We all need new ideas, new connections and new energy to lead us into this next year. Reignite your interest in other programs and people by actively connecting to others in out-of-school time. Your professional network will offer you support and connection when the going gets tough… and it’s been tough! So, now’s a good time to gather together to build, heal and connect.

As a leader in the field, you may already be doing these things. If you’re not, try them. If you are, consider how you could share these steps with staff on your team. Help them grow their professional networks.

As the new program year begins, it’s important staff build positive relationships with young people. Share these basic tips with your team to get started.

Over the past 18 months, everyone has become more comfortable online. People who formerly preferred conference calls and didn’t own a webcam became adept at seeing themselves on camera and even using emoji reactions. Let’s build upon that progress and improve your meeting facilitation so every virtual participant feels like your online meetings are a good use of time.

Just like us, there are staff who want the certificate and most will log the seat time if it’s required. But, if we’re truly trying to find ways to motivate participation—and learning—extrinsic consequences and rewards are not the answer.

As you prepare to enter a new season of programming, you can lead the program everyone wants to be part of. You can lead the program where staff and students flourish. To do it, you start with yourself.

Designing online learning is not easy but it’s also not hard. Check out these clear tips on how to get started for yourself. AND take our quiz to find out your own Online PD SuperPower!

When considering how to design staff development for this summer and next fall, it’s important to bring together both the “knowing about” and the “knowing how to” for a broader staff experience.

You’ve been planning the logistics, posting job descriptions, maybe interviewing potential staff in preparation for your programming this summer. But once these big pieces are in place, how will you prepare staff to meet the needs of young people this summer?

You’ve made it to the top of the mountain this year. Now as you prepare to offer in-person youth programming post-pandemic, don’t miss the opportunities to document what you’ve learned and prepare to initiate better programming.

Virtual learning and facilitation is not going away. Now is a good time to reset and recalibrate your efforts to take the long view. By making a few shifts, you’ll be able to lighten your load, better care for yourself and facilitate better learning for your participants.

2020 has been one of the most traumatic years during our lifetimes. And we know that the immediate and long-term effects on our children and youth could become dire—especially when the 2020 anxieties are coupled with already-existing trauma or challenges. When facilitating youth programming remotely, try these 5 trauma-informed practices to support your participants.

Facilitating good virtual meetings and workshops takes planning and practice. Here are the essential tips, tried and true structures, routines and techniques that make virtual meetings effective and engaging—in a BINGO board :)