Welcome to the month of May dedicated to WASC Leadership Standard #7- Decision Making!  A couple weeks ago, my son insisted he take me to a movie he recently saw with his friend. The movie was “42″ – the story of Jackie Robinson.  It was an amazing movie highlighting the challenges facing Robinson both on and off the field.  I asked Fletcher, who is not a baseball player, why he liked the movie so much, he replied, “Mom, no matter what happened, Jackie Robinson just got back up and kept going – it didn’t matter if people teased him, treated him bad, he just kept doing what he loved – I want to be like him”.

My son is much like any other 10 year old out there, searching for a hero in a world where those seem no longer to exist. That day he found one – number “42″- Jackie Robinson! Now, when it came to decision making, Robinson had some important ones to make!  Adversity was around every corner for him. He had to choose to either get angry and react, or simply put faith in the game he loved.  His message is timeless.  I have sat so many times along the sidelines of my children’s games hearing parents scream negative comments to their kids and the officials, even witnessed coaches publicly ridicule their players for mistakes.  Decision making at its finest.

During the month of May, my hope is that when it comes to the decisions you make, you are always reminded that someone, somewhere is watching.  They are learning from what you are modeling, and in most cases, searching for that hero to believe in and one day become!  On April 15, 1997, Robinson’s jersey number, 42, was retired throughout Major League Baseball, the first time any jersey number had been retired throughout one of the four major sports leagues. Robinson taught us a lot back then and still today.  One number can indeed change everything.

Welcome to the month of April dedicated to WASC Leadership Standard #10- Conflict Resolution!  When I returned home this past weekend from my beach vacation with my family, the following quote kept surfacing as I reflected on our time together and the book from Lindbergh I read, Gift from the Sea. The book was written in the 1950’s and re-released a couple years ago.  It reminded me that some lessons are timeless – they can be revisited over and over again and have the same clear message. Lindbergh’s lessons learned at the beach in the 50′s were indeed timeless and directly correlated with this month’s lesson on the necessities of resolving conflict – patience, being open to other’s ideas, simplicity, and careful thought.

The shells my kids and I picked up on the beach this past week were gentle reminders that those treasures we found – as quickly as they were tossed up on the white sand for taking, could be just as quickly taken back with the recession of the tide.  Patience and faith were necessary to find such treasures and to keep those shells as reminders, well that was a gift.  Tackling change and resolving conflict are no different.  It is critical to have patience for oneself, patience for others, and patience for the unexpected.  It is only through such patience and openness that we are able to overcome challenges and truly appreciate the gifts such experiences provide.

The shells also reminded me, as Lindbergh describes, about “the importance of shedding” – how little one can get along with on the beach, not how much.  Our regular lives have become so complex and full of “stuff” – social networking, over scheduled children, always being “reachable”,  and the list goes on.  Much like the hermit crab “sheds” its shell for another, we must do the same.  We all need that time to take off our shells and spend time in solitude taking in the gift of simplicity. We can never truly be open to others and the challenges that arise unless we have taken time in solitude to contemplate our landscapes.  It is only in times of reflection and solitude that true personal and professional conflict can be resolved.

Now on my desk sit a variety of shells I brought home from the trip, all reminders of the importance of the lessons I learned from not only the book, but also my time on the beach.  I hope you all have your reminders as well!

Welcome to the month of March dedicated to WASC Leadership Standard #5- Effective Communication!  When I typically address this concept with students or adults, I focus a great deal on verbal and written communication.  This month’s message on communication however, I found in an unlikely spot, in Goldsmith’s new book – MOJO.  Goldsmith defines “mojo” as “that positive spirit toward what you are doing that starts from the inside and radiates to the outside”. As I contemplated the people I love communicating with, bottom-line, they all have what Goldsmith deems as “mojo” – a positive spirit, a sense of grace, and this unexplainable, genuine happiness that radiates from the inside out. Something far easier to explain than to teach.

Goldsmith ends his book with “Coda: You Go First” – in a nutshell, mojo equals happiness and happiness starts with you!  His message really hit home with me.  I am often asked “What do you want for your own kids?”….I never come back with: to be a star athlete, top of their class, wealthy, popular, etc.  I always say – “I just want them to be happy!”  I would guess a lot of you would say the same thing. So what’s the magic recipe?  To be honest, right now I feel the only thing I’m teaching my kids is how to become the ringmaster of their own 3 ring circus- stress, chaos, complexity.

