Getting Started as a Youth Leader
Getting started as a youth leader—whether you're a youth, a young adult or an adult—calls for some basic information and a spirit of exploration and creativityYou'll probably want to get some background on the Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth movement, guidelines for starting a youth group from scratch, and tips on effective leadership for and with youth. Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) resources can help you find out more about collective decision making, working effectively with adults, fundraising, social action, anti-oppression work, and worship. Search the Leaders' Library to find resources from the Office of Youth Ministries (search either by Author, or select "I am a Youth").
UUA email lists can help you connect with other Youth leaders. Make sure to read about our Chrysalis Training Program, which offers trainings for youth and adults around spirituality, leadership, youth chaplaining, and youth advising. If there aren't any trainings coming soon in your area, contact the Religious Education Program Consultant in your district or region and ask to help organize one.
If you're not already familiar with them, take the time to learn about your district's/region's youth committee, about the UUA's Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth, and about YRUU (Young Religius Unitarian Universalists). The YRUU website has news about YRUU governance and events, as well as about YRUU's social justice work.
Until 2007, YRUU and the Office of Youth Ministries published a magazine called Synapse, which featured articles, poetry, and resources by and for UU youth. The entire archives are available online, and provide valuable information about the history of UU youth movements.
Being a leader of youth is important, challenging, energizing work. The UUA's Office of Youth Ministries is here to support you as you move on that leadership path!
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Thursday, December 13, 2007.
