helping them to build better writing skills).

Something to keep in mind when I'm filling out those applications....

National Afterschool Association 24th Annual National Convention: Day 2, Part 1

Day 2, Part 1

Morning Workshop: Good to Great...Motivating Your Team to Achieve! presented by Annemarie Grassi, Open Doors Academy

Workshop Blurb: Staff burnout is high amongst youth-serving organizations, and too often job satisfaction is low. This workshop is designed to provide participants with tools for strengthening the team dynamic, building accountability and clarity of roles and responsibilities, motivating employees to reach beyond mediocrity, and increasing overall job satisfaction.

Lessons Learned:

Create an Engaged Culture -

• Communicate a clear vision
• Set clear and consistent boundaries
• Create and communicate high expectations
• Cultivate caring and meaningful relationships
• Provide constructive and reflective feedback

Establish Clear Expectations -

• DON'T....micromanage, shut out new ideas or allow for excuses.
• DO...establish clear expectations and boundaries, create a clear model for presenting new ideas, and provide clear measures for training, development, and evaluation (staff test, rubric)

Model a Culture of Caring-

• Macro Level: staff celebrations, recognitions, social gatherings .
• Meso Level: direct service support, staff meeting lunches, thank you cards
• Micro Level: annual meeting and visioning with individual staff, accessibility when needed (evening cell phone calls), offer opportunities to mentor your staff.
• Everyone wants to feel valued: How do you support your staff?

Keys to Building Success -

• Establish a personnel training system: orientation, review of materials and hands-on training, Staff Entry Exam .
• Create a culture that continues to engage professional development.
• Utilize your current resources and staff to coach and train others on the team (peer coaching).

Moving from Good to Great - 

• Share your vision frequently
• Set clear and consistent boundaries and high expectations
• Create a culture of support
• Provide constructive and reflective feedback

My Thoughts: 

Out of all the workshops I attended at this conference, this was the most in-depth. In the second half of her presentation, Ms. Grassi shared her organization's professional development structure: Orientation and training period, staff meetings, staff trainings, etc. She provided a copy of the Evaluative Rubric Report her organization uses to evaluate staff, as well as a copy of the procedures they use for submitting an Idea for Change. I found these examples to be very useful for my own organization, particularly the Ideas for Change. It was broken down by small program change, change in the structure of the program, and large structural change that affects the organization as a whole. She also included a copy of their annual report that was created--quite cleverly, I might add--by the students.

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Afternoon Workshop: Survival Strategies 101 (For What They Didn't Tell You) presented by Dr. Paul Young, National Afterschool Association.

Workshop Blurb: This session is designed to help new afterschool program directors survive and thrive. Participants will be equipped coping strategies for job-embedded challenges that are never discussed in preparatory programs. Sample topics include relationship building, resiliency, ethics, visioning, and more.

Lessons Learned:

To enhance the development of relationships, new leaders can improve interpersonal skills that help them connect, such as:

• Psychological cues - make yourself vulnerable and reveal who you are.
• Proximity
• Resonate - be "in the zone" and attentive.
• Identity similarities - birth dates, state of origin, anything shared with others.
• Environmental issues - overcoming adversity together encourages clicking.
• Self monitor - match others' emotions with attitude and charisma; work a room.

Preparatory programs don't teach you about people, relationships, leadership, delegation, juggling, "other" on your job descriptions (the small print), and stress.

Survival Strategies 101

1. Never lose focus on WHY your program exists (mission).
2. Practice visioning - short term, six months, one year, multiple years, write out vision and share it with others for clarity.
3. Minimize multitasking activities to reduce work situations that lead to mistakes.
4. Develop practices and procedures that enhance interview, selection, orientation, and ongoing training to help all staff survive and thrive. Invest time in hiring the best people.
5. Prepare for dealing with the media--both when things are good and where is a crisis.
6. Develop collaborative relationships with school personnel.
7. Help staff improve their work ethic. Teach work ethic virtues and what you expect to see.
8. Teach with clarity the expectations you have for staff managing students.
9. Learn to identify needs and how to deal with difficult people.
10. Develop and utilize tools for conducting effective meetings.

