 |
 |
Upcoming events
January 12, 2012
12:15-1:30pm
Mental Health Training Series Luncheon
Topic: AD/HD
Pre-registration required, space limited
All Great KIDS-sponsored training requires pre-registration. Click on the training link to learn how to register for each event.
View Past E-Newletters
Welcome to issue three of the Great KIDS make Great COMMUNITIES e-newsletter! In this issue:
Coordinator's Corner
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012! Did you make your new year's resolution yet? Did you break it yet? If we are being totally honest, I have never been someone that has made New Year's resolutions. Maybe it was that, from early on, I noticed how marketers took advantage of people's New Year's resolutions. Although I didn't know Dr. Walsh then, even as a child, I knew that there was something a little funny, and a little "off," about the dramatic increase in the number of weight-loss products, home gym equipment, sales on full-year memberships to fitness centers, and anti-smoking products advertisements that showed up on television starting January 1st. Dr. Walsh (who, if you don't know, was the author of our "Say Yes to No" and "MediaWise" materials), could probably have a long discussion about this phenomena, but (for once!) I'm not going to delve into that right now! Suffice it to say, for whatever reason, I just don't make New Year's resolutions.
However, one of our former Conference on Youth speakers, Tim Elmore, talks about New Year's resolutions he made for 2010 and the process by which he establishes his goals, or resolutions. You can read his original blog article here. Since I read the article, I've been pondering his set of resolutions and "personal growth plan," and in particular, his decision to read two books a month. I really enjoy reading, but for me, its one of those things that is easy to put aside and "get to whenever," which frequently turns into "never." I read, but not as much as I would like. In the Great KIDS office, I am literally surrounded with books, great books on youth development topics, strategies for working with young people, ideas that deserve inclusion into presentations, etc. When I do open one of these books, I almost always say: "Why didn't I read this before?" Yet, there are still a number of books on these shelves I just "haven't gotten to yet."
Well, no more! I'm taking a lesson from Tim Elmore, and this year, I am incorporating reading two books a month into my routine. First up, Deep Brain Learning by former Conference on Youth speaker Dr. Larry Brendto, and his colleagues Dr. Martin Mitchell and Dr. Herman McCall. After that, the book From Rage to Hope by another former Conference on Youth speaker, Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, has been calling my name from the top shelf for some time.
I'd love to have you join me on this reading journey. Together, we can be role models for students by modeling Asset 25: Reading for Pleasure. We have lots of books available for you to borrow from the Great KIDS library. Our website has a list of the books available, or just drop by the Great KIDS office (second floor of the Allen County Courthouse) and pick one out. Just be sure to return it when you are done, so someone else can read it after you. Of course, if you see me, make sure you ask "What are you reading?"
Until next time,
Megan Kelly
Great KIDS Coordinator
Speaker Spotlight
|
|
Mike Talbott, Allen Coutny Director, Purdue Extension Service/4-H |
In 2001, Purdue Extension Services/Allen County 4-H Director Mike Talbott presented at the 12th Annual Conference on Youth. His presentation "Positive Youth Development: An Introduction to the 40 Assets" was instrumental in spreading information about the 40 Developmental Assets, which was then a relatively new concept to Allen County. It is hard to believe, but the 2001 gathering marked just the fourth year the Conference on Youth focused on Assets. Mike did a stellar job introducing the Developmental Assets, and discussing how youth workers could build Assets in the lives of young people at work, at home, and in the community.
Mike is a stellar Asset Builder and has been a leader in youth development in Allen County. For over thirty years, Mike has led Purdue Extension Services/Allen County 4-H with distinction. Mike was a key leader in developing and running the Allen County United Youth Summit, a one-day, service learning seminar for middle and high school students which ran for five years. Mike is a passionate "4-H'er," leading staff and volunteers in the year-round activities of the Allen County 4-H program. Students in 4-H attend "club" events, learn about leadership, develop skills, and complete projects such as photography, gardening, baking, woodwork and more. Some young people even raise and train livestock and companion animals. Many young people enter their projects and animals into the annual Allen County 4-H Fair, which Mike has much responsibility for coordinating. (Mark your calendars, the 2012 fair will be July 24-29.) The fair is a labor of love for Mike and his staff, who spend more hours than can be counted at the fairgrounds prior to, during, and after the event. On top of all of his responsibilities, Mike has been a faithful member of the Great KIDS Community Advisory Board, making speaker suggestions, helping with conference and event planning and helping us with critical thinking for continual improvement.
Mike announced his retirement from Purdue Extension Services/Allen County 4-H, and December 29, 2011 was his last "official" working day. Being as active as he is, we know Mike is sure to have a full retirement schedule... but perhaps a little more time built into it for watching his favorite team (the Purdue Boilermakers, of course!), play. We wish Mike all the best and thank him for his service, not only to Great KIDS, but to the community. Mike, you have made Allen County a better place.
 |
Have you read Dr. Peter Benson's Parent, Teacher, Mentor, Friend? We picked up this book at the 2010 Search Institute Big Tent Conference, where our Coordinator was presenting a session about Great KIDS. This book was initially recommended by the Search Institute librarian as a "airplane book," meaning, a book that is easy enough to digest during your next flight. Since the conference was in Houston, and indeed, there would be an upcoming flight back to Allen County, the book was purchased. True to the librarian's word, the book was a good read for the flight.
Dr. Benson, whose personal stories are interspersed throughout the book with tales from other asset-builders, has excitement for the future of young people and the different adults can make in their lives. Dr. Benson provides examples of ways adults, through their relationships with young people can build assets, encourage a spark, and make a difference. "Relationships the oxygen of human development," he says. "Small actions and simple words can make all the difference in the world." Dr. Benson walks the reader through actions that impact the lives of young people, from thirty-second interactions with a passing youth, to life-long relationships and everything in between. He offers sage advice to potential asset-builders with humor, including six ways to "avoid being creepy."
Dr. Benson died this year, just before the Annual Conference on Youth. Great KIDS had contracted with Dr. Benson to be one of next year's conference speakers. While we won't be able to bring him to Allen County, and will miss his presence at our conference, we can hear from his heart in Parent, Teacher, Mentor, Friend. Great KIDS has this book available for loan from our library, or feel free to purchase your own copy from the Search Institute.