Are you Leading Youth or are you a Youth Leader??

In the past few months I posted a lot of tweets/status messages around what I deem individuals who “lead youth” and not youth leaders. Some friends have echoed my sentiments while others have been less then supportive. In this political climate we need usher out those that “lead the youth” and assist actual youth leaders.

The difference between the two in my view is somewhat complex so I’ll do my best to explain the difference. Those that “lead youth” are usually not chosen by the same youth driven population, but rather are chosen by their supposed “birthright”, whereas youth leader start out as community activists then they showcase exceptional leadership skills that propel them to leadership positions within youth driven organizations and programs. Secondly those that “lead youth” talk constantly of how long they have been active in youth driven organizations when in actuality it would serve them and the organization they represent better if they discuss what new programs and membership driven events they created.

Thirdly youth leaders stand firmly behind what they believe in and don’t hide behind any kind of alias, when they have an opportunity to give their opinion. Those that “lead youth” put politics before programming, and denounce and degrade actual youth leaders, when they too could be working hard to activate other youth in youth driven organizations. That’s bring up another point, those that “lead youth” focus on activating via checkbooks and not activating via the mind, what I mean is yes youth driven organizations are sustained by fund raising, but even more important is a membership that gains knowledge from attending events and programs that stimulate the mind to the point that those events are not easily forgotten.

Lastly those that “lead youth” create splinter youth driven organizations solely on the basis of having a “failing out” with actual youth leader’s and rather then building bridges and a common ground to better sustain the youth movement, they continually dissolve any level of connectivity to that other youth driven organization. In conclusion, its really simple anyone within an earshot of this message has to decide are they going to “lead youth” or are they going to buckle down, get your hands dirty and be a youth leader!