My Thoughts:

This workshop was interrupted towards the end by a tornado warning and the subsequent move to the tunnels of the hotel, but he went through it pretty quickly after the first we-may-have-to-evacuate warning. The session was interactive, Dr. Young wanted to hear stories from the "frontlines" so to speak, which was interesting for me. The only problem was that I had attended one of his sessions the day before and some of the same information that was covered in that session was mentioned again during this one. It was new for the people who hadn't been in that session, and it applied here as well, I just didn't want to hear it again.

Stay tuned for Day 2, Part 2

National Afterschool Association 24th Annual National Convention: Day 2, Part 2

Day 2, Part 2

Mid-Afternoon workshop: Creative Inspiration for Young People presented by Sonia Toledo, Dignity of Children, Inc.

Workshop Blurb: As educators, we must first understand how to tap into our creative mind to inspire our young people to use their creative mind. This workshop will focus on understanding the process to spark creativity in ourselves and then design an environment where children can find their creative niche: writing, dancing, singing, drawing, photography, acting and many others. Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of how to develop a curriculum to meet the developmental needs of their children by using a creative process.

My Thoughts:

Unfortunately, this workshop was cut short due to the tornado evacuation. It should've started at 2:30, but by the time we were given the all-clear to return, it was 3pm and the presenter only had 45mins to present. We watched a short movie on the web called "Brain Storm" that took up the majority of the time, talked about what was discussed, and then our table had to create a tall tower using 20 pieces of spaghetti, a marshmallow, string, and a really long piece of tape that Ms. Toledo gave us.We called it the Marshmallow Challenge.

We didn't win the prize (a bag of marshmallows), but we were runner-ups. I didn't "walk away with a clear understanding of how to develop a curriculum to meet the developmental needs of their children by using a creative process" as the workshop had promised. I wish that Ms. Toledo had bypassed the movie and went straight to the "Setting up the Environment to Spark Creativity" segment mentioned in her materials.She provided takeaways, but the material is fill-in-the-blank and we never got around to filling in those blanks. As the soon-to-be founder of an organization focused on creativity for young people, I was very much looking forward to this workshop and getting a different perspective. If anything, I can use the enclosed article to assist in my grad paper. I recently contacted her organization to see if I could get the workshop PowerPoint.
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Evening Workshop: Redefining Leadership in AfterSchool presented by Emily Gunter, Urgent Inc.

Workshop Blurb: This is a fast paced interactive presentation where the participants are fully engaged with their own investigation of their talents and strengths. Afterschool is the proving ground for your innovative approaches in the learning and caring environment. Find out how to become a leader in education through your successful best practices. Success is contagious!!

Lessons Learned:

~ You can achieve anything you want as long as you are willing to take the path to get to it, in an inspired way.

~ Choose to be a servant leader by being courteous, kind and respectful to all people in Truth, Simplicity and Love.

9 Empowering Thoughts of a LEADER;

1. Choose now to be a leader.
2. Have a passion to lead.
3. Be an inspirational thinker to lead
4. Believe in yourself, believe you can lead
5. Anticipate problems and have a strategy.
6. Have high values.
7. Have bonding power (love and smile)
8. Have a vibrant energy
9. Be a professional communicator

"Indecision and lack of major purpose is the biggest thief of time." 

Breathe, Relax, then Lead

• Become alert and respond with inspired action
• Consciously breathe to link to your knowledge
• Consciously breathe to conquer fear, doubt and anger.
• Consciously breathe to embrace love, peace and freedom as you lead.

