Leaders Training Stage 1 Complete

2020 has certainly been a year of many firsts for all of us. Pivoting from face-to-face to Virtual Leaders Training was yet another first for Youth Insearch, demonstrating to our Trainees that where there is a will there is a way!

The Challenges

Our 29 Trainee Leaders this year overcame many challenges for virtual attendance - to get themselves online, having the right equipment, having enough data for internet access, being well prepared for their meal breaks, and to remain engaged to get the most from their training.

Through all these challenges, we still managed to create that feeling of team and togetherness across the three states. It was impressive to see the ways that they were able to keep themselves engaged and to complete their Stage 1 Training. 

The Sessions

The training sessions ran from 9am to 5.30/6pm for three consecutive days, with an hour for lunch and a couple of short morning and afternoon tea breaks. This was a massive effort for them to not only stay engaged, take in and learn from the sessions delivered but also to overcome some of the challenges going on around them in their own environments.   

Their commitment to stay online no matter what, showed not only their leadership qualities but how much this really means to them.

The Team delivered sessions on what Leadership is all about, taking care of yourself, administrative skills and tips, when to help in sessions, and presentation skills. All of these learnings helped the trainees to prepare and practice some of their own sessions they delivered online to the rest of their training team. 

The Team

We were also fortunate to have six Team Members who volunteered their time, and came up with creative ways to present and engage our trainees for the weekend. This really exemplifies the outstanding quality of Leaders we produce here at Youth Insearch.

Leading the training throughout the weekend were Leaders Chantelle, Kate, Simon, Braedyn, Liesel, and Sharon - who is both a Youth Insearch Leader and our own Program Quality and Partnerships Manager. 

The Presenters

We had guest appearances from a number of senior staff members and guests who delivered sessions and shared their wisdom with our 2020 Trainee Leaders.

• Our CEO Stephen Lewin talked about the Youth Insearch organisational structure and philosophy as well as inspiring the Leaders by telling his story - how he came through the program himself as a teen, and now is the Youth Insearch CEO
• Jennie Linton, our Program and Operations Manager, also presented and taught the trainee group mind mapping, note taking and conflict resolution
• Alan Kuczynski, one of our Youth Insearch Board Members, shared his wisdom and expertise with the Trainees, teaching communication skills
• Guest Presenter Jack Corbett told his inspirational story of “The Two Jacks”, sharing his triumph over adversity, and also described his involvement with Shark Tank

The Trainees spoke highly about the sessions afterwards and the impact of them and knowing the future direction of Youth Insearch and where they fit into that,  inspired them to give their all.

The Reach

The whole Youth Insearch team and our sponsors helped deliver the First Youth Insearch Leadership Training, which involved Trainees joining from the east coast of Australia, from: 

• Queensland - from Bundaberg, Gympie, Toowoomba to Dalby, Chinchilla, and Brisbane
• New South Wales - from Tamworth, Gunnedah, Inverell, Armidale, Riverstone and Sydney
• Victoria - from Shepparton, Melbourne, Gippsland, East Gippsland and Latrobe Valley

The Impression

I think these quotes from two of the Trainees sum Stage 1 up perfectly...

Youth Insearch has always shown consistent efficiency and overall excellence, Leaders Training is no exception.

It was a bit weird at first doing it online but we all adapted really quickly - it was a great experience and I'm looking forward to the future. In Leaders Training I felt the same as I would at a camp - I was safe and felt respected and supported, and everyone was welcoming.

Everyone involved are absolute legends, and the future of Youth Insearch program is shining bright. Thank you too all those that made this possible and are helping to shape our future Leaders. So proud of everyone - love what we do.

The Preparation

With a virtual format, each Trainee Leader was sent a full pack of documents, stationery and supplies - and it would be remiss of us to not acknowledge the hard work our amazing Administration Officer April put into this feat. The sheer volume of this was so impressive, as well as the care and detail that went into the preparation. The packs were posted to each Trainee Leader's home, and they were instructed not to open their packages until Leaders Training commenced - which only added to the excitement and anticipation.