2013 Youth Conference T-Shirt Design

Here is the t-shirt design we used for our stake youth conference this year:

 

We wanted there to be meaning behind the shirt. This is what we came up with...

• The mountain - represents the mountain of the lord/temple.
• Youth standing on top of the mountain - represents both the young men and young women.
• The tattered flag - represents what they stand for, personal title of liberty.
• The gear - though we stand firm in the gospel, we are always moving the work forward through service.
• ... or the sun - anchored in Christ, the son of God.

I loved that there were seniors involved in the process. We sat down and talked about what they wanted the design to look like, they sketched, changes were made, and eventually the final design was approved. 

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When it came time to pick out colors for the t-shirts, our senior co-chairs took the lead. They chose charcoal (for all the seniors), indigo blue (for all the adults), and pistachio, orchid, daisy, red, Carolina blue, jade dome (teal), tangerine, and ice grey for all the youth.

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A text went out Monday night encouraging all those who attended youth conference over spring break to wear their t-shirts to school on Tuesday. Tuesday, after school, one of the seniors come by my house and she was so proud of the t-shirts she helped design. As she should be! :)

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Kenneth Cope sporting one of our t-shirts. :)

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Build a Bridge to Their Hearts

I came across this article and thought I'd share. I absolutely love the message and envision some wonderful leadership training moments. :) Visit the link below for the complete article:
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RESOURCE
Taken from a timeless message for leaders of youth:
Building Bridges, Thomas S Monson, New Era, November 1985
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"Leaders of our young people fill a variety of roles. Some are trained executives and secretaries in the world of business, skilled physicians and nurses in the field of medicine, or competent teachers in the classrooms of learning. Others have studied sociology, psychology, languages, or history. Many are filling the vital role of homemaker. In reality, each is also engaged in the building trade. The product: building a bridge to the heart of a youth."

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How can we reach our youth?  I answer, “Build a bridge to their hearts.”

Mighty! Sports Day

Years ago, when I was a young woman, my friends and I lived for church ball.  The competition in our stake was fierce! We came up with the shout out, "SYB!" which meant "sacrifice your bodies". We would do anything it took to get to the ball, even if it meant getting hurt. Silly girls. :)

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My best friend through all these wonderful years was Kathy Smart. She and I lived and breathed sports. We thought we were pretty good, but the school coaches never seemed to see our potential. ;)  We tried out for the school teams to no avail. That is why church ball was so wonderful, for us. Our YW coaches were amazing and were some of greatest cheerleaders during those years.
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I am smiling right now, even giggling a little, with all the fun memories... such good memories. All of them!
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O Be Wise - Leadership Training

I love birds, but have never been drawn to owls until I saw this trio at our local TJMaxx.  So cute!  I had to take them home with me.  :)  For now they are nesting on top of our piano - reminding us to "See, Speak, and Hear No Evil."  But mainly just being cute.

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One night as I walked past the owls, inspiration took flight (because owls fly at night I suppose).  :)  I had read this talk, O Be Wise, from M. Russell Ballard.  Everything about the talk hooted, "Leadership Training" to me.  Here are just a few snippets from his talk (I suggest reading his complete talk to be fully inspired).  :)

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He suggests six ways we can serve both wisely and well.

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First, focus on people and principles—not on programs.

• One of the most important things we do through the gospel of Jesus Christ is to build people. Properly serving others requires effort to understand them as individuals—their personalities, their strengths, their concerns, their hopes and dreams—so that the correct help and support can be provided.
• Most routine information and coordination can now be handled through phone calls, e-mails, or regular mail so that agendas for council meetings and presidency meetings can focus on needs of the people.
• Our goal should always be to use the programs of the Church as a means to lift, encourage, assist, teach, love, and perfect people. “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). Programs are tools. Their management and staffing must not take priority over the needs of the people they are designed to bless and to serve.

Second, be innovative.

• As we work to magnify our callings, we should seek the inspiration of the Spirit to solve problems in ways that will best help the people we serve. We have handbooks of instruction, and their guidelines should be followed. But within that framework are substantial opportunities to think, to be creative, and to make use of individual talents. The instruction to magnify our callings is not a command to embellish and complicate them. To innovate does not necessarily mean to expand; very often it means to simplify.
• Being innovative also means that we do not have to be told everything we should do. The Lord said, “It is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant” (D&C 58:26). We trust you, ...to use inspiration. We trust that you will do so within the framework of Church policies and principles. We trust that you will be wise in counseling together to help build faith and testimony in the lives of those whom you serve.

Third, divide the work and delegate responsibility.

• There is a difference between being responsible for getting the work done and doing the work yourself. For example, gone should be the days when the elders quorum president feels he needs to personally finish the home teaching visits that others have missed. The same is true for Relief Society presidents with respect to visiting teaching. Not only is this unwise; it isn’t home or visiting teaching. Home teaching isn’t about numbers or reporting visits to a home; visits and numbers are just a measuring stick. Home teaching is about love of people and service to and watchcare over our Heavenly Father’s children.
• Assignments should be made, responsibilities should be delegated, and members should be allowed to fulfill their stewardship as best they can. Counsel, advise, persuade, motivate—but don’t do the work for them. Allow others to progress and grow, even if it means sometimes getting less-than-perfect results on the reports.

