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ell@propeople.org. |
| Quote of the Month | "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
| | Topic of the Month: Taking Action | Don't you love that flash of inspiration, the energy of a creative brainstorm, the excitement you get from visioning a happier, healthier, stronger future? We know we do! We also know that it can be hard to move from that big idea phase to the nitty gritty of gettin' it done. The planning process, though, can be equally satisfying, because ultimately it is the combination of an inspiring idea and a great plan that turn a vision into reality. And changing our realities for the better is what this Network is all about! This issue of MYAN's News to Use is about taking action--moving from a brilliant idea to a plan for success. Turning ideas into action is what changes the world. We hope these tips and tools will help you to corral all those fabulous ideas into practical next steps that will move you and your communities forward. Good luck, and don't forget to let MYAN know how we can help you make your plan a reality!
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| Join the Network: Register Your Group with MYAN! | Be part of an amazing Network of individuals and groups around Maine who are making a difference! Formalizing our Network (which just means people taking our survey) will help us better connect you to the ideas and experiences of other groups doing similar work and to new resources & tools.
We are hoping that ALL groups who want to get or stay connected, even those who have participated at MYAN events in the past, will fill out our Join the Network survey (if they haven't already) so we can update contact information and learn more about what you care about and what you need. |
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| In Your Words | Why Action Plan? By Megan Arsenault, Mountain Valley High School Action planning! What fun! What joy! But, what is it? Action planning is when you and your group get an idea for something to do at your school or in your community, and figure out the steps to make it happen. Why do you want an action plan? One idea to have it is because you'll be able to make a positive change in your community. Who doesn't want to do that? Anther idea to have an action plan is to have your group be more noticed and possibly more respected by your school and peers. To start, make sure you get a piece of paper to write all your ideas down. Remember, no idea is bad. Write all of them down, even the crazy ones. Maybe you'll be able to use them if you modify them. Then figure out which idea you want to move forward with-you can even move forward with more than one if you have the people power and time! Once you know which idea (or ideas) you'll be working on, figure out the tasks that need to get done and who will do each one. Write these down, too! Don't forget to get your plan into action! Actions do speak louder than words. So when you action plan, make a list of people you can talk to or resources you can use to help you complete the tasks you listed. Don't forget to ask yourself if your plan is worth all the time, money and possibly resources. Also, ask yourself what you will do to make your plan AWESOME! I have participated in two organized action planning sessions: one for the Stop. Quit. Resist! Summit in 2006 and the MYAN Peer Leadership Conference in 2007. Both times my group and I had some great ideas for making a positive change in our school and getting more noticed by our community. Some challenges for us though was when we planned at the Stop Quit Resist! Summit, it was near summer and communication broke down. Also shortly after, our group was dissolved. A lesson that was learned was to make sure people weren't fighting in the group and communication was always flowing. Also, you don't have to be at a MYAN event to do action planning. You can do it anywhere, at any meeting of your group. Action planning is a great way to introduce new members or if the group's activity is slowing to a drag. Check out the resources in the "Build Your Skills" section below to help you out, and also here are some tips: - Make sure everyone's idea is heard! If someone is trying to get their idea out but is not being heard, they will feel unappreciated. And who knows what that'll lead to? You may loose a very good team member.
- Be clear who is responsible for doing what, and when. This helps everyone be clear about their responsibilities.
- Stick to your action plan! If you change your action plan, your pretty awesome original idea won't get finished. If you have to make changes, make sure everyone's in the loop about what they are.
- Make sure you have permission from the school/town before you start the "action" part of action planning! If you don't have permission for what you're doing, your group may get in trouble. That won't make your group look good. And we don't want that!
Good luck in your action planning! Now get out there and make a positive change!! |
| Build Your Skills | Knowing you need to make a plan is all well and good, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start! Check out the tried & true tools below to get you going. And remember that before you start any project you'll want to research what's been done before--find evidence-based practices, success stories from other groups or states, etc. Check with your funders for any guidelines they have, too! |
| And the Award Goes To... | - Congratulations to the Phillips Middle School Student Council, the first winners of the Western Mountain Alliance's Jane deFrees Youth Leadership Award! Read more.
- At this year's MYAN Peer Leadership Conference groups from across the state recognized members who have gone above and beyond with a MYAN Youth Leadership Award. (Each attending group had the option to nominate one outstanding member who has shown commitment and passion.) Go to the MYAN website conference page to find out more about these 10 youth who are taking action to make their dreams a reality!
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Messages From MYAN | ~24th Annual Peer Leadership Conference a Success! This year's Conference was an outstanding event, with over 500 youth and adult attendees, presenters & volunteers coming together to build skills, make new connections and get inspired to change the world! Check out the map of locations represented by this year's participants! Conference participants are a great example of youth & adults taking action together: - Conference participants raised $687.50 for this year's charity, The Autism Society of Maine (charity chosen by the Youth Planning Team.)
- 65 conference participants wrote notes of encouragement and support to a Maine student who was recently a victim of a hate incident.
- Thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Bingham Foundation for an action planning session groups made action plans outlining a goal for change, and the steps they will take to make it happen. Groups will work on these plans throughout the school year. If you made an action plan at the conference & would like help getting connected to tools, resources or community connections, contact MYAN!
~MYAN's Youth-Adult Partnership Training Schedule Now Available! See the events calendar section below for details on dates, locations & fees.
