Transcript Slide 1
Quality in Action
Building Deep and Sustained Relationships with Young People
December 1, 2010 Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota 1
Webinar Logistics
April Riordan , Director of Training and Community Partnerships
Asking Questions & Sharing Comments During the Webinar
1.
“Raise your hand” & MPM Organizers will unmute you 2.
Or, type questions (and comments) in the question/answer section and submit; we will respond directly to you or possibly share your question with all attendees
When unmuted, please monitor your background noise
Nancy Tellett-Royce
Senior Consultant, Search Institute 3
External Assets
Support Empowerment Boundaries and Expectations Constructive Use of Time 4
Internal Assets
Commitment to Learning Social Competencies Positive Values Positive Identity 5
What is a Spark?
A special quality, skill, or interest that lights us up and that we are passionate about. Something that comes from inside of us, and when we express it, it gives us joy and energy.
It’s our very essence, the thing about us that is “good and beautiful, and useful to the world.” 6
Nature, ecology, the environment Animal Welfare Athletics Leading Helping, serving, volunteering Reading Spirituality or Religion Creative Arts Committed to living in a specific way (with joy, passion, caring, etc.) Learning a subject matter like Science or History
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Search Institute’s Research
Gallup Poll of 2,000 12 to 17-year-olds and 2,000 of their parents
Online Poll conducted by Louis Harris polling firm with 1,000 11 to 17-year-olds
Interviews with 405 teens, ages 15-17
Continued assessment in individual communities
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Three Types of Sparks
Teens generally named three types of sparks:
Something they are good at – a talent or skill
Something they care deeply about – such as the environment or serving their community
A quality they know is special – caring for others or being a friend
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Results from Sparks Research
When youth know their spark and have several adults who support their spark, they are more likely to:
Have a sense of purpose
Be socially competent and physically healthy
Volunteer to help others
Have higher grades in school and better attendance
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Results from Sparks Research
Young people who know their spark and have several adults who support their spark are less likely to:
Experience depression
Engage in acts of violence toward others
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Sparks Most Cited
Athletics
Creative arts Nature, ecology, the environment
Learning a subject matter like science or history Helping, serving, volunteering
Leading Spirituality or religion
Reading
Committed to living in a specific way (with joy, passion, caring, etc.)
Animal welfare
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How many teenagers have sparks?
69% 31% Say They Do NOT Have a Spark Say They HAVE a Spark
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The Challenge for Caring Adults
Percentage of teenagers who understand and seek spark Percentage who can clearly name their spark 62% 100% Percentage with spark and spark champions 37%
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The Critical Role of Mentors
Only 37 % can identify adults who know and support their spark. Mentors can play an important role in increasing this.
All young people should have an adult who: 1.
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sees their spark affirms that spark helps them explore their spark 15
Maximize Your Impact – MPM Mentor Training
Build longer, stronger relationships
• • • Focus on what is strong not what is wrong Pay attention to what mentees would like for themselves – not just what we think they need Teach and model skills to help young people carry their baggage better 16
Sparks in Action
My mentee’s goal is to become a famous singer… however, she can’t carry a tune at all! 17
Talking with a Child About Sparks
Watch for signs of sparks -
“You really seem to enjoy…”
Share your own sparks -
“When I was your age, I was passionate about…”
Ask open-ended questions, and then listen –
“What do you think your spark is?”
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Spark Champions Can …
Affirm the spark Encourage its expression Model the spark Provide opportunities to express it Run interference and help eliminate obstacles Teach or mentor Show up (at recitals, games, performances, play, reading, contests) 19
Sparks in Action
I’m having a hard time connecting with my mentee. We don’t seem to have anything to talk about and he doesn’t share any ideas with me about things he would like to do when we are together. 20
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The Seven Essential Questions
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What is your spark?
When and where do you show your spark?
Who knows your spark?
Who helps support your spark?
What gets in your way?
How can I help?
How can you use your spark to make our world better?
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Tips for Sparks Champions
Sparks can change over time Young people need multiple champions; some to cheer, some to teach Expect “ups and downs” in the conversations A skill is not automatically a spark Our spark may not be our work 22
Featured Resources
Sparks: How Parents Can Ignite the
Hidden Strengths of Teenagers by Peter L Benson
www.IgniteSparks.org
resources Download more
www.at15.com
Youth-oriented resources based on Search Institute’s work
www.search-institute.org Search Institute’s web site and on-line catalog
www.parentfurther.com
resources for parents Tons of useful
Resources
MPM Training
www.mpmn.org/traininginstitute
Web sites & PDFs
www.delicious.com/traininginstitute
This presentation & others
www.slideshare.net/traininginstitute
Thank You!
Next Quality in Action webinar is January 5, 2011; 12:00 – 1:00 pm CDT
National Mentoring Month/Mentor Recruitment Tips & Resources