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Here's the latest edition of the Youth Leader Mail, I hope that there's something in it that will resource you in your ministry. In this email you'll read of courses being held, resources that have been developed, research that has been released and much more. Compiled by Darren Wright Video of the Day: Britains Got Talent 2009 - Susan Boyle You may have seen this already, either on television or on the internet, the woman from West Lothian near Edinburgh who shocked the pants off of the judges of the UK "Britain's got talent" when she stood her ground and sang her pants off on the national show. It has me wondering if the surprise teaches us or inspires us to remember not to judge people by their outside, or if it inspires people believe that anyone can be a celebrity
. It's interesting watching how people have responded to this particular story, and other stories like it, do we alter our belief that this is a person of beauty, born of the spirit because they exist, or because they have a talent? If we're honest with ourselves we each have a guilty moment (or longer) where we switch from cynicism to wonder during this clip, do we, even now equate celebrity with worth? When do we realise that Susan is a person born of the Spirit of God? How often do we judge young people in similar ways? How often do we miss their beauty until they've shown some glimpse of leadership, of talent, of gifts, skills? What do we need to be reminded of in order to see people with the eyes of Christ? Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg --- Quote of the Day: Our unwillingness to acknowledge the cross as well as the incarnation has deceived us into believing that we are justified in neglecting a great many adolescents who at first respond to our offers of friendship with ridicule and aggressive rejection. The incarnation has made these very children our responsibility, our beloved brothers and sisters. We must reach out to their humanity even if it means the suffering of our own humanity, for this is the way of the cross. It may be that the reason they don’t trust our offers of friendship is that they intuitively know that we are not willing to see, hear and accompany them in their deepest suffering. We have offered them trips to Disneyland, silly games and “cool” youth rooms, not companionship in the darkest nights, their scariest of hells. - Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry by Andrew Root page 96 --- Back to School 2009 – tell your story Back to School is a nationwide campaign where people from all walks of life go back to their former public schools as positive role models. It’s about connecting schools with communities and inspiring young people to succeed. As a student, teacher, principal, parent or former student you can help support this great campaign in 2009. Back to School events will be held across the country in May – make sure your school, business or community gets involved. For more information or to register now check out: www.backtoschool.org.au --- Reminder - Get Involved - Competition The first competition for this email list is a simple one, I've got a copy of The Island by John Heffernan and Peter Sheehan and a copy of The Rabbits by Shaun Tan to give away. I'm inviting you to send in your reviews of your favourite children's/picture books, include with your review basic themes of the books, a breakdown of the story and the illustrations. Keep your reviews to a minimum of 100 words, and include as much information as you'd like. I'll be placing people's names into a hat and choosing the winners by random, for each review people will get another entry into the hat, so send in as many as you can. The first two people's names out of the hat will be sent a copy of one of the books. I'll send out the reviews in a future Youth Leader Mail and also add them to the digitalorthodoxy.com database of picture books. email your reviews to:
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due date: April 29th, 2009 --- Engaging Adolescents Engaging Adolescents is a one-day practitioner training course that provides professionals with skills (plus a comprehensive training manual and a CD slideshow) for conducting a three-session program for parents of adolescents. Engaging Adolescents helps parents to develop a better understanding of the emotional and developmental changes that their teenagers are going through, and more importantly, it provides them with practice in the skills of managing challenging behaviour and holding difficult conversations with their teens. UPCOMING ENGAGING ADOLESCENTS COURSES: Newcastle, Adelaide, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Darwin, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Townsville. These programs are suitable for family support workers, school counsellors, psychologists and anyone working with parents of adolescents. Attached is the Engaging Adolescents registration form. You can also download registration forms for each location by visiting Parentshop’s practitioner training page (http://www.parentshop.com.au/epages/Parentshop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Parentshop/Categories/Train) The course cost is $399, or $320 if paid by the early-bird date (see booking form for details). PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS Engaging