~4th Annual Anti-Tobacco Summit Save the date for the 4th Annual Maine Youth Stop. Quit. RESIST! Anti-Tobacco Summit on April 7th and 8th at the Augusta Civic Center. This free event is sponsored by Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine and organized by MYAN and a youth planning team (YPT).
Are you a young person who is passionate about anti-tobacco education and policy change who would like to help plan the event? Contact Molly at moconnell@propeople.org or 874-0060 ext. 208. The Summit YPT will be getting going in early 2008.
~MYAN is moving! As of December 17th, MYAN will be in a new office space at the same location as our mailing address--PROP's main office at 510 Cumberland Ave., Portland. Our email addresses and phone number will remain as 874-0060, but our extensions & fax number will be changing soon. We'll keep you posted!
Keep up to date on Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) events & projects by visiting www.myan.org! |
| Check This Out! | Announcements & Highlights from the Network: - Adcare Educational Institute of Maine will be offering the training "Inhalant Abuse: It's Right Under Your Nose" in April, 2008. According to the 2006 MYDAUS survey, 12% of Maine Students, grades 6-12, reported they have abused inhalants. The goal of this training is to acquaint participants with the nature and patterns of inhalant abuse and provide them with effective prevention tools, messages, and resources. The brochure and registration form will be available in late February on the AdCare web site or you can email adcare@neias.org to request to have one sent to you when it's ready.
- For Southern Maine: Learn more about FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)! The mission of FIRST is to create a world where science and technology are celebrated, where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes. Americorps*VISTA Joshua Dallaire is available to make presentations to 6th-12th grade youth about the FIRST programs, such as their age-appropriate robotics competitions. Contact Joshua at (978) 289-2229 (cell), jdallaire@usfirst.org FMI.
- Need new and fun ideas for doing physical activity or nutrition education and advocacy? There are several new resources up on MYAN's Physical Activity & Nutrition (PAN) resource page, including one on Empowering Youth With Nutrition & Physical Activity and one on Mapping School Food: A Policy Guide.
- Seeking HS-aged youth with a disability and an interest in having a career in the natural sciences. The Eastern Alliance in Science and Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (EAST) is offering a hands-on, field-based science institute during 6 Saturdays in January-May 2008 at no charge. Participants will be involved in authentic field-based science experiments and data collection as well as learn about how to advocate for themselves and be active participants in planning for their future. Applicants should have the potential to access a college curriculum after high school. Interested? Have questions? Contact Pauline Mateyko at 780-5785 or pmateyko@usm.maine.edu.
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| Show Me the Money | United States Institute of Peace Invites High School Students to Enter National Essay Contest The United States Institute of Peace established the National Peace Essay Contest to expand educational opportunities for America's youth. The topic for the 2007-08 competition is "Natural Resources and Conflict." Participants are asked to write a 1,500-word essay stating what they believe are the necessary elements for the development of fair, peaceful, or effective use of natural resources after a conflict. Click here for more information about eligibility & cash prizes. For other awards, fundraising ideas & resources visit MYAN's Grants & Fundraising page! |
| Mark Your Calendar | Want to get the word out about events in your community? Please email Molly O'Connell at moconnell@propeople.org to let us know about what's going on near you! Events will be published on the MYAN website & in the MYAN News to Use when timing allows. 1/30/08 (snow date 2/1), University of Maine, Farmington 2/6/08 (snow date 2/7), Elks Lodge, Waterville 2/27/08 (snow date 2/28), Alamoosook Lakeside Inn, Orland 3/5/08 (snow date 3/6), Lincoln Street Center, Rockland 3/12/08 (snow date 3/13), University of Maine Presque Isle 3/14/08, New England Outdoor Center, Millinocket
The following are just some of the upcoming seminars being offered by the Maine Association of Nonprofits: For a full schedule or to register go to MANP's website.
- Maine's Mentoring Symposium
January 11th, Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, 9:30am-3:00pm.
Registration required by December 28th. Download the event brochure.
Who should attend? Seasoned and new mentoring program directors, program coordinators, match support staff, volunteer mentor coordinators, & those considering developing programs.
Symposium objectives: - Celebrate our collective mentoring successes;
- Learn about & discuss national updates, research-based resources, and a new web-based national data system for mentoring;
- Network and sharing of best practices among mentoring colleagues; and
- Continue charting the course for Mentoring in Maine.
- National Network for Youth Symposium 2008: A Blueprint for the Future
January 27-30, 2008 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington, DC
- 4th Annual Maine Youth Anti-Tobacco Summit
April 7th and 8th, Augusta Civic Center
FREE! Sponsored by Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine, and organized by MYAN with a youth planning team.
- The 19th Annual National Service-Learning Conference: Youth for a Change!
April 9-12, 2008, Minneapolis, MN.
Keynote address by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa
Register online now and save money! Early-bird rates are in effect until January 3, 2007 (extended deadline!)
Find Many More Events & Trainings Happening Around the Network. |
| Call for YOUR Stories | | MYAN's next issue, published in March, will feature Healthy Maine Partnerships' work, and we are looking for YOUR successes to highlight. Inspire others throughout the state by sharing your YAP's story of making positive change in Maine. Tell us about one of your successful YAP projects through: ~a short blurb, or ~a longer youth-written story. Youth whose stories are published in News to Use will receive a $10 stipend! The deadline for blurb or story submissions for the next issue is February 29th.
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