Goldsmith reminds us, “You Go First”.  You teach “happiness” by finding it first inside yourself and then radiating to those around you! You don’t find the happiness Goldsmith speaks of in chaos and complexity, rather, you find it in simplicity – moments of calm and peace.  If you want to be an effective communicator or teach others to employ those skills, the first step is finding your own “happiness”. Starting today, YOU GO FIRST!

The dynamics of society have changed as we enter the second decade of the 21st Century. To survive, leaders both young and old need essential leadership skills to assume the complex responsibilities facing them and, more importantly, to work collectively. However, there is much research that indicates that students lack the leadership skills needed to meet those demands. A study conducted by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills found that leadership skills—such as communication, time management, critical thinking, problem solving, personal accountability, ethical decision making, and the ability to work eectively with others—are the areas in which young people are least prepared (Casner-Lotto, 2006).

The urgency of youth leadership development has never been more apparent. However, it is necessary for business leaders to work in collaboration with educational leaders to address such development. In Wisconsin, business leaders have embraced this collaboration and developed a way to prepare their young people for success.

The Rotary Club motto is “service above self ” and in Wisconsin, the Madison Downtown Rotary Club believes that service begins with its youth. “e Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program is conducted around the world and seeks to provide young adults, ages 14–30, with an opportunity to develop their skills and character while introducing them to Rotarian values of service, high ethical standards, and peace. In District 6250, District Governor Charles Hanson and RYLA Chair Jeff Odom approach youth leadership development as urgent and essential.

Hanson and Odom brought business and educational leaders together, including the Wisconsin Association of School Councils (WASC)—experts in youth leadership development—to spearhead the development of a three-day leadership development program. “e exceptional leadership programming of RYLA combined with encouragement from Hanson and Odom provides an experience unmatched by other youth leadership development efforts.

In its first year, RYLA more than doubled its enrollment and was described by participants as “life changing” and “the best leadership experience they’ve ever had.” “e curriculum centers around the core values of Rotary International, including the fundamentals of leadership, ethical decision making, effective communication skills, problem solving, con$ict management, the fundamentals of Rotary, and building self-confidence and self-esteem.

For this program, high school student leaders are selected by their local Rotary clubs and sent as ambassadors of their communities.

They represent all facets of the school community and create a diverse mix of students. Students are placed in teams of 12–15, each one from a different city statewide. Throughout the camp, these teams work collaboratively to learn key leadership and team-building skills, create a sense of community, and embrace the values of Rotary. !e weekend retreat incorporates team building, service, and mentorship—all important characteristics in an effective youth development program.

Lerner (2004) defined effective youth leadership development programs as including three key components: life-skill building activities; participation in community service activities; and sustained, positive adult-youth relations. These components are also included in RYLA.

Students provide service throughout the weekend. They write letters to service men and women thanking them for their efforts abroad. They also take on responsibilities during mealtimes, including serving and cleaning up. Rotarians begin each meal with a “service above self ” message, sharing intimate stories of their service around the globe to others less fortunate.

The adult-youth mentoring component is a top priority for the program. Students are divided into small teams of 12 students and are assigned a junior counselor (WASC- trained leadership facilitator), a former RYLA participant, and an adult counselor who is a business leader and Rotarian. Having a Rotarian on each team provides business leaders an opportunity to mentor promising young leaders serving their own communities, not to mention serve as a resource for participants on the path to becoming professional and community leaders.

Matt Boshcka, a small business owner and Rotarian from LaCrosse, WI, described his experience as a Rotarian counselor at the program.

“Every generation needs leaders and for groups of determined, motivated individuals to step up and provide direction to these young people. Rotarians in District 6250 are doing just that. !is camp helped the students sharpen their skills, and I’m con#dent they will take their newly learned leadership and team-building knowledge and apply it in their communities,” he said.

Nancy Jo Schindler, another Rotarian counselor from Menomonie, WI, shared this:

“The students attending had preconceived ideas of what a ‘leader’ looked like and acted like. When I was introduced as their counselor, the looks I got were priceless. Here was their counselor—happy, overweight, old, and handicapped. What transpired between all of us was absolutely amazing. We all learned what preconceived ideas can do to hinder a team. These students are our leaders of tomorrow and need to know that their ideas and skills are just as valuable as the people in business today. They learned this at camp. I wish I could bottle the companionship, skills, and teamwork that I saw at RYLA. I told everyone in my Rotary Club they all need to experience RYLA. It’s a once in a lifetime event. I can’t wait to go back.”

