UNP-10, New June 2000. Grace Kirkman, Extension Urban Specialist, Program Design, Alabama A & M University

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A Guide for Implementing Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author acknowledges the contributions of the collaborative team members listed below.

• Kettering Foundation, Dayton, OH
• Estus Smith, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief
  Operating Officer, Kettering Foundation, Dayton, OH
• Robert H. McKenzie, Ph.D., Associate, Kettering Foundation, Northport, AL
• James P. "Ike" Adams, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Assistant to the Provost, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
• Jimmy W. Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Brewer-Porch Children's Center, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
• Martha Johnson, Ph.D., State Program Leader,
  Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn, AL
• Martha G. Bell, Ph.D., Director of Community Services,
  Wallace Community College, Dothan, AL
• Rosalind James, County Extension Agent,
  Houston County, Alabama
• Julia McCollum, County Extension Agent,
  Mobile County, Alabama

CONTENTS

PART I

Introduction and Statement of Purpose

Overview of the Guide

Description of Target Audience

Timeline

Description of Forum/Study Circle Meeting Room Environment

PART II

PHASE I: PLANNING

PHASE II: IMPLEMENTATION OF PRACTICE FORUMS

Convene Practice Forum Format for Forums/Study Circles Convene Practice Forum Convene Practice Forum

PHASE III: YOUTH MODERATORS CONDUCT STUDY CIRCLES

Convene Study Circles

PHASE IV: SUMMATIVE EVALUATION PROCEDURES

PHASE V: PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING PRE- AND POST-FORUM QUESTIONNAIRES

PHASE VI: SELECTION AND PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH IN ALABAMA COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (AN NIF PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE)

DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

REFERENCES

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX A: Definitions Concerned with the Implementation of Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes

APPENDIX B: Practice Forum/Study Circle Sign-up Sheet

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PART I

Introduction and Statement of Purpose

In furtherance of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's commitment to urban youth involvement in problem solving, critical thinking, and leadership development, the integration of a practice for engaging youth in public issues education was conceptualized. The Urban Youth Leadership Development Institute was designed based on the National Issues Forums Research for involving individuals in dialogue for weighing costs and consequences of choices relative to issues of common concern.

The objectives for developing the Guide for Implementing Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes were

1. To assist county Extension agents in integrating a practice for teaching public issues education to urban youth.
2. To plan, implement, evaluate, and report youth development institutes in urban areas of the state.
3. To facilitate and enhance partnerships with agencies, organizations, colleges, universities, public and private schools, and businesses in order to foster the development of problem solving abilities, critical thinking (group, as well as individual), and deliberative skills of urban youth.

The Guide will introduce you to important NIF concepts and the dynamics of deliberative techniques involved in leading NIF issue forums and study circles. It supports Cooperative Extension System programs relating to non-Project work in Urban and New Nontraditional Programs ETP 600B. Additionally, with your knowledge and experiences, it will provide a framework to teach public issues education to urban youth.

Overview of the Guide

The Guide for Implementing Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes is comprised of six phases. The phases depict the major events that are associated with the planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting of effective and efficient youth development institutes.

To effectively plan and implement institutes:

• Establish a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of NIF moderators and youth.
• Read the NIF Introductory Packet.
• Review the listing of NIF issue books that are available to you.
• Study the issue book pertaining to the issue chosen for deliberation.
• View the NIF Starter Videotape for the issue selected.
• Study the guidelines for leading forums and study circles.
• Familiarize yourself with the contents of the Guide in order to ensure a productive experience for youth participants.

Description of Target Audience

The Guide for Implementing Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes is targeted for English-speaking urban youth ranging in age from 14 to 18 and grade levels 9 through l2. Participation in the Institute requires youth to have sufficient verbal comprehension ability. It is anticipated that youth will be engaged in deliberation activities for a period of approximately six to seven months. To ensure participants' mastery of the concepts and strategies for leading forums and study circles, it is suggested that the youth participate in the entire Institute.

Timeline

The planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of the Urban Youth Leadership Development Institute will cover a period of approximately six to seven months. The time may vary depending on the amount of time you chose to allot for youth study circles. The idea is that youth have an opportunity to participate in all events associated with the Institute in a given year.

