:

OVERVIEW

Steps for Implementation

Compared to the other 49 states, Wisconsin ranks number one in binge drinking, driving under the influence, and percentage of drinkers in the population according to Journal Sentinel reporter Ben Poston (2008). Given how engrained it is in our culture, it is no wonder todays youth has such a problem refraining from underage drinking. Not only do teenagers drink to have fun, but using other drugs such as prescription drugs and marijuana has increased (Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2011) as well. However, high school students are beginning to recognize this problem through education and are internally motivated to change it. There are many influences in the lives our youth today, both positive and negative. The goal of the Life of a Leader (LOAL) program is to grow and develop strong, positive student leaders within a community. By following the 5 stages of implementation below, student leaders will be able to positively influence their peer groups as well as adults in their communities. Life of a Leader is a program created by the Team Leadership Center Inc. (TLC) to transfer and continue the energy, engagement and belief that John Underwood of the American Athletic Institute brought to Wisconsin. Schools may implement this program strictly for athletics, but it is intended to be a program that is co-curricular. Life of a Leader is just what it claims to be: how do I need to live in order to be a successful leader? The acronym, LOAL, stands for its four content standards: Learning, Ownership, Accountability and Leading. By adopting this model, school districts will gain continuity, transfer of information and student leadership that will promote change in the current culture of each schools community.

INTERPRETING OUR MODEL

The stages for implementation below are guidelines. There are many successful ways to start a student led initiative in a school, county or state. It is okay to adapt this process to best fit ones own community. The model documented here is based off of the successful model used in Door County, WI. As of 2011, the five schools in Door County are learning, growing and modeling Life of a Leader. The student leaders in this district have named their initiative Project 180, Jump above the Influence.

HOW TO IMPLEMENT
This program can be implemented one stage at a time or in multiple stages at once. For some schools education may be the first step. This step may be as simple as plastering posters on school lockers and walls. For other schools, it might mean creating a co-curricular school model with a code of conduct, school monument/mural, training for student leaders, and attending a conference with other schools in the district on Leadership. LOALs goal is to develop more positive student leaders in communities who can influence peers and adults alike to make good decisions. Knowing this, schools do not need to follow the guidelines below exactly but in a way that allows young leaders to succeed at making positive changes in ones own community.

Team Leadership Center, Inc. | 920.746.9999 adventures@teamleadership.com | www.teamleadership.com

5 STAGES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

The five criteria listed below are standards found essential for LOAL to be a successful intervention strategy for AODA problems in Door County schools, countywide and regionally.

1) DEFINE LEADERS - The student leaders chosen need to be able to take initiative, handle stress,
get creative, have a strong backbone to confront code violations, be unique in their peer groups, and above all be role models in the school by staying clean. The staff members involved should be familiar with AODA intervention strategies and curriculum. They need to be able to give up time and energy outside of school for meetings, workshops, trainings and community events. In addition, they need to be prepared to be facilitators during student meetings and offer direction. Staff leaders are offering guidance, which allows the students the opportunity to make decisions.

2) GATHER SUPPORT - In order for implementation to take place, it is mandatory that there is
buy-in by various members in the school community. Getting support from a superintendent, administrators, teachers, parents, school board members, coaches, police officers or athletic trainers is important, but the biggest supporters need to be the students. This is the major population LOL is trying to influence so they may continue to be positive role models in their schools and throughout their lives. They are the population dialoguing, making decisions, being the spokespeople and regulators behind each initiative established. Door Countys coalition is so successful due to the student voices. 3) ESTABLISH A CODE - Each school needs to establish a sound code that holds students, staff members, coaches and parents accountable for their actions. Success extends beyond student involvement and change. Many students in Door County voiced their concerns of parents holding safe drinking parties for youth because they will drink regardless of our rules. Codes of Conduct need to be short, concise and to the point. All members involved need to sign and uphold the code, as well as get signatures and backing from various members within all levels of the coalition (school, county, and state). 4) SCHEDULE COMMUNITY EVENTS - As a school begins to implement this initiative, discuss any problems, concerns, suggestions and comments as a community. Parents are only one essential part of this initiative. Holding multiple parent/community events allows towns, villages and cities to have a voice in this impactful AODA coalition. As more community members become involved, a sense of ownership will be established. Parents and community members in Door County benefit from these because they feel like they are involved. If community events occur there will be an increase in the coalitions support to go countywide and statewide. There may even be some stakeholders in your community willing to assist in funding! 5) TRAIN LEADERS - Choosing a captain of a sports team or a leader in a club/organization is not easy. At times we believe they know how to lead just because they were chosen. This is where personal leadership training comes in. The TLC staff will take appointed leaders through team building initiatives where they will be held personally accountable for the behavior they are actually modeling and the behavior they claim to model. Through self-awareness and training in personal leadership development, these individuals will be able to role models in their peer groups and spokespeople for their community.

Team Leadership Center, Inc. | 920.746.9999 adventures@teamleadership.com | www.teamleadership.com

A GLANCE AT LOALS LEVELS: SCHOOLWIDE, COUNTYWIDE & REGIONAL

SCHOOLWIDE LEVEL
1) Co-curricular leadership development program where student leaders are selected to participate in the following: a. 6-8 hour student leadership development day focused on personal leadership, group facilitation and peer intervention strategies for student and staff leaders in beginning of fall semester. b. 4-hour follow-up session to dialogue transfer and learning thus far in Winter 2) Code: create a code of conduct for students, staff, parents, etc. to uphold 3) Mural: create a school mural with signatures pledging to stay clean 4) Creed: create a statement or phrase that the school initiative stands for. 5) Cost: $1500 +travel expenses after choosing athletic or co-curricular focus

COUNTYWIDE LEVEL
1) School-wide model must have been implemented at multiple schools 2) Appoint 8th grade - Junior leaders (4+/school) and staff (1/school) to be representatives 3) Hold bi-monthly meetings facilitated by the Team Leadership Center Inc. a. Talk about what progress has been made b. Discuss what each schools call to action will be. What steps need to be taken? c. Create a code, mural, and creed for countywide initiative that stays consistent with their school models i. Either the code or creed should be identical in each school, bridging together at the county level for consistency d. Hold countywide events for parents and community members e. Spring/Summer leadership workshops for representative staff and student leaders 4) Cost: $2500 +travel expense after choosing athletic or co-curricