myLEADER

       The purpose of this program is to provide training and mentoring opportunities for youth and students who want to take a more active role in their communities and schools while providing hands-on learning experiences that develop self-advocacy, self-determination, civil rights advocacy, independent decision-making, career development and leadership skills.

     This is once in a lifetime opportunity for you to learn and be exposed to leadership, governance & politics. Apply Now! Twenty (20) emerging youth & student leaders will be selected.  (Activities will include Leadership training & seminars, Meetings with high ranking-officials or Leaders, Army/Combat Training, Exchange Program local & abroad, internships in Government offices & Educational trips).

Partner Agencies: Voices of America, Denver Youth, Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO), Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State, Young southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) & NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP 2014

           

         The Local Government of Mansalay through its Youth & Sports Development Committee in partnership with National Youth Commission, Philippine Army 4ID, Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro and Keep Hope Alive will conduct the first ever Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) for local youth leaders, members of Barangay Task Force on Youth Development, student/campus leaders, community and sectoral youth representatives on August 15-17, 2014 at Royal Splash Resort Complex, San Antonio Gloria Oriental Mindoro with the theme that focuses on “youth capacity building, citizenship/nation building, disaster preparedness, leadership and governance”.

            The activity is in pursuance to IRR of the Republic Act 10632,Rule 5 Section 2released by theCommission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)which states that the 10% SK fund shall be used solely by the barangay for projects (1) Youth Development Programs and Projects such as, but not limited to Capacity-Building (e.g. Leadership Training/Youth Camp Program, Employability Skills Training Value Formation, Citizenship/Nation-Building Seminar)among others. Barangay officials, youth organizations/sectors and educational institutions are hereby encourage to allow their youth leaders and task force members to participate in the abovementioned activity –where young leaders will learn about Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and explore different strategies as a tool to inspire change in a variety of development areas, identify and problem-solve barriers to implementing leadership, social development and disaster preparedness programs in their organizations/communities. 244 youth leaders, Task Force on Youth Development members, Student Supreme Government Officers, youth volunteers and Barangay Officials attended the whole event.

          Personally, I would like to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who came out, supported and volunteered for the success of Youth Leadership Camp 2014!

          More than 200 youth leaders, Task Force on Youth Dev’t members, Phil. Armies & LGU/Brgy. Officials gathered in 3-day Youth Leadership Camp to forge a new vision for Mansalay.

The youths (15-30 years old), who came from diverse age groups, sectors and organizations were there to practice teamwork and cooperation, learn about governance, capacity building, DRRM, reproductive health, diversity of their peers, and develop the leadership skills they will need to be the future

leaders.

            The 2014 Youth Leadership Camp focuses on Capacity & Nation Building, Leadership & Governance & Disaster Risk Reduction Managament. Young leaders learned from our resource speakers and facilitators who specialize in youth experiential peace building, leadership and

local governance. Special thanks to Commissioner Perci Cendana of National Youth Commision. #YLC2014 #MansalayYouth #kabataan #PagAsaPagbabago

Servant or Leader?

“Servant Leaders bring in the best talent in the business in order to accomplish their goal, even when that means they may be upstaged.” (russcanto)

As humans, we naturally organize people into two categories: servants and masters, or leaders and followers. But there is a third category that Jesus asks us to participate in… many knows it as the “servant leader”.

I’ve had small bits of leadership during my life, and this is never something that I’ve thought deeply about. Servant leading? Yeah, okay, totally. I’ve heard that term since I was a kid, in Sunday school and on mission trips.

But in the recent future I’ve suddenly begun to have real leadership positions… I have people working under me, and I have to lead WELL… and I’m glad that there is a learning curve, because I have a lot of work to do! I like to lead, but I’m not always necessarily GOOD at leading, I’ve found.

And then today I stumble upon John 13. (Well it wasn’t too much of a stumble, really - since I’m reading through John)

This is the chapter of the Bible where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Wow. It’s kind of crazy. He is the leader of ALL, and yet he’s stooping to do something dirty and menial, but he’s doing it FOR THEM. He isn’t too much of a leader to serve. Because the right kind of leader is one who serves. Yes, a leader is needed to stand up and give instructions and organize and hold people to deadlines and all that… but there’s also this part of being a leader - a very important part - that included being willing to SERVE those who are following you. To be willing to do their jobs, or even jobs below what they do, in order to help them or care for them.

I think the idea of a servant leader is nice and idealistic, but it’s not often seen. Sure, there is the perfect model that Christ gave us, but where else do we see this being carried out?

The modern business world often promotes an, “ahead at any/all costs” mentality. The modern world of church leadership often values flash, numbers, and giving rather than substance, service, and sacrifice. Don’t even get me started on the modeling that occurs within Hollywood and those of fame and status.

When you become a leader, you get a whole lot more responsibility. You become partially responsible for those who are following you, or working for you. It’s easy to just get caught up with finishing your task, and forget about serving those you are working with. (Courtesy: Natalie of http://coffeetimewithgod.tumblr.com/)

And I’m determined to learn how to NOT do that. Like Jesus.

“Whenever we have an opportunity or responsibility to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of others, the first choice we are called to make is whether to see the moment through the eyes of self-interest or for the benefit of those we are leading.”

—           Ken Blanchard