Adolescents has been endorsed by the Australian Psychological Society for 7 specialist or generalists PD points. IN-HOUSE TRAINING Parentshop also offers in-house training. One of our psychologists will come to your venue and deliver the Engaging Adolescents training to a minimum of 15 participants for a discount rate. See attached flyer for details, or go to the website for terms and conditions. For more information about Engaging Adolescents, or our practitioner training course 1-2-3 Magic & Emotion Coaching, please phone Parentshop on 1300 738 278 or 02 6680 8910. Alternatively, visit www.parentshop.com.au, and go to the practitioner training page (http://www.parentshop.com.au/epages/Parentshop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Parentshop/Categories/Train) to view the course curriculum , training dates and evaluations. Engaging Adolescents training dates 2009 Newcastle 6 May 2009 Adelaide 11 May 2009 Sydney 12 May 2009 Coffs Harbour 18 May 2009 Darwin 22 May 2009 Melbourne 18 June 2009 Canberra 19 June 2009 Brisbane 23 June 2009 Sydney 11 August 2009 Townsville 19 August ---- New cannabis resources The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) http://www.ncpic.org.au/ has developed a range of useful resources on cannabis and cannabis use. These publications have been created to target particular audiences and information needs. The six titles are: A single free copy of each resource is available to all DrugInfo Clearinghouse members located in Australia. To request your free set of six, email your name, organisation and postal address to
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or tel. 1300 85 85 84. If you only require specific titles, please indicate which titles you would like. Subsequent copies can be ordered through the DrugInfo Clearinghouse (http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au) or through NCPIC (http://www.ncpic.org.au). --- Young people and drugs: the facts and issues The fully updated Young people and drugs: the facts and issues (http://www.adf.org.au/store/article.asp?ContentID=YoungPeopleAndDrugs768) explores drug-related issues relevant to young people aged between 12 and 18 years. It discusses some of the most common legal and illegal drugs, why young people use drugs, drugs and the law, drug-related terminology, and some of the more common misconceptions and myths relating to drugs. A single free copy of Young people and drugs: the facts and issues (http://www.adf.org.au/store/article.asp?ContentID=YoungPeopleAndDrugs768) is available to all DrugInfo Clearinghouse members located within Australia. To request your free copy, email your name, organisation and postal address to
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or tel. 1800 85 85 84. Subsequent copies can be ordered through the ADF resource catalogue (http://www.adf.org.au/store/browse.asp?ContainerID=catalogues) or online at www.bookshop.adf.org.au. Young people and drugs: the facts and issues http://www.adf.org.au/store/article.asp?ContentID=YoungPeopleAndDrugs768 (Cat. no. 768) Australian Drug Foundation, 2008. Pamphlet. $2.00 each. --- NSW Youth Advisory Council report on cyberbullying The NSW Youth Advisory Council has made recommendations to that state's Minister for Youth on strategies to build awareness of cyberbullying and its effects on young people. (YFX has mentioned in previous issues the council's consultation process which included an online forum where young people had their say on the issue.) See: http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/uploads/documents/CyberbullyingReportforMinisterFinalDec08.pdf (Source: NSW Commission for children and Young People, http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/resources/news.cfm?itemID=C45E4664930F2581FA7D4991A366A798) ---- Cyber Friendly Communities' Declaration against Cyber Bullying among Children and Young People In WA, 210 students in Year 10 attended the Cyber Friendly Student Summit, organised in October 2008 as part of a $400,000 study being conducted by Edith Cowan University's Child Health Promotion Research Centre. Funded by the WA Government, the study is said to be the first in the world to investigate the causes and effects of cyber bullying over time. The summit aimed to get students' ideas on how to improve cyber safety and reduce the academic, social and emotional harms suffered by secondary students who are bullied. The young attendees signed a declaration at the summit and issued a call to action presented to WA's education minister. It listed what the students thought young people, families, schools and Government could do to increase cyber safety and reduce cyber bullying. The ECU Cyber Friendly Schools Project (2008 to 2009) involves research into cyber bullying behaviour in Western Australian schools. Read about it at the Edith Cowan University Child Health Promotion Research Centre website, http://chpru.ecu.edu.au/research/current/cyberfriendly.php#cyberfriendlyschools, (Source: ECU website, http://chpru.ecu.edu.au/research/current/cyberfriendly.php, viewed 20 March 2009, and WA Government, 'Students issue cyber bullying call to action', media release, 26 February 2009, http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=131386) ---- SO: Spaced Out: A board game to raise awareness of link between substance abuse and mental health SO: Spaced