How to Speak as a Leader Without Fear

• Breathe deeply
• Have simple notes with just key points in bold
• Start with the end in mind
• Have fun

10 Points of Leadership 

1. Vision - your gifts that come through you
2. Believe - have faith in yourself
3. Integrity - be truthful to yourself always
4. Courage - go within, hear your wisdom
5. Attitude - be inspired by your loving self
6. Excellence - act with humility and honor
7. Success - be prosperous by building winning relationships
8. Perseverance - honor the strength of your ancestors
9. Commitment - have authority over your mind and stay steady in your high values
10. Teamwork - unity brings strength

My Thoughts:

I found this to be a very spiritual--and science-filled--leadership session. The interactive portion of the session at the beginning was an interesting routine they do for their target audience, one of which is to say Batio Bati (Swahili for "I need you to be present", "I am present") three times.I felt very calm and peaceful after attending this workshop, especially after the tornado warning had left me a little riled.

LinkedIn Today: 4-2-12

The One Skill All Leaders Should Work On

Assertiveness - which is something I definitely need to work on. But here's what else the author had to say.

Here are some specific ways in which assertiveness complements a wide range of the critical leadership skills you may already have:

• Creating a culture of innovation:

• Being customer focused: 

• Fostering teamwork and collaboration: 

• Leading change: 

• Acting with integrity:

• Creating a safe environment:

• Communicating effectively:

View the whole article here.  

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The 9 Faces of Leadership

FedEx uses these criteria to identify potential leaders. 

 

Charisma


Individual consideration


Intellectual stimulation


Courage


Dependability


Flexibility

Integrity


Judgment


Respect for others

View the whole article here.
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Five Steps for Winning Conversations With Donors

Know exactly what you want.


Prepare the conversation. 

Deliver with confidence. 

Clarify your results. 

Plan the next move. 

View the whole article here.

National Afterschool Association 24th Annual National Convention: Day 1, Part 2

Day 1, Part 2

Afternoon Workshop: Eight Habits of Highly Effective Afterschool Leaders presented by Mike and Chelsea Ashcraft, Children's Choice Child Care Services, Inc.

Workshop Blurb: Attend this workshop and explore the traits, passions and habits required to be a highly effective afterschool leader of children and staff. These 8 habits are essential for afterschool professionals in leadership roles: leading kids, mentoring colleagues, or supervising staff. Come investigate these powerful elements and learn practical and use approaches to enhance these traits and transform yourself and others into extraordinary afterschool leaders.

Lessons Learned:

The 8 Habits of Highly Effective Afterschool Leaders are

1. Safety First - not only health, but emotional as well.

2. Vision and Values - Values = Foundation (who's the boss?) and Leadership = Love ( staff, youth, etc.)
     

    Values -

• Positivity
• Sponginess (soaking up knowledge)
• Trust and support
•  Goals/mission/vision.

    Vision = Compass (where you want to go)

• Shared vision of excellence centered on the kids, families, schools and community.
• Focus on quality

A Dream Is Just A Dream Until You Take Your Pajamas Off And Get To Work!

3. E.R.E - Environment, Relationships, Experiences. The environment sends cues about how we should  feel and behave. It's all about relationships...knowledge rests not just within truth, but also upon error. When it comes to experiences, you should "make like a puppy" (be enthusiastic), establish "Funergy" (the act of combining playfulness and enthusiasm to create a valuable experience--my own definition) and create "Purple Cow" moments.

4. Leadership Culture = KIPC (Knowledge, Information, Power, Control)

5. Influence - fun, playful, challenging, meaningful work, sincere acknowledgement, objective feedback, teamwork and relevancy (what's in it for me) is intrinsically rewarding. Find a frame that works. If you can't frame it...don't teach it.

" Pull the strong and it will follow wherever you pull it. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all" - General Dwight D. Eisenhower

6. Community Building (Kids, Families, Staff) - all activities should have a purpose. All for one and one for all.

7. Dialogue - Planning, Purpose, Outcome, Kiss & W.A.I.T (Why Am I Talking)! - 

    

    Ground Rules for staff/board meetings:

• One person at a time (using a "talking stick"--this would probably work better with Youth Advisory Council)
• No put-downs
• No Fire-hosing (shooting down ideas or opinions)

8. Forever - Lifelong Learning and Critical Reflection

• Request help
• Sharpen the saw - take care of yourself physically, socially, mentally (learn a new skill, read, write, teach, etc.), and spiritually (nature, meditation, music, art, etc.)