Listed below are the major events of an initiated institute:

• Identify potential adult NIF moderators (first month).
• Recruit adult NIF moderators to serve on PAC (first month).
• Identify and organize in-school or out-of-school youth groups to participate in study circles (first and second months).
• Select 35 to 50 youth (the number may vary depending on the size of the groups) from the established study circles to be trained as youth moderators (first and second months).
• Establish PAC comprised of 10 to 15 members, 10 to12 adult NIF moderators, and 3 youth (first month). (Select the three youth to serve on the PAC from the 35 to 50 youth to be trained as moderators.)
• Meet with PAC to discuss goals and objectives of the institute (first month).
• Conduct two practice forums (second and third months).
• Administer Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires to participants of Practice Forum 1 only (second and third months).
• Mail Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires to
  National Issues Forums Research
  100 Commons Road
  Dayton, Ohio 45459-2777
  (second and third months).
• Secure sponsors to fund youth participation in the Alabama Community Leadership Development Institute (second and third months).
• Forum recorder provides written observations of the two practice forums (second and third months).
• Conduct Practice Forum 3, where youth moderators lead deliberation with other trained youth moderators (fourth month).
• Forum recorder provides written observations of Practice Forum 3 (fourth month).
• Youth moderators conduct study circles with established youth groups, completing all choices for the issue chosen during a minimum of three sessions per issue (fourth and fifth months).
• Administer Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires to participants of study circles (fourth and fifth months).
• Mail Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires to National Issues Forums Research (fourth and fifth months).
• Each county Extension agent or agent team identifies and selects 3 to 5 youth from the initial group of youth moderators and study circles to participate in the Alabama Community Leadership Development Institute (sixth and seventh months).
• Contact parents and school officials regarding youth participation in the Alabama Community Leadership Development Institute (sixth and seventh months).
• County Extension agents and youth participate in the Alabama Community Leadership Development Institute, which is held annually at Auburn or Tuscaloosa (seventh month).

Description of Forum/Study Circle Meeting Room Environment

The moderator will lead the forum/study circle. The primary responsibility of the moderator is to get participants talking with one another productively, using questions from the Moderator Guide in the issue book. The convenor should make the necessary preparations prior to convening the forum/study circle. The instructional media to be used include the TV/VCR, flip chart/stand, and writing markers. One videotape will be shown using the TV/VCR. The flip chart will be used by the recorder to record the views of the participants during the forum/study circle.

The forum/study circle meeting room should be large enough to accommodate the 35 to 50 youth moderators. The convenor should check with facility personnel for the location of the handicap access, if it is not obvious. The meeting room should be arranged in a U-shape with chairs and tables, placing three chairs per table. Prior to the forum/study circle, the convenor should insure adequate ventilation and lighting in the room(s). Also, the convenor is encouraged to ensure that the emergency door from the meeting room is usable.

Practice Forums 1 and 2 both will require one large meeting room. For Practice Forum 3, the number of meeting rooms needed will be determined by the number of groups made up by dividing the youth moderators into groups of equal numbers. The study circle may use one large room or several rooms. This will depend on the number of youth comprising the youth group.

PART II

This section provides the major tasks involved in the initial planning process for implementing Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes.

PHASE I: PLANNING

• Identify adult NIF moderators in your area.
• Identify and organize in-school or out-of-school youth groups who will participate in study circles.
• Select 35 to 50 youth (depending on the size of the established youth groups) to be trained as youth moderators.
• Establish a PAC of 10 to 15 members, including adult moderators and three youth from the 35 to 50 group to be trained as youth moderators.
• Reserve a meeting place for the PAC meeting and inform members of the location, date, and time.
• Convene the PAC meeting using the following format:

