Young People For 2011 Regional Trainings | Philadelphia – Chicago – Tallahassee – Los Angeles
YP4 2011-2012 West Coast Fellows About the Regional Trainings During the summer of 2011, YP4 implemented four regional trainings across the country, providing opportunities for 134 new Fellows from across the country to convene in their regions for an intensive weekend of leadership development, skills-based trainings, and issue-based trainings. Trainings were hosted in Philadelphia, PA (June 16-19), Chicago, IL (July 14-17), Tallahassee, FL (July 28-31), and Los Angeles (August 11-14), and provided Fellows with an introduction to progressive values; power, privilege, and oppression; personal story telling, and more. In addition, issue area experts from across the regions were brought in to train the Fellows on issues ranging from reproductive justice to immigration reform. The regional trainings also provided YP4 with an opportunity to reengage with local progressive partners and to forge new relationships across the country. In addition to serving as trainers for various sessions, local partners in Tallahassee provided free training space. Over the summer, YP4 was able to work with nine new partners doing social justice work on the local, state, and national levels.
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Overview of Training Arc In order to set Fellows up for success in the upcoming Fellowship year, YP4 staff worked closely with skilled Alumni Board members to update and enhance the existing regional training curriculum. Updates to curriculum were based on feedback collected from Fellows, alumni, and staff. The regional trainings continue to utilize personal storytelling as a theme for the weekend, encouraging trainers, YP4 staff, YP4 Alumni Board members, and Fellows to think critically about their personal story and connect it to their work in compelling ways. Each regional training kicks off with a day filled with reflection and assessment; to begin this work, Fellows engage in an activity called “I am from…,” a creative exercise that provides the framework for students to share important experiences and people from their lives with each other, and begin to reflect on their impact in their social justice work. This exercise is followed by an Introduction to Progressive Values training that explores what it means to hold progressive values. Fellows are then asked during Telling Your Story to practice telling a concise yet genuine personal story that connects the experiences and people that influenced their work with their progressive values. The remainder of the first day is reserved for Fellows to reflect on how power, privilege, and oppression interact with their lives, in their communities, and their work. The Analyzing Power Dynamics session is led by YP4 staff and Alumni Board members, who create safe spaces to explore these topics through the lens of racism and working towards racial justice. During the final training session, Fellows learn about Intersectionality and have a discussion on how their issues, identities, and social institutions relate to one another. To close each day at the regional training, staff lead Fellows in a Reflections and Evaluations session, during which Fellows are encouraged to share their experience of the training with each other, appreciate people in the room who have contributed to that experience, and give the YP4 team feedback on the training. During the second day of training, fellows are pushed to connect their personal stories to a broader movement for social justice. The first session for the day is Identifying Root Causes, which introduces the root cause tree as a tool to help Fellows visually analyze the symptoms, institutional causes, and underlying systemic causes of an issue. Trainers then lead the Fellows in a workshop titled Creating Your Vision, during which Fellows practice visioning for social justice and beginning to articulate their own visions for change. Rounding out the YP4 curriculum, YP4 Director Rebecca Thompson leads the Fellows through a dynamic session on Professional Development, Networking, and Building
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Strategic Relationships. In order to better support Fellows’ local work, the regional trainings provided opportunities for YP4 to collaborate with local progressive partners and alumni. In the afternoon on Saturday, Fellows are able to choose skill and issue breakouts to attend, all presented by staff from partner organizations. Through their sessions, allied organizations have the opportunity to build relationships with the Fellows and strengthen a regional support network for their work. Some session topics include immigration reform, reproductive justice, planning and executing events, and social media for social change. Those organizations included:
Center for Progressive Leadership Harm Reduction Coalition Immigrant Youth Justice League Little Village Environmental Justice Organization Refuge House Let’s Raise a Million Racebending.com Sex Workers Outreach Project-Los Angeles Communities for a Better Environment Reproductive Justice Coalition of Los Angeles Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
The regional trainings close with an explanation of the expectations for Fellows throughout the Fellowship year, evaluations of the weekend, and a few final team-building exercises to close out our experience and encourage a longer-term investment in building relationships among the class. See Appendix: Standard Regional Training Agenda for a full sample agenda. Vote 2012 Strategy YP4 worked closely with writer, activist, and organizer Charlene Carruthers to develop a session for the 2011 regional trainings called Building Power to Win. Through this session, Charlene took the opportunity to connect with, train, and engage the incoming Fellowship class in YP4’s vision to engage young progressive in electoral organizing. The session provided a space for Fellows to think about what role power plays in their work and how they conceptualize winning and losing on their issues. Charlene found in her sessions that there is an overwhelming interest in broader civic engagement work across the Fellowship class, and more specifically, in voterelated work. Most Fellows has engaged in some way in the 2010 election cycle and an even larger group indicated that they planned to engage in the 2012 election cycle. Using these sessions as the foundation for programming, Charlene will be working with YP4 over the upcoming months to develop an electoral organizing curriculum and program model to create a support system that is responsive to the unique challenges and needs identified by Fellows themselves.
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Open Spaces Time in each of the training agendas was made to accommodate Open Spaces, which are workshop sessions that are completely Fellow-initiated, organized, and facilitated. Open Spaces allow for fellows to connect and collaborate on the issues that they care about most. A few of the sessions that were organized by this year’s Fellows:
Using Inclusive Language LGBTQ Services and Resources Body Positivity and Body Image Activism Immigration Politics and Policies Sex and Sexuality Double Consciousness: Beyond “The Souls of Black Folk” Using Spoken Word for Yourself, Your Issue
YP4 staff members are working with the facilitators of Open Spaces to create opportunities for follow-up from these sessions to encourage the dialogue to continue. Alumni Role One tangible outcome of YP4’s regional model was the creation of new opportunities for alumni and partners to engage with the program on a local level. In 2010, YP4 engaged 64 percent – or 540 from a base of 850 alumni – in our alumni network. So far this year we have engaged 334 alumni in recruitment, selection, training, and as potential mentors for the 2011 class. This year we gave alumni the opportunity to write welcome messages to the incoming class of Fellows. Alumni participating in this initiative were able to connect with Fellows prior to the training, answer any questions they may have about the Fellowship program, and begin forming lifelong relationships around issues, expertise, and location. Additionally, members of our alumni network hosted alumni chats to help Fellows familiarize themselves with Young People For additionally providing the opportunity for alumni and Fellows to begin building long-term relationships across issue area. In April 2010, we held a board meeting for Alumni Board members here in DC that also provided us with an opportunity to train the board members on our curriculum for the regional trainings. Furthermore, the weekend served as a train the trainers for the regional trainings. Accordingly, 12 Alumni Board members were trained on 6 areas of curriculum and were able to comfortably lead sessions at the regional trainings. At the regional trainings Alumni Board also acted as support staff and provided supplementary trainings. Alumni Board members at the regional trainings contributed a great deal to sense of regional solidarity, investment, and support. To open the regional trainings YP4 invited YP4 alumni from the Fellowship Program, Leadership Academy, and Front Line Leaders Academy as well as the broader Youth Leadership and PFAW networks to join Fellows at an opening reception. The receptions acted as a snapshot in time
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opportunity for alumni to connect with Fellows to build relationships as well as share expertise and resources. Alumni from all years attended the four opening receptions, a total of 85 attendees from the alumni network. At the close of the summer alumni from every year of YP4’s programming had attended a regional training reception many who will continue to engage with the program through the mentorship component. Throughout the weekend twenty-nine alumni profiles were displayed on a screen at the front of the training space as a way for Fellows to familiarize themselves with the dynamic and diverse alumni within the YP4 network. These strategically chosen profiles highlighted alumni who are active change-makers in the progressive movement and potential resources for the Fellows as they implement their Blueprints for Social Justice. Additionally, alumni helped act as local guides to the cities, networked with the fellows at alumni dinners, and acted as support staff throughout the weekend. Alumni hosted a total of 17 dinners over the summer. The presence of local alumni began building local connections and networks within our training cities. A panel of alumni closed out the programming of the regional trainings. A total of 20 alumni participated on the panels. Young People For invited back notable 2005-2010 alumni to share their experience with Young People For, the value of the network, and how the organization shaped their current leadership within the progressive movement. Fellows were able to ask alumni questions about their Blueprints for Social Justice, self-care, building partnerships, running for office, starting a non-profit, and starting a career in the progressive movement. The alumni panel helped fellows to think about long term goals and the potential resources that can result from continued engagement with YP4 post-fellowship. Leaving the training alumni and fellows already had scheduled follow-up meetings with others living, working, and attending school in their communities. With the support of an energized alumni board comprised of twelve 2005-2010 YP4 fellows, we have been able to also completely revamp YP4 curriculum and trainings, begin building local networks across the country, and have even implemented a small donor alumni giving program that raised 3,000 through call-time at the April Board meeting. PFAWF Program Collaboration YP4 worked closely with People For the American Way Foundation and YP4’s sister program, the Young Elected Officials Network during both the planning and implementation of the 2011 regional trainings. During the Northeast Regional Training held in Philadelphia we were joined by YEO’s Ezra Temko (FLLA alumnus and Delaware City Councilman); Josh Young (Caln Township Commissioner); and Tony Payton Jr. (Pennsylvania State Representative). Elected at just 25 years old, Payton spoke with the fellows about the opportunities and challenges of his campaign
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and being a young elected official; examples of legislation that he has supported including the Pennsylvania DREAM Act; and why it’s important for them to pursue careers in public service. During the Midwest Regional Training in Chicago, Alyssa Hernandez (Rich Township School Board) met with fellows to discuss her dual role as a school board member and student at DePaul University. Elected at just 18 years old, Alyssa provided the fellows with the inspiration to pursue elected office at any age. The Midwest Fellows also had the opportunity to engage with the Young Elected Officials Network and PFAW Director of Youth Leadership Programs, Commissioner Andrew Gillum (Tallahassee City Commission). Also hosting the Southern Regional Training in his hometown, Gillum engaged with the Southern Fellows, speaking with them about his role as a student organizer at Florida A & M University, his election to the city commission at just 23 years old, and some of the legislation he has introduced and supported as a legislator including a unanimously passed non-discrimination policy. During the opening reception, Fellows were also greeted by Representative Alan Williams (Florida State Representative) who provided remarks about his experiences as a young legislator. During the last regional training of the summer in Los Angeles, we were joined by a number of PFAW board members and supporters during the opening reception. Hosted at the home of longtime PFAW supporter Dean Hansell, the reception was co-hosted and attended by a number of LA area board members including David Altschul, Lara Bergthold, Tracey Edmonds, James Hormel, Delores Huerta, Howard Klein, PFAW Founder Norman Lear, PFAW President Michael Keegan, Seth Macfarlane, Cookie Parker, Deborah Rappaport, and Margery Tabankin. During the reception the Fellows were delighted to meet and hear from Norman Lear who spoke about being unapologetically progressive and the importance of young activists. Fellows also heard from movement icon Delores Huerta. Huerta spoke with the fellows about her work with César Chávez and the farmworkers movement in the 1960’s. In addition to speaking at the opening reception, Ms. Huerta also returned to the training the following day to take questions and pictures with numerous fellows. Closing out the weekend, we were joined by new YEO and Huerta protégé, Rudy Salas (Bakersfield City Councilman). He spoke about the challenges of running for office in a conservative district, the ins and outs of his campaign, and about the importance of young people challenging the status quo. Collaborating with the PFAW networks provided us with an opportunity to not only strengthen our organizational partnerships but also provided our Fellows with an opportunity to understand the intersectionality of our collective work. Evaluations of the Trainings Quantitative evaluations of the trainings collected from the fellows indicate that they were a major success. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 indicating unsatisfactory and 5 indicating excellent, all YP4specific training sessions were scored an average of 4.1 or above. Trainings led by partner organizations were scored an average of 3.75 or above. Logistics for the event (travel and lodging, food, training agenda, etc.) were ranked an average of 4.1 or above. Most importantly, fellows ranked their interactions with staff, Alumni Board members, and each other at an average score of 4.14 or better.
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YP4 is committed to continuous and responsive evaluation in all of our work this year. Feedback received in fellows’ evaluations was used by staff and alumni to inform changes in logistical arrangements, edits made to the curriculum, and adjustments in the training agenda for subsequent trainings. “I enjoyed the ways the trainings forced me to acknowledge my own prejudices and privilege.” “I couldn’t have realized my potential and the network of people around me without this training!” “This opportunity...is what I need and what I never expected to receive.” “YP4 is a phenomenal program.” “This was the most powerful training of my life.” “I leave here more confident in myself, my values, and my goals, and I am so excited to continue on with the program.” “I am so enthused to get to work and become more involved in progressive issues on campus and in my community. I really believe now I have the chance to play an important role in the movement.” “I think this opportunity really opens doors for non-traditional students like myself.” “I’ve done a few other programs like this and this is by far the best!” What’s Next The months following the regional trainings will be spent engaging in one-on-one mentorship sessions and leadership development activities. Each fellow will be matched with a YP4 mentor for the duration of the program. In addition to YP4 staff and Alumni Board members, YP4 hopes to engage at least 20 additional alumni and partners in the coaching process. Last year we launched a mentorship program for YP4 that matches Fellows with alumni, partners and progressive activists from our network across the country: 27 alumni and partners mentored 60 fellows in 2010 when we had 52 applicants for mentors; this year we have already received 116 applications for mentors. Alumni will use their experience in the Fellowship Program as the underpinning of the support they can lend to the program and as a mechanism to evaluate the success of the new model. Mentors will be paired with a fellow based on skill set, issue area, and regional proximity. The Mentorship Program will provide Fellows the occasion to set goals with community leaders and provide a valuable relationship to make those goals achievable in the context of their long-term career goals. This program will run from September to December, with mentorship resuming again after the YP4 National Summit in January 2012.
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Appendix: Standard Regional Training Agenda NOTE: The actual agenda for a given training may have deviated from this standard agenda, to accommodate special guests or logistical challenges in a given location. THURSDAY ALL DAY 4:00pm-5:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Fellows, Alumni, and Staff Arrive Orientation and Welcome Opening Reception
FRIDAY 8:00am-8:30am 8:30am-8:45am 8:45am-9:30am 9:30am-10:30am 10:30am-10:45am 10:45am-12:15pm 12:15pm-1:45pm 1:45pm-3:15pm 3:15pm-3:30pm 3:30pm-5:30pm 5:30pm-5:45pm 5:45pm-7:15pm 7:15pm-7:45pm 7:45pm
Breakfast Opening Remarks Introductions and Group Norms I am from… Activity Break Introduction to Progressive Values Lunch Telling Your Story Break Analyzing Power Dynamics: Power, Privilege, Oppression, and You Break Intersectionality Reflections and Evaluations Dinner On Your Own
SATURDAY 8:00am-8:30am 8:30am-10:00am 10:00am-11:00am 11:00am-11:15am 11:15am-12:45pm 12:45pm-2:15pm 2:15pm-3:45pm 3:45pm-4:00pm 4:00pm-5:30pm 5:30pm-5:45pm 5:45pm-6:45pm 6:45pm-7:15pm 7:15pm
Breakfast Identifying Root Causes Creating Your Vision Break Building Power to Win Professional Development, Networking, and Building Strategic Relationships (Lunch Session) Issues and Skills Trainings, Session One Break Issues and Skills Trainings, Session Two Break Open Spaces Reflections and Evaluations Dinner On Your Own
SUNDAY 7:45am-9:00am 9:00am-9:30am 9:30am-10:00am 10:00am-11:30am
Alumni Panel (Breakfast Session) What’s Next? Class Photo Appreciations and Closing Remarks
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