Hanson stated in his address to the RYLA delegates, “Our society desperately needs strong, effective, ethical leaders in all walks of life. We need leaders who understand the importance of providing service to others, promoting integrity, and advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace. We see you as future leaders and we want to partner with you and help you develop the necessary skills for success in any way we can.”

The members of District 6250 are now working with other Districts to create a RYLA program for middle-school students, and eventually college-age students. As a leadership development consultant and a Rotarian, it was an honor not only to be a part of the program, but also to see firsthand, the power in such a partnership. To learn more about a RYLA program near you, visit http://rotary.org/en/studentsandyouth/pages/ridefault.aspx

REFERENCES

Casner-Lotto, J. (2006). Are they really ready to work?: Employers’ perspective on the basic knowledge and applied skills of new entrants to the 21st century U.S. workforce. Conference Board, Partnership for 21st Century Skills: Corporate Voices of Working Families: Society for Human Resource Management.

Lerner, R. M. (2004). Liberty: Thriving and civic engagement among American youth. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

The “WASC Spirit of Excellence Award” Recipients have been chosen for 2012-13!!

Schools across Wisconsin competed for a title more prestigious than any other celebrated:  “The Spirit of Excellence Award” – an award honoring schools for achieving excellence in leadership, sportsmanship, spirit, and service to their school and communities.  True champions in their region and in our state. Schools across the state submitted a detailed portfolio highlighting their achievements in various venues, including leadership, service, lowering the achievement gap, etc. This portfolio was judged by a team of leaders from Wisconsin.

SHS Recipients:

• Region 1 & State Recipient: St. Croix Falls High School
• Region 2:  Medford Area Senior High School
• Region 3: Oconto Falls High School
• Region 4: Hamilton High School
• Region 5: Waunakee Community High School
• Region 6: Adams-Friendship High School

JAM Recipients:

• State Recipient: Bay View Middle School
• Runner-up:  Medford Area Middle School

Recognition for this award include banners for the recipients, an awards presentation at half-time of the Mar. 17^th Milwaukee Bucks Game, an all school assembly for the state recipients, and an awards presentation at the WASC State JAM and SHS Conferences in Green Bay. Congratulations to ALL of our participating schools!

Revenge (Season 1, Episode 10)

Welcome to the month of February dedicated to WASC Leadership Standard #2 – Character!  When I contemplated character this month, I kept coming back to loyalty – a very complex word and one that Webster defines as faithful, dependable, and reliable….all elements of good character….all concepts that seem like a vanishing reality in today’s world….and some of the toughest to teach.

The first thing that pops out of my head when I think about loyalty is my dog Abbey.  She has been there with unwavering loyalty through thick and thin. I’m sure there are lots of folks out there that are nodding their heads in agreement referring to their own pet!  Owners of pets often imagine a world where everyone displayed such loyalty!  Heck, I’d give my next pay check just to be my dog for a week!!  Here’s the truth about Abbey, I could forget to feed her, be away from home for days at a time, and she would still be there waiting, tail wagging, just waiting for a chance to steal my attention!  That is the reality!  Now is that acceptable?  Well for me, Absolutely NOT!

If you have lived long enough on this planet, it’s hard not to read the above quote from Revenge without nodding in agreement. Loyalty is a tricky concept as indicated in the quote. It is a concept deeply rooted in relationships. Relationships are necessary to ANYTHING you want to do in this world! However, they bring along expectations and expectations are either met or not…and that’s where the life lesson begins.

When I think of those people that have extraordinary character, they are those people that do not take relationships for granted.  They, as Webster concludes, are faithful, dependable and reliable.  They nurture relationships and encourage synergy to those that join them on their journey.  They have learned firsthand about building relationships, only to find them destroyed in seconds by ill will, hurtful words, and the selfish actions of others.  Through this they have learned the art of forgiveness and perseverance; two more essentials of character.  Character encompasses a great deal.  In the month of February, may you be reminded that it is through the relationships and loyalties you not only keep but nurture, that you learn the greatest lessons about character.