Out is a new boardgame, and forms part of the Keep Your Head Together Project, which provides professional development resources for the youth and health sector. The project was a finalist in the National Drug and Alcohol Awards in 2008, in the excellence in prevention category. Young people participated in testing the game, and MLC Powerhouse Design Sydney contributed over $15,000 worth of their time to the game’s visual development. The game allows workers to explore with clients the link between substance use and mental health problems. Specifically designed for use in the youth field, it aims to convey knowledge and generate discussion with young people about dual diagnosis problems. Using character storylines, players collect clues relating to family, societal or psychological issues, and the winner is the first to reach a 'solution space. Along the way, fact cards help players learn more about health issues. The game ends with a facilitator-led discussion about dual diagnosis. The game costs $85.00 (including GST, postage and handling) and is available through the D&A Network, Sydney West Area Health Service. Download flier: http://www.cnet.ngo.net.au/images/stories/05_bg_launch_promo3_1108.pdf (pdf file) For further information please contact: D&A Population Health Team D&A Network Sydney West Area Health Service T: +61 2 4734 3877 ---- The future by us: Visions of Australia 2020 and beyond 'The future by us: Visions of Australia 2020 and beyond', edited by Hugh Evans and Tom O'Connor, is a recently released collection of essays on issues affecting Australia. The collection arose from discussions held during the 2020 Youth Summit last year, an event co-chaired by one of the book's editors, Hugh Evans. In his launch speech for the book, Evans comments that his generation "does not have the option to fail, and, as such, does not have the time to engage in recriminations or point-scoring. 'The Future by us' opens a new kind of dialogue about the future of Australia in a post-crisis world" and "is a call for young Australians to take responsibility for our future, now. If we can come together and change our families, our communities, our schools: we can change the nation". One of the country's best bookshops, Readings, in a review of the book, writes that "If you, like me are starting to feel shrivelled up with pessimism and concern then this is a book for you". The summit "brought together the cream of Australia's young leaders to create a vision of the future Australia they will one day lead. In this thoughtful and provocative collection, they present their vision of the innovative, just and compassionate nation Australia could become". Tom O'Connor is now the General Manager of Oaktree Foundation, an international aid organisation which Hugh Evans founded. Hugh Evans was the Young Australian of the Year in 2004 and is the recipient of the Sir John Monash Award and scholarship from the British Council, which has allowed him to read for his Masters of International Relations at Cambridge University. The book is published by Hardie Grant, ISBN:9781740667173. (Source: Hugh Evans' website, http://hughevans.com.au/speeches?id=101, and Readings Bookshop review, http://www.readings.com.au/reviews, viewed 20 March 2009.) ---- Youth work and social networking This is the title of a report by the UK's National Youth Agency that was released in September 2008. This report, based on a literature review, a national online survey of youth workers and action research conducted with three youth services, examines how youth workers can play a role in supporting young people to develop media literacy skills associated with the safe and beneficial use of social networking sites. The report is online at: http://blogs.nya.org.uk/ywsn/final-report.html (Source: 'The Edge', n.23, autumn 2008, p.2.) --- Formula Y: A youth council development guide This guide has been developed for elected members, youth development officers, community development officers and other local government officers in Queensland who have an interest and responsibility in developing youth participation strategies and initiatives in local communities. The aim of the resource is to provide a practical framework in developing, delivering and evaluating a youth council or similar youth engagement mechanism. It has been drawn together from the knowledge, skills and experience of workers and researchers in the field of community and youth engagement. Like most youth engagement practices, the principles, tools and frameworks are transferable and may be useful to support young people's participation in other forums, programs and activities that you may implement for council and the community. The Local Government Association of Queensland, who developed Formula Y, say they are committed to ensuring that the guide is available and accessible to councils, communities and young people. The resource is available via the link, http://tinyurl.com/ct8hny or via the resource section of LGOnline at http://www.lgaq.asn.au Alternatively, contact LGAQ Youth Policy Project Officer, Rachael Uhr on phone (07) 3000 2238 or email
