| November 19, 2007 |
Vol 8, Issue 36 |
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 Get Ready to Lead!
"It's simple. We're just changing the world."
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How you personally can equip the next generation of leaders
| Greetings!...
 Kathi Milsaps is a self-proclaimed "everyday leader." As a homeschool mom and co-op leader, she and her team founded an annual leadership camp four years ago. I found her dedication to this project inspiring, and wanted to encourage you this week with the story of a person who, along with her team, is genuinely making a difference. In this issue you'll find Kathi's story as well as an interview of how she trains leaders--and how you can do the same, starting next summer.
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Everyday leaders training the next generation
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 Kathi Milsaps had a burden for the next generation of leaders. As a homeschool mom, she knew she needed to act. So Kathi became the Student Leadership Team Advisor for Crossroads Christian School, a homeschool co-op.
It was in that position that Kathi decided to start a leadership camp. Kathi says, "I was elated that so many students in our homeschool group had the desire to be leaders." Some of the students lived an hour away but were there each day in time for the 9 am start.
This year instead of having a speaker Kathi decided to try Passing the Baton's Secrets of the World Changers curriculum. World Changers is a DVD curriculum with a study guide that helps students get a vision, understand their God-given design, develop strong motivation, and set goals.
In conjunction with an interactive program of team-building games, having a "video" speaker rather than a "live" speaker seemed to work well. "They thought you were inspirational--and funny," Kathi told me.
In addition to the video teaching, Kathi arranged team-building projects that included creating skits based on Mark 16:15, 1 John 5:4 and the statement "Changing the World One Leaders at a Time."
What a summer project! There are thousands of homeschool co-ops, summer recreation programs and neighborhood groups in the U.S. I wonder what the impact would be if everyday leaders mobilized themselves for three days of impact. Talke about grass-roots influence!
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Simple steps to preparing the next generation: an interview with Kathi Milsaps
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 What is your vision for the next generation?
My vision is for the next generation to impact their world by being bold in their faith, and therefore magnetic leaders...because nothing is more magnetic that someone who really allows themselves to be used by God. Matthew 5:16, "...Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
What are some of the things you've done to prepare students to lead?
Five years ago, a dear friend and I shared the vision that our home school group needed a Student Leadership Team. Through this outlet our students could experience student government and participate in leadership training.
By the end of the year we realized that we could reach more students with an intense 3-day leadership camp. That first year we had 18 attendees, and this year we had 75 students attend!
An added benefit of group training is that students hold one another accountable for what they have learned at camp. Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
How have Passing the Baton resources been helpful to you in doing this?
We have used both Secrets of Everyday Leaders and Secrets of the World Changers curriculum at our camps. The students love Jeff Myers because he has great stories to tell and is a fantastic communicator.
When the students realized that we had used the last of Jeff's published curriculum, they told me to write him and tell him that we need something ready for our next leadership camp in August 2008. Is that enough time for you Mr. Myers?!
What is your favorite Passing the Baton resource?
Secrets of Everyday Leaders is my personal favorite because I am an everyday person who learned that I had gifts and abilities to share because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I have also personally benefited from the CD The Blessing: How to Transform Your Home, Church and Community.
What are some creative things you do to help ignite students' passion?
At our leadership camp the students are assigned to groups and placed into many problem-solving situations. The leader-follower dynamic is fascinating to watch! The students have learned by now that they need to utilize everyone's gifts and synergize. They are also learning that in some situations a true leader must be willing to ask for help from others who may outpace, outshine and outthink them.
Where do you get your ideas?
The problem-solving situations are in the form of leadership games that come from books, or my personal inspirations. I absolutely love making up games for camp! The kids are always wildly curious as to what they will be doing next. Will it involve balloons and tape? Blindfolds and combination locks? toilet plungers? Sudoku puzzles?
If people want to contact you to be a part of your program, or to set up one like it in their communities, how can they contact you?
I would love to share the ideas that we have implemented for our home schooled high schoolers! I say we because these things could not function without strong parental support, and unfailing support from our group administrator and board. You can contact me here.
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 From Jeff Myers: Make it a Great Week!
Our team appreciates your prayers this week. Sean Bevier is on his way to Singapore for our student leadership conference there, and then on to Indonesia to work with a group we're thinking about partnering with.
I'm in California working with Christian school teachers. Today I'll be speaking to a group of 8,000 teachers on the theme of Passing the Baton, encouraging them to disciple their students in the way Jesus discipled his followers.
Then it's on to Thanksgiving! As I reflect on the approaching holiday, I realize how grateful I am for God's provision in what has been an extraordinary year for our team.
We don't know what God will do with Passing the Baton in 2008, but we are making our plans and trusting Him for the outcome. Our primarily focus will be on Christian schools and homeschool groups here in the States. The students in these schools match the profile of those likely to emerge as leaders.
It's pretty intimidating for Christian educators to realize that they're "riding the tiger," so to speak--that they have been given stewardship responsibility for training a generation of godly leaders.
Most schools shy away from this responsibility. Fortunately, more and more of them are trusting Passing the Baton to help them transform their schools into nerve centers for leadership training.
Focusing on leader development is a great way for schools to differentiate themselves from other educational options in the community. Parents like the idea very much. Some schools have realized that if just one more student enrolls as a result of the initiative, the entire program would pay for itself.
We were privileged to work with more than 300 Christian schools around the world in 2007 and are looking forward to expanding that work in 2008. If your church, school or homeschool co-op wants to mobilize adults to intentionally prepare a generation of leaders, we want to talk with you right away. Call Wolfgang Seibler at 423-570-1000 ext. 5 to book a date for your workshop.
Make it a great week!
--Jeff
Jeff Myers, Ph.D., President
Passing the Baton International, Inc.
Click here to e-mail me. Or here to visit our website. |
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