My Thoughts:

I'm currently taking a mentored Leadership Development course this spring and thought this workshop would complement that, specifically since the focus is on afterschool leaders. During my mentored course, I learned about many of the above topics (vision, values, influence, organizational culture, communication and continued learning) but there is always room for improvement. I can help a child develop a positive self-image by avoiding showing favoritism, having faith in children to accomplish tasks and do the right thing, and being consistent in attitude, behavior and decision; I can employ the no-firehosing rule when it comes to communicating with staff and/or board members. Just be more open-minded use words like "and" or "if" instead of "but" (That’s a good idea, AND it might work, IF you can find a way to afford it" vs "That’s a good idea, BUT we can’t afford it").

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Mid-Afternoon Workshop: Leadership Lessons for Afterschool Program Directors presented by Dr. Paul Young, National AfterSchool Association

    Workshop Blurb: Are you an administrator of an afterschool program? Do you share responsibilities for training aspiring or practicing program leaders? Want to do more leading than managing? AfterSchool Leadership Lessons includes dozens of practical job-embedded studies that are relevant for school-based, community-based, full-time, or part-time, new or experienced program leaders. This session is interactive, fun, and certain to equip you with ideas that help you design the future of your afterschool program.

Lessons Learned:

• Afterschool program leaders must be collaborative partners that embrace school learning goals and show commitment to achieve those goals. Working in isolation without community connections will result in high levels of frustration.

• Afterschool professionals have a personal obligation and a collegial responsibility to support the needs and increase the capacity of individuals leading afterschool programs.

• Leadership comes from your ability to inspire trust in other people. If people trust you, they will follow. If people can't trust you, eventually things will fall apart.

Leadership skills, knowledge, discipline, qualities and traits that afterschool professionals need to be effective in their work: knowledge, appearance of power, standard, integrity, vision, assertiveness, trust, charisma, optimism.

• Being a manager, supervisor, or the person accountable for things or simply having a title does not make you a leader. You must build relationships to become a leader.  

• Leadership is about influence. There are five common levels of leadership influence (referenced John C. Maxwell's Leadership 101):           

         1. Position - People follow because they have to.

         2. Permission - People follow because they want to.

         3. Production - People follow because of what you have done for the organization.

         4. Pinnacle (Person Development) - People follow because of what you have done for them     personally.

         5. Personhood - People follow because of who you are and what you represent.

• A leader's job is to anticipate what will happen, minimize the unpredictable, understand the consequences, and lead with cunning and power. Character is essential. Legacy is shaped by instincts which reflect character. Leaders cannot ignore their ideals or fail to deal with the realities around them!

My Thoughts: 

Early on during school, I quickly learned that I did not want to be the ED of my organization. I want to be the person coming up with the program ideas, like a program director/manager/coordinator. When I saw this workshop offered in the book, it was an immediate first choice. The workshop was mostly interactive. The NAA website has AfterSchool Leadership lessons for members only and Dr. Young had about 25 in his presentation. Since he couldn't go over all of them, he asked engaged the audience by finding out what they wanted to talk about. He announced the birth date of a family member and whichever audience member was closest, got to pick a topic. "Dealing with Difficult Parents" and "Ethical Afterschool Leadership" were a couple of the topics that were chosen. This workshop touched on things I've learned in my mentored Leadership Development course such as influence, relationship-building, and the skills needed to be an effective leader. Dr. Young even provided some action items that I can do:


1. Review, learn, adapt, and practice strategies outlined in common leadership lesson on NAA website.

2. Read the books Buy-In: Saving your Good Idea from Getting Shot Down (Kotter, J & Whitehead, L.), Leadership 101 (Maxwell, J), and Purple Cow (Godin, S).

3. Self-evaluation is essential to improving leadership capacity. Reflect on how effectively you invest and engage in your own professional development.

4. Network with and learn from other afterschool program leaders. Listen and learn from their stories.