Fourth, eliminate guilt.

• We must always motivate through love and sincere appreciation, not by creating guilt. I like the thought “Catch others doing something right.”
• As mortals, we simply cannot do everything at once. Therefore we must do all things “in wisdom and order” (Mosiah 4:27). Often that will mean temporarily postponing attention to one priority in order to take care of another. Sometimes family demands will require your full attention. Other times professional responsibilities will come first. And there will be times when Church callings will come first. Good balance comes in doing things in a timely way and in not procrastinating our preparation or waiting to fulfill our responsibilities until the last minute.
• Beyond that we need to remember that Christ came to remove guilt by forgiving those who repent (see Alma 24:10). He came to bring peace to the troubled soul. “Peace I leave with you,” He said. “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Through the miraculous Atonement He urges us to “take my yoke upon you, … and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
• As the power of the Atonement begins to work in our lives, we come to understand that the Savior has already born the burden of our guilt. O that we may be wise enough to understand, to repent as necessary, and to let go of our guilt.

Fifth, we need to thoughtfully allocate our resources of time, income, and energy.

• I would like to let you in on a little secret. Some of you have already learned it. If you haven’t, it’s time you knew. No matter what your family needs are or your responsibilities in the Church, there is no such thing as “done.” There will always be more we can do. There is always another family matter that needs attention, another lesson to prepare, another interview to conduct, another meeting to attend. We just need to be wise in protecting our health and in following the counsel that President Hinckley has given often to just do the best that we can.
• The key, it seems to me, is to know and understand your own capabilities and limitations and then to pace yourself, allocating and prioritizing your time, your attention, and your resources to wisely help others, including your family, in their quest for eternal life.

Sixth, a word to you leaders about extending responsibilities to members and especially to recent converts.

• President Hinckley said that every new member of the Church needs a responsibility. Whatever responsibility may be extended should not overwhelm new members but should give them ample opportunity to become comfortable in the Church by learning its doctrine and by rubbing shoulders with friendly members. It should anchor them to the restored gospel through increasing their testimony and giving meaningful service.
• Brothers and sisters, may we focus on the simple ways we can serve in the kingdom of God, always striving to change lives, including our own. What is most important in our Church responsibilities is not the statistics that are reported or the meetings that are held but whether or not individual people—ministered to one at a time just as the Savior did—have been lifted and encouraged and ultimately changed. Our task is to help others find the peace and the joy that only the gospel can give them. In seven words, Jesus summarized how we can accomplish this. He said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

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(He then closes his talk with these words...)  Be wise with your families.  Be wise in fulfilling your Church callings.  Be wise with your time.  Be wise in balancing all of your responsibilities.  O be wise, my beloved brothers and sisters.  What can I say more?  May God bless us with wisdom to love His Son, Jesus Christ, and wisely help accomplish His work.  Amen

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LEADERSHIP TRAINING IDEAS

• You could break the training up into 6 mini lessons, allowing others to help in the training.
• If you choose to use this as a leadership training for your young women, maybe the Laurels could each be given an area to teach. Would be a great way to pass off a Personal Progress value or earn an Honor Bee.
• How about displaying a nest and/or tree limb on the table.  Adding the "6 wise owls" of leadership as they are discussed.

Inked Egg

from the talented Julie Q - The Orange Owl

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"THANK YOU" IDEA

If you happen to have a quest speaker this might make a nice "thank you" gift.  Isn't this CTR necklace from RingMasters adorable?  Engraved on the back is the scripture, “O be wise; what can I say more?” Jacob 6:12. 

Women’s 'O Be Wise' CTR Necklace

$14.95 from RingMasters

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REFRESHMENT IDEAS

Owl Cupcakes

I think this is the most adorable owl cupcake!

Maybe it's the keylime eyes.

idea found here

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Owl Cookies

...using a Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter.

There is also an example of one using a tulip-shaped cookie cutter.

So cute!

idea found here from The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle

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MISCELLANEOUS FINDS

3D Paper Owls

from Larissa Holland

printable template and easy to follow directions
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Toilet Paper Roll Owls
Fill 'em up with your favorite penny candies.
from Kerry's Paper Crafts

Cinco de Mayo - Leadership Training

I was going through some boxes the other day (looking for a can of turquoise spray paint - which I cannot find anywhere!) and came across a box labeled "fiesta!"  In it I found:  a couple sombreros, a music CD, fake mustaches, colorful tissue flowers, cactus picks, Mexican flags, bright yellow maracas, a couple backdrops (one of a mariachi band and the other a Spanish couple dancing), a stack of signs printed in Spanish, and a few handwritten notes.
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All these items were used a few years ago in a Leadership Training activity for our young women.  The activity just happened to fall on Cinco de Mayo, so in my planning I decided to build it around the fiesta theme.
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All the photos and files from the night with the young women were lost when my computer crashed and burned last year. (So many memories- photos and designs - were lost! Makes me want to cry, again.) Luckily, I posted this adorable picture of Robbie (he makes me smile!) from a family Cinco de Mayo celebration on FACEBOOK. The photo, as well as the handwritten notes I found, are helping jog my memory. :)
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PURPOSE

Emphasize good leadership qualities, build and strengthen relationships through fun group activities, and provide a cultural experience.