	1)	Welcome/Introduction.
	2)	Discuss purpose, overview, and objectives of the Institute.
	3)	Distribute NIF Introductory Packet (Starter Kit).
	4)	PAC selects issue(s) to be deliberated by adult moderators for Practice Forums 1 and 2 (see annotated bibliography for a listing of NIF issue books).
	5)	PAC selects an issue to be deliberated by the youth moderators (may be one of the same issue(s) used for Practice Forums 1 and 2).
	6)	Select an adult team of three from the established PAC comprising the following individuals (these individuals will be the facilitators for Practice Forums 1 and 2):
		a)	Moderator­facilitates the entire forum (introduction, purpose, overview of the forum, choices 1-3, and forum summary)
		b)	Recorder­records the views of participants during the actual forum
		c)	Forum recorder­responsible for recording all events of the forum
	7)	Set a tentative location, date, and time for implementing the three practice forums.
	8)	After the PAC meeting, the convenor confirms the location, date, and time for the three practice forums and informs the PAC and the youth moderators.

PHASE II: IMPLEMENTATION OF PRACTICE FORUMS

Phase II describes the format for convening forums/study circles. The format allows for examining the range of perspectives or choices relating to issues using the deliberative practices embraced by NIF. Three practice forums are conducted. Forums 1 and 2 are convened to give youth moderators experience with the dynamics of deliberation with trained NIF adult moderators. Lastly, Practice Forum 3 provides the opportunity for youth moderators to lead deliberation with other trained youth moderators.

CONVENE PRACTICE FORUM 1
(Duration: 2 hours)

Format for Convening Forums/Study Circles
*	Welcome­The convenor or moderator introduces the forum/study circle.
*	Administer the Pre-Forum Questionnaire prior to introducing the issue for Practice Forum 1 only (found in the back of the issue book), make copies for your documentation, and return the Pre-Forum Questionnaires to National Issues Forums Research 100 Commons Road Dayton, Ohio 45459-2777
*	Discuss Ground Rules­Discuss guidelines for leading forums using the Forum Poster Set.
*	Show the NIF Starter Videotape (relating to the issue selected for deliberation).
*	Personal Stake­Establish the relevance of the issue to the lives and concerns of the participants.
*	Deliberation­Lead participants in examining all the choices.
*	Reflection (forum summary)­Reflect on what has been achieved during the forum.
*	Administer the Post-Forum Questionnaire to participants follow-ing completion of the first forum only (in the back of the issue book), make copies for your documentation, and mail to National Issues Forums Research.

Follow the format for moderating Practice Forum 1, but do not administer the Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires.

CONVENE PRACTICE FORUM 3
(Duration: 2 hours)

Follow the format given for moderating Practice Forums 1 and 2 and the following:
1)	Allow youth moderators to lead the forum. This gives trained youth moderators practice leading deliberation with other trained peer moderators prior to implementing study circles with youth groups.
2)	Divide youth moderators into equal numbers per group.
3)	Distribute the Practice Forum Sign-up Sheet. Assign each youth to a component of the forum (moderator,introduction, observer, and choices 1-3, reflection, recorder, and forum recorder).
4)	Do not administer the Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires.

PHASE III: Youth Moderators Conduct Study Circles With In-School or Out-of-School Youth Groups

Convene Study Circles

Duration­minimum of 30 minutes per choice. Time allotted will vary depending on whether study circles are conducted with in-school groups or out-of-school groups.

In addition to following the format given for moderating Practice Forum 1, the convenor does the following:

1)		Distributes issue books and informs study circle youth of the location, date, and time of the study circle several days prior to meeting.
2)		Distributes the Practice Forum Sign-up Sheet and assigns each youth to a component of the forum (moderator, introduction, observer, choices 1-3, reflection, recorder, and forum recorder).
3)		Administers the Pre-Forum Questionnaireto participants of the study circle, makes copies of the questionnaires for your documentation, and mails them to National Issues Forums Research.
4)		Administers the Post-Forum Questionnaireto participants of the study circle following completion of all three choices relating to an issue, makes copies of the questionnaires for your documentation, and mails them to National Issues Forums Research.

PHASE IV: Summative Evaluation Procedures

Summative evaluations are completed as follows:

• Written observations from the forum recorder of the three practice forums
• Analyses of the videotapes of the three practice forums (optional)
• Moderator completes the Response Form (in the back of the issue book) and submits it to the convenor; make a copy of the form for your documentation and mail the original to National Issues Forums Research

PHASE V: Procedures for Reporting Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires

This phase involves primarily reporting the Pre- and Post Forum Questionnaires. Prior to submitting the completed questionnaires to NIF, the convenor should make copies for his or her documentation and mail the questionnaires to

National Issues Forums Research
100 Commons Road
Dayton, Ohio 45459-2777

The contact data obtained relating to Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes should be reported for ETP 600B.

PHASE VI: SELECTION AND PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH IN THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (an NIF Public Policy Institute)

	*	The convenor identifies and selects 3 to 5 youth from the 35 to 50 initially trained youth moderators and study circles.
	*	The convenor contacts parents and school officials regarding youth participation in the Alabama Community Leadership Development Institute.
	*	The convenor writes and disseminates public service announcementsto local media featuring the youth's participation in the AlabamaCommunity Leadership Development Institute. (optional)
	*	County Extension agents and youth participate in the Alabama Community Leadership Development Institute at Auburn or Tuscaloosa sponsored by the University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College, Stillman College, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
	*	Following youth participation in the Alabama Community Leadership Development Institute, the convenor writes and disseminates public service announcements to the local media featuring the youth's participation in the institute. (optional)

DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Prior to conducting forums/study circles the convenor should ensure the following:

• All equipment is in good operating condition
• Flip chart and stand (including markers) are positioned
• Set of posters is displayed in a conspicuous location for viewing
• TV/VCR is in position for showing the videotape
• NIF Starter Videotape is cued to the appropriate segment for viewing
• Enough handouts to accommodate the forum/study circle
• Handouts are organized to correspond with the forum/study circle format.
• Video camera is set up for videotaping the forum/study circle (optional)
• Public service announcements are written and disseminated to local media sources regarding youth participation in the NIF training for moderating issue forums (optional)
• Issue books are distributed to youth moderators and youth several days prior to the forums/study circles

Equipment and Materials Needed:

• NIF Starter Videotape (request from Extension Urban Specialist, Program Design)
• TV Monitor/VCR
• Issue Books (request from Extension Urban Specialist, Program Design)
• Moderator Guide (order free copies from the Kettering Foundation, 1-800-600-4060)
• Video Camera (optional)
• Moderator Response Form (found in the back of issue books)
• Flip Chart and Flip Chart Stand
• Markers (for writing on the flip chart)
• Name tags (for participants of forums/study circles)
• Masking tape (for posting the participants' responses)
• Set of Posters (order free set from Kettering Foundation, 1-800-600-4060)
• Pencils
• Practice Forum/Study Circle Sign-up Sheet (see Appendix B)
• Starter Kit (NIF Introductory Packet, order free from the Kettering Foundation, 1-800-600-4060)

REFERENCES

National Issues Forums Research. (1999). For Convenors and Moderators: Organizing for Public Deliberation and Moderating a Forum/Study Circle. [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Issue books that are concerned with youth:

National Issues Forums. (1998). Protecting Our Rights: What Goes on The Internet? [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Helps citizens consider the tensions among privacy, social responsibility, and free speech in the use of the Internet.

National Issues Forums Research. (1999). Public Schools: Are They Making the Grade? [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Helps citizens examine differing points of view about how to improve the public schools.

National Issues Forums Research. (1998). Jobs: Preparing a Workforce for the 21st Century [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Helps citizens examine differing points of view about what should be taught in schools.

National Issues Forums Research. (1997). Our Nation's Kids: Is Something Wrong? [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Helps citizens sort through differing ideas about parental and societal responsibility for the culture in which children grow up.

National Issues Forums. (2000). Violent Kids: Can We Change the Trend? [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Helps citizens look at the recent concerns about violence in our society and dramatic incidents of violence by kids.

National Issues Forums. (1999). From Welfare to Work: Who Should We Help and How? [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Helps citizens sort through how to manage the transition of people off welfare rolls and into productive jobs.

National Issues Forums. (1999). Alcohol: Controlling the Toxic Spill [Brochure] Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Helps citizens address what to do about alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Note:

Selected topics of the issue books listed are available from the Extension Urban Specialist, Program Design. To order other topics of issue books, request an order form (if you do not already have one) by calling 1-800-228-0810. Mail the order form to Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 4050 Westmark Drive, P.O. Box 1840, Dubuque, IA 52004-1840, or you may fax it to 1-800-772-9165.

APPENDIX A

Definitions Concerning the Implementation of Urban Youth Leadership Development Institutes

The following terms are used throughout the Guide. The definitions provide a basis for contextual understanding.

Convenor

One who recruits NIF moderators and participants and plans forums and study circles.

Issue

A problem that affects or could affect all of us, with its human impact being easily recognizable.

Choice

A policy alternative or option for the issue addressed outlining a particular prescription for action and shaped by a particular set of hopes, fears, motivations, and values.

Moderator Guides

References prepared for each NIF issue book offering background information, insights, and guidelines for leading forums and study circles.

National Issues Forums (NIF)

A network comprising thousands of institutions (both civic and educational) in the United States that are linked for the purpose of conducting forums and study circles to address public issues of citizen concern.

Deliberation

A discussion with other people preparatory to making a choice regarding an issue.

NIF Starter Videotape

A visual presentation of issues describing the pros and cons of the choices involved in the given issue.

Study Circle

Youth group comprising 5 to 20 individuals who meet one or more times on the same issue for the purpose of learning deliberative strategies for moderating forums.

Forum

Youth group of 20 or more individuals who meet one time on an issue for the purpose of learning deliberative strategies for moderating forums.

In-School Study Circle (group)

Youth group comprising 5 to 20 individuals who meet during regular school hours to learn strategies for leading forums/study circles.

Out-of-School Study Circle (group)

Youth group comprising 5 to 20 individuals who meet after regular school hours to learn strategies for leading forums/study circles.

Youth Moderator

Urban teenager between the ages of 14 to 18, representing grades 9 through 12, who has been trained in deliberative strategies based on NIF research.

NIF Moderator

Individual age 19 and over who has been trained in deliberative strategies based on NIF research.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC)

Alabama Cooperative Extension System's mechanism for involving stakeholders in the planning and implementing of educational programs to meet clientele needs.

Issue Book

A reference that provides a basis for making choices relating to public issues by addressing the implications of the various perspectives relating to issues affecting people's lives.

Pre-Forum Questionnaire

A survey designed to focus the attention of participants on a given issue and identify initial feelings.

Post-Forum Questionnaire

A survey designed to evaluate the conflict within the individual relating to a given issue and is administered after the completion of forums and study circles.

Urban Youth Leadership Development Institute

A framework designed and developed for planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting issue education engaging urban youth using the deliberative techniques embraced by the National Issues Forums Research.

APPENDIX: B

Practice Forum/Study Circle Sign-up Sheet

Review the activities listed for each part of the forum or study circle. Choose the role you would prefer to practice: moderator, observer, recorder, or forum recorder. Decide with your group and group leader who will do what, and when.

Introduction

• Explain the purpose of the forum.
• Set the ground rules.
• Define the problem.
• Lead the discussion to bring out personal experiences with this issue.
• Introduce the choices.

Choices (1-3)

• Ask questions to bring out the pros and cons of each choice.
• Help the group identify specific actions and consequences.
• Make sure several viewpoints are considered.
• Help participants discover the trade-offs and underlying values of each choice.

Reflection (Forum Summary)

• Lead the group in reflecting on how thinking has changed.
• Ask questions to help the group find whether there is common ground for action and what still needs further deliberation.
• Bring closure by recognizing the group's accomplishments and potential next steps.

Recorder (Records the responses of the participants)

Observer (Critiques each moderator)

Forum Recorder (Records the entire event)

• Provide written observations of the entire forum.

	Moderator	Recorder	Observer	Forum Recorder
Introduction
Choice 1
Choice 2
Choice 3
Reflection
Adapted from NIF training materials

For further information, contact:

Grace Kirkman, Ph.D.
Extension Urban Specialist, Program Design
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
P.O. Box 967
Normal, AL 35762
Phone: (256) 858-4963
Fax: (256) 851-5840
E-mail: gkirkman@aces.edu