This year, our MDD Youth Adult Committee has struggled with riffs in communication, job descriptions that were as clear as mud and less than consistent timelines for getting things done. As the paid organizer of this team, I take responsibility for the slack strands in our web. However, despite (or perhaps because of) the threadbare network we seem to be working in, the MDD leadership team is determined to make connections stronger, make actions more meaningful and make 2012 a year to remember.
Deep in the thick of year two, I've gained a lot of insight into how to organize a productive youth ministry leadership team. I've made friends with my counterpart in the Pacific North West District, Anne-Marie Davidson, and learned a lot from the way their YES team runs. I've spoken with our top leaders in youth ministry from around the district and have come up with some solutions to what have been our stickiest problems. The stickiest of sticky has definitely been the sheer number of leaders I'm attempting to manage. They say that many hands make light work but, 5 teams of 5 (four cluster teams and a district team) make for SO many hands that no one is even clear on the work that needs to be done. Many people ran for 2012 YAC because no-one else from their cluster was present and someone had to fill the empty slot. I brainstormed with youth and adults at the Northern (Oct) and Southern (Nov) Cluster Cons and talked it over with the district YAC and come up with a, might I say, brilliant plan for next year's YAC.
Streamlined Leadership Team:
Youth and adults with an interest and potential for great leadership will apply for YAC positions. Applications will be available at Winter Con and will be due April 1st to be reviewed by this year's YAC. The YRUU Community will vote for their leadership at Bridging Con by discussing the applications in the cluster meetings and a business meeting. (Folks running who cannot attend could even create a 1 min youtube stating why we should vote for them).
Available Positions:
Each cluster will have two youth representatives and one adult representative. The youth Community Rep will be in charge of the spiritual elements of organizing (worships, spirit committee, gaggle groups etc) the youth Spirit Rep will be in charge of the community building elements or organizing (workshops, social justice activities, business meeting, etc). The adult Advisor Rep will act as advisor to the two youth reps. The 12 cluster reps will be joined by one youth Chair and one youth Peer Chaplain from anywhere in the district and the Youth Ministry Consultant and the Chaplain.
PDF and Word Applications available shortly, ONLINE APPLICATION HERE.
Posted Monday, 09 January 2012 13:03 Written by Jennica Davis
