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Problem Solving and Getting To Know Yourself As A Leader

GOALS:
1)  To discuss the most difficult challenge to TYG leaders and to come up with ways to approach and solve them.
2)  To examine different leadership styles and characteristics.
3)  To evaluate the ideal leadership styles for TYG officers.
4)  To begin to develop personal leadership qualities.

OBJECTIVES:
1)  Attain new ideas to deal with TYG challenges.
2)  List the ideal qualities and skills of a TYG leader.
3)  Compare ideal qualities and skills of a TYG leader to their own leadership qualities and skills.

TIME TABLE::
0:00-0:15 SKITS
0:15-0:30 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
0:30-0:45 ACTIVITY
0:45-1:00 WRAP-UP

MATERIALS:
Name Tags for Roles
Index Cards with leadership words on them
Butcher Paper
Markers

PROCEDURE:

0:00-0:15  SKITS

SKIT I (5 Min.)
The RCVP enters the Rabbi's office.  He/she explains that there is a Friday night all-synagogue worship service that must be planned by the youth group.  The RCVP already has an idea for a theme and asks for info.  The Rabbi gives him/her a packet.   He/she explains that he/she will work on a sermon and make up the service.  3 weeks pass.  He/she comes to see the Rabbi again and the Rabbi asks if he/she is prepared.  The RCVP explains that he/she wrote the entire sermon and put the service together and even added some original poetry.  The Rabbi asks if anyone else has been involved in preparing the service.  The RCVP explains that he/she does not have a committee like the other officers do, explaining that he/she is fully capable of doing all the work.  The Rabbi asks who will participate in the service.  The RCVP responds with the names of 2 best friends.  Two weeks later we see the RCVP saying, "I can't understand why there are so few members here.  Now even the other officers are here.  I don't understand why that is.  The service will be so good.  It was on the calendar.  I give everything to this youth group, and no one even cares!"

SKIT II (5 Min.)
A board meeting is taking place.  The president announces that they must begin planning the new membership events.  The PVP offers an idea.  "Why don't we do an overnight kidnap thing!"  The president sneers and says, "Okay, you can do all the planning and publicity along with your committees."  The PVP asks, "Don't you like the idea?  Don't you want to help?"  The President replies, "Sure, it's a find idea.  I just think you should get your committees working on it.  You can handle it.  I'm busy with other things like college applications."

SKIT III (5 Min.)
The TYG is at a soup kitchen helping feed homeless people.  Suddenly two of the members begin fighting about a test they had at school.  They get angry and one threatens to leave.  One of the officers notices and approaches.  The officer calmly asks what is going on.  They explain the argument.  The officer says, "I'm sure that what you are discussing is very important to your lives, and we can address the problems at some point, but right now, why don't we focus on people whose problems are life-threatening.  We are working to save the world and to help these homeless people.  Let's concentrate on that, and then later we can figure out how both of you can work together within the TYG.  We need both of you and can't afford to have you quit because of interpersonal problems."

0:15-0:30  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1)  Which TYG officers seemed to be the best?
2)  What could they have done to make the situation better and help the TYG?
3)  What are the other very challenging situations that TYG officers face?
4)  What are good approaches to take in working with the board?  In working with other members?

0:30-0:45  ACTIVITY
This section is about leadership style and qualities.  The group is given a stack of cards with the following words on them:
BOSSY
SELF-ASSURED
LISTENS WELL
HONEST
FLEXIBLE
ROLE MODEL
COMMUNICATIVE
IGNORANT ABOUT JUDAISM
FRIENDLY
EGOTISTICAL
DISORGANIZED
BUSY
DOES ALL THE WORK
UPTIGHT
CALM
DELEGATES AUTHORITY
ORGANIZED
INTERESTED IN JUDAISM

The group will be asked to make a pile of the characteristics which a good TYG leader should have.  Then using these characteristics, they will draw a life sized SUPER TYG LEADER with different body parts representing these different characteristics.  They may add other important qualities as well.

Looking at the list of all the qualities each person should identify their own characteristics, both positive and negative.  They should figure out all the qualities they do not have that they would like to develop as a TYG leader.

0:45-1:00  WRAP-UP
Looking back at the 3 skits the group leader ill ask what qualities some of the officers lacked and what leadership qualities they did have.  The group leader will lead a brief discussion comparing what we think of as an ideal TYG leader to the individuals in the group.  The participants can share what they think their weak points are and they can discuss ways of developing better leadership qualities.