Youth Ambassadors Program 2012
Roles, Responsibilities and Qualifications
Purpose: The Youth Ambassador Program develops the leadership capacities of young people who want to become more effective interfaith organizers and peace-­‐builders. It allows participants to build genuine cross-­‐cultural and cross-­‐regional relationships with other motivated young people by becoming a part of a growing group of quality young leaders within URI. Objectives of the role:
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To develop experience in interfaith dialogue and action To represent young people within URI and to grow the global URI youth network To use your skills to take active leadership in URI’s Young Leaders Program, in URI’s wider global network, and in your own community Benefits of the role:
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Receive training that will enhance your leadership skills Join a growing group of young leaders working on exciting and impactful interfaith activities Contribute your own ideas and implement an original project with a capable team of young leaders Receive a grant to support your project Take on a significant role within a large, international organization Have the chance to build strong and long lasting relationships with people from different backgrounds Access opportunities to work with other young leaders in URI and participate in wider URI activities Travel within your region to attend national and international programs. Youth Ambassadors Program 2012
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM
DESIRED QUALITIES AND SKILLS
What does the role involve? • Attending a Residential Training Course in interfaith dialogue skills, project planning, communication and leadership skills, outreach, networking, and evaluation process • Identifying an opportunity in your local community to engage in voluntary service to participate in, as part of your capacity as a youth ambassador. • Designing and implementing a project/campaign or activity in collaboration with the other Youth Ambassadors in your region • Creating a URI Cooperation Circle (CC), joining an existing CC or taking a greater role in a CC which you are already a member of • Providing new young people in your community with an introduction to URI • Blogging on your activities An interest in interfaith/intercultural dialogue Demonstrable commitment to building understanding and cooperation between people from different backgrounds Experience with volunteering and community service. Communication skills -­‐ either confident or willing to develop confidence in writing and speaking/presenting An original project idea to potentially develop if selected as an ambassador. Projects that you are working on do not fit this requirement, since each ambassador will work on a collaborative project with their 3 regional counterparts. Demonstrable leadership potential, but also a have genuine need for some training and support in order to achieve your ideas Some knowledge of URI, its values and work, whether from your own experience or by researching and reading before you apply Identification with URI’s Preamble, Purpose and Principles – recognize them as valuable ideas that resonate with you •
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How much time will I have to commit? Specific time commitments include: • Initial 5-­‐day residential training course • Great Lakes only: 3 subsequent 2-­‐day meetings throughout the year • Approx. 1 hour each month writing an update and compiling photos about your progress • 1 hour each month checking in by phone with your supervisor • 1 hour each month attending a conference call with other Youth Ambassadors* • A few hours planning your act of service, then a few more hours implementing it • A few hours each week planning and then delivering a project in collaboration with the other ambassadors in your region • 1-­‐2 hours every few months writing blogs and articles for the URI network about your work •
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Willingness to make the necessary time commitment Flexibility – conference calls will occasionally involve several different time-­‐zones Reliability – you should be able to attend calls that are scheduled with your fellow Ambassadors and your supervisor. Regular internet access is important Willing to balance the role with other commitments you may have Youth Ambassadors Program 2012
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM
DESIRED QUALITIES AND SKILLS
Where will I be working? • You will attend an initial 5-­‐day training retreat in your region. [Kampala for Great Lakes Region] with the other Youth Ambassadors. All travel and accommodation costs will be covered. There you will begin to plan the project you will be working on with the other Ambassadors. • While your project may be something that is region-­‐
wide, you will mainly be working in your own local area or community. • As you develop links to Cooperation Circles in your region as well as the Regional Leadership team, you may have opportunities to work with people in other parts of your region or work in other parts of your region. However, this is not guaranteed as a part of the program. • Much of the work will be virtual, connecting via phone, online messaging and writing blogs for the web. Must be willing and able to travel to other countries/states in your region. Demonstrable ideas for working in your own local area; being involved in a local community (e.g. a Faith Community, volunteering project, student society, URI CC etc.) an advantage Initiative to work by yourself in your local community, supported by others in your region Vision for connecting your work with the work of others in your region Who will I be working with? • 3 other Youth Ambassadors in your region: you will work as a team to design and implement a project in your region and/or local areas • Members of the Global Youth Network, including past Youth Ambassadors, who will provide support and mentoring, as well as assistance on your project and act of service. You will also be invited to participate in their efforts to grow the youth network and design new and exciting youth activities in your region • Regional Leadership Team: comprised of the Regional Coordinator – the URI staff person in a region, URI Global trustees (3 in each region) and others. It is important that you build good relationships with them in order to increase your involvement in and knowledge of URI’s work in your region • Young Leaders Program Coordinator, who will be working with you through each step of your project plan and will help meet your training needs and provide resources and support • Cooperation Circles: you are either a member of a CC already or will join one or set one up as a result of this program. You will be connected to CCs in your region so you get a sense of how URI works and the variety of activities CCs are involved in •
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Demonstrable teamwork skills -­‐ you will need to work on a collaborative project with 3 other Youth Ambassadors Prompt in your responses to communications Willing to listen to others, not just put your own ideas and methods forward Interested in becoming more involved in URI throughout the program and afterwards Respectful towards your peers and to mentors, acknowledging the contribution they are making to your work Youth Ambassadors Program 2012
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM
DESIRED QUALITIES AND SKILLS
What support, supervision and training will I receive? • Young Leaders Program Coordinator – who will arrange monthly check-­‐ins, provide materials, connect you to people who can help you in your work; advise you, help evaluate your work, monitor your progress, assess training needs and provide tools for your own leadership development • Residential training at the start of your term will develop skills in: working with budgets, planning projects, engaging others (youth and members of other faith communities), dialogue and facilitation (through dialogue models and communication skills), teamwork and evaluation • Peer mentoring: experienced young leaders in your region, advice, support, encouragement Desire to gain more experience and skills – this program is designed to be a learning experience Happy to ask others for help Able to take advice on board What resources will I receive? • Seed funds of $2500 (US Dollars) for your joint project • Online learning resources: new resource each month forming an online curriculum for young leaders • Business cards and letter and certificate of acknowledgement of your role • Young Leaders Handbook containing useful tools and tips for interfaith dialogue and action •
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Responsible – you will need to show you can handle a budget and produce a project that is both exciting and worthwhile for all involved Practical – we are not just looking for ideas, we support people who can put ideas into action Effective – you need to be able to work with the resources you have access to Happy to provide feedback on the learning materials you receive * Conference Calls: Calls each month will be with the 3 other Youth Ambassadors in your region and your supervisor, the Young
Leaders Program Coordinator. Some other young leaders from your region who are supporting you in peer mentor roles may also
join from time to time. Once every three months there will be a conference call with all Youth Ambassadors from the 3 regions, so
that you can connect with young people in other parts of the world too. These calls will be a little longer due to the larger amount
of participants.
Youth Ambassadors Program 2012