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--- NSW Fundraising Toolkit The Fundraising Toolkit New South Wales is a welcome addition to FIA’s Fundraising Toolkit series. The Fundraising Toolkit is produced by FIA in conjunction with The NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to help fundraisers and organisations in NSW conduct legally compliant and professional fundraising campaigns. There are 7531 deductible gift recipients (DGRs) in NSW, comprising 34.3% of the national total. The Fundraising Toolkit will be invaluable in assisting this large proportion of the nonprofit sector in its vital work. The Fundraising Toolkit is the resource manual for professional fundraisers and boards of nonprofit organisations in New South Wales. The Toolkit provides practical guidance on governance, risk management, financial management, models of fundraising, community gaming, marketing, benchmarking and evaluation. Fundraising legislation in each state in Australia is complex and varied, and the Toolkit assists nonprofit organisations in compliance with complex legislative requirements for NSW in clear and succinct language. The Toolkit is available free of charge online. link: http://www.fia.org.au/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Fundraising_Toolkit_NSW&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7007 ---- iPhone Application: The RIDBC Auslan Tutor The RIDBC Auslan Tutor is a portable video-based Australian Sign Language (Auslan) teaching resource developed specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch. It is designed for families of young deaf children to assist them to learn Auslan and promote early communication between parent and child. Over 500 signs are included. These signs were carefully chosen as those most needed by families in their interactions with, and teaching of, their young deaf children. Each sign has five corresponding entries which can be viewed on demand as often as necessary. The five entries are: - a photo of the handshape used to form the sign
- a video clip demonstrating the single sign
- a video clip of the sign used in a phrase
- a video clip of the phrase used in a sentence
- a text note about Auslan grammar that is pertinent to the sign, phrase, or sentence. These notes have been included to help the user gain a basic understanding of the grammatical structure of Auslan.
This clear and easy to follow hierarchy allows the user to build upon their previous knowledge as they move through the entries. The portability increases the amount of instruction the user can access, providing ongoing communication opportunities throughout the day. Key features: - Clear and easy to follow learning hierarchy
- Over 500 signs, each demonstrated multiple times in single words, phrases, and sentences
- Special Auslan grammar instruction for each sign
- Auslan Northern and Southern dialects
- Sign search
- Alphabet
- Numbers
- Categories
- Related signs
The RIDBC Auslan Tutor was developed by Auslan and education experts at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, with consultation from the Australian deaf community. ---- REFUGEE WEEK 2009 - June 14-20 The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) works with agencies around Australia to coordinate Refugee Week, a national celebration held each year since 1986. Each year, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day, being held in the week (Sunday to Saturday) which includes June 20. Refugee Week 2009 will be held from Sunday, June 14 to Saturday, June 20, 2009. The theme for 2009 is 'Freedom from Fear'. Applying for a NSW small grant for your event To encourage community groups and organisations to hold events and functions during Refugee Week, the Refugee Council of Australia and the NSW Refugee Week Committee will be offering a limited number of small grants of $250 and $500 each. These grants are made possible through the generous support of the NSW Community Relations Commission. Applications must be emailed to
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by 29 April 2009. For more information and to apply for a grant, click here. ---- Kids speak out about mobile phones In 2007, the NSW Commission for Children and Young People with the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney, surveyed and spoke with more than 1,500 children and young people in Years 6 and 9 across NSW to learn more about how mobile phones fit into their lives. We wanted to understand the impact mobiles have on children and young people's relationships, consumer habits and the importance of mobile ownership in their lives. We found that mobile phones support kids by helping them to be independent. Mobiles also help kids organise their daily lives, support their relationships including family relationships when parents are separated, provide entertainment, and help them feel safer. Link: Ask The Kids Report - Kids speak out about mobile phones Download the report: Kids speak out about mobile phones (pdf file) ---- Shalom Darren Wright Youth and Children's Ministry Worker Riverina Presbytery, UCA web: http://www.riverinayouth.net email:
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mobile: 0438380007 office: 0269719657 post: PO Box 8637, Kooringal, NSW, 2650. "It's what they need to hear at the dole office and in the bank, in the staff room and at the plant. It's the Chinese Whisper that needs to be passed gently from mouth to ear. That each and every individual on the face of the globe is called, chosen, their life is marked, their name is known. They exist in the mind of God." |
Resources & Toolkit 
