Yes, we completed our BREATHE Journey that we started in June. Our Celebration! was a fun time. The girls had a chance to reconnect with each other, make thank you cards, yes, the attitude of gratitude was prevalent and in general, just have a good time.
We also did some work! We finished the AFFIRM and each girl had a chance to write a personal "I am an Heir Apparent" statement (from the guide) to tuck into their Journey book. And each of the girls had a chance to randomly choose another girl, and think about what flair this girl brought to the Journey. Each girl made their award at our closing ceremony.
One group wrote a play, "The Wizard of O2", and acted out the scenes, complete with costumes to talk about the importance of NOT polluting. The costumes were a hoot! And the girls worked really well together, helping each other and prompting lines. Even Rizzy got into the spirit of the play! She was the gatekeeper to the Wizard, and she had the line, "Well, whaddaya want?" Which she and the girls practiced many, many times! Their presentation talked about how to get the video "out there" and into multiple hands. Posting on FaceBook pages (every adult's!) and on the GSOC page are first up. And then sending it to their friends and family members, etc. It will be fun to see how many "likes" they get, and from where. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liC9z--R6qY&feature=channel&list=UL
Our second group chose smoking and air pollution as their topic. Two girls wrote a coloring book story, and the other girls drew pictures to support the story. We got it in order (quite an ordeal for me!) and we printed up several hundred. The girls then chose where to make their presentations about how harmful smoking is to classrooms of younger kids, church groups, Girls Inc. And they were able to go back and see if they had made a difference.
One of the tough challenges for the girls in doing these TAPs, is not seeing direct changes of behavior in those they served. But they can at least see indicators that their message is reaching a wider group. I think that this is one thing that I'd like to work on for the next series I help in: how to make the Action more robust? Extend the timeline of the series? Space out the meeting days more, so that there's time to see success? I hate dumping it back on the parents or leaders, especially in the fall, when everyone gets soooo busy.
Happy with how it went, but sure think we could help make it better! And for all of you thinking about doing a series, don't forget to have a GREAT co-chair! I worked with Anne Rizzacasa and she is FABULOUS! She just completed her Masters in Biology, and she's now working on her secondary school credential for MIDDLE SCHOOLERS! Not only is she learning all sorts of new things, but she is MORE than happy to try these new ideas out on the girls. Hats off to you, Science Girl!
I have to say, it is truly heartening to hear from leaders who have taken the Silver Award Training. Most are getting ready to move forward with their girls. Some are scared to try! And some just need a little push in the right direction.
I received an email from Michelle this week, saying her girls are ready to start the Silver Process, and could I remind her how we did the big white pages on the wall in training? I have to say, props to Barb Christenson who came up with this part of the training. It has been soooo well received! Here's what we do:
Barb used the list in the Red Cadette Girls Guide page 2 for the training:
1. Go on a Journey. Some of your girls did our Breathe series....
2.
Identify issues you care about: have them think about what issues are
important to them as an assignment.
(page 3 has a great chart. One
leader said she was going to have each of the girls bring in that page all
filled out. Or at least with the left hand column filled out. At the
meeting, you could have them whittle it down to 5 or 6? I don't know
how many girls are in your troop?)
--- Each of those issues goes on the top of a clean butcher paper.
The girls gather around which one they're interested in first, and fill
out info about the issue. Ex: literacy: teach kids how to read, set
up a tutoring program, etc. And then maybe have them move to their
second choice and add to what's already gone up. You can do another
rotation, if you want. Up to you and the girls.
--- Now, and this will be harder for the girls than it was for the
adults!, write down WHO you could partner with. What
agency/school/entity would have the group of people you want to help?
For literacy, it could be an after-school program? library? specific
class in a specific grade with a great teacher? If you have adults who are good coaches, and won't DO IT for the girls, maybe have them there as additional resources to prod the girls to think about resources.
I sense this could take a couple meetings to get through! Adults
can do it waaay faster!!! This is GREAT practice for them to learn some critical thinking and leadership skills, especially if they are going to go on Senior/Ambassador Journeys (especially Girltopia) and
ultimately, the Gold.
Wishing all of you only SUCCESS with the process and some GREAT Take Action Projects.