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INVITE

It was a simple invite:  "You're invited to a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! Young Women Leadership Training on ____________."

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Note:  In case you were wondering, I used the HOT TAMALE font.  You can download it here for your own use.

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ARRIVAL

As each girl arrived they were given a passport (which could be stamped as they visited each station).  But before they got their passport - they had to translate atleast four of the following words into English.

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There was also a photo booth opportunity for the girls: sombreros, mustaches, maracas, and a back drop of the mariachi band and Spanish dancers.

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Each station was delegated to one of the members of the Young Women Presidency to  run.  They were asked to spend 5 minutes talking about their assigned trait of a leader (see below).  Then they introduced the activity - which reinforced the leadership trait.

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1. "A Leader... has vision"

- sets goals, faith

Activity:  Tortilla Toss

Supplies needed:  corn tortillas, measuring tape or tarp with holes

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2. "A Leader... gives direction"
- shares vision, belief, testimony

Activity:  Simon Says - in spanish (see actions below)

Supplies needed: signs with instructions english/spanish translations

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3. "A Leader... is strong"
- takes charge, is a doer, reaps rewards

Activity:  Pinata 

Supplies needed:  filled pinata, blindfold, stick

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4. "A Leader... encourages"
- inspires through example, leadership is defined through action, integrity

Activity:  Dance Instruction

Supplies needed:  music (Mexican hat dance), sombreros

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5. "A Leader... has a good attitude"

Take-A-Way:  Charles Swindle: Life is 10% what happens to you  90% how you react to it. 

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FIESTA! Time

The night ended with food at the "Value Cantina"!  We decorated an area to resemble a little mexican cantina.  A bowl of tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa was placed at each table.  Best part!  :)
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       Food Assignments:

• flour tortillas
• shredded pork (using Dr Pepper - from Pioneer Women Cooks)
• shredded lettuce
• cilantro-lime rice
• shredded cheese
• beans
• guacamole
• sour cream
• pico de gallo
• Bajio's cilantro lime dressing
• tortilla chips (for tables)
• salsa (for tables)

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ADDITIONAL IDEAS
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DIY MINI PINATAS

from Oh Happy Day

Wouldn't these make an awesome take-a-way?!

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cut-out flags

DIY tutorial here

purchase here or here

Soup & Share

As we approach the end of a year and prepare for a new one...I wanted to share one of Brie's 10 hour projects for Young Women.  It is a great project to start the year off.
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Rewind four years...  She organized and carried out a ward Soup&Share (D.I. drive +). The idea was borrowed from Grandpa and Grandma Phillips' ward, who used to host a similar event, called Soup and Swap, every year.
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Brie stayed on top of things even with an infection in both of her ears and pneumonia. Thursday afternoon she was told by her doctor she was to go home and stay there until she got better. But, even being under doctor's orders to stay home, Brie wanted to see her project through to the end.

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She has a great group of friends, as well as a wonderful little sister, who helped her carry it out. At one point, her friends pulled in a soft armchair from the foyer, so Brie could be comfortable while they did a little fashion show for her. She learned a few lessons in leadership, as well as delegation. The project was a success! The donations exceeded her expectations.

THE FLYER:

Does the New Year find you cleaning out closets or your garage?

Are you trying to getting rid of unwanted items?

Or… do you find you are in need of certain items yourself?

Come be apart of Soup&Share!

It’s an opportunity to share and receive, then share again!

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FRIDAY

6:00 - 9:00 pm

DROP OFF items you are giving away.

NO damaged items, please.

Clothing & Shoes · For the Kitchen · Baby Items

Home Décor · Toys & Games · Holiday

School Supplies · Bath · Electronics

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SATURDAY

12:00 noon - 3:00 pm

If you would like, bring homemade soups and breads to SHARE.

TAKE any items you and your family may be in need of.

All items remaining will be DONATED to Deseret Industries.

The items they are needing most: Clothing and Shoes
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The donations kept coming Saturday morning. There were even more donations dropped off as we were loading up the trailer Saturday afternoon.

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Recipes for your own Soup&Share can be found on Our Recipe Garden.

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The girls enjoyed creating outfits for their impromptu fashion show. Each one went home Friday night with new found treasures and showed up Saturday morning wearing at least one item they picked up the night before.

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They also played games.
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Then came time to pack it all up and transfer it to the D.I. trailer.
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After filling the bags...
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*They filled the trailer.

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The girls did a wonderful job.

What a wonderful group of friends!
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It doesn't matter whether you share your donations with Deseret Industries, Goodwill, or even a local women's shelter, etc...  Sharing simply makes you feel good!

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We'd love to hear about your experiences!