It is always a pleasure to speak with Shawna Rosenzweig from Camp Fire, a relentless leader in her pursuit of equity and justice. In our conversation, Shawna reflected on her personal journey leading nonprofit, youth development organizations. She returned again and again to the key to success and a renewable source of energy for her: relationships.

Do you really need step by step directions to be an effective leader?

What a joy to speak with Penn Sheppard from Girls Inc. Driven by passion, Penn has led girl-centered nonprofit work for 40 years. In our interview, she shares her core philosophies that have kept her motivated and making an impact over time. She also discusses the key to navigating the toughest challenge she’s faced: navigating change.

There are four key actions you can take right now to boost the quality of your virtual meetings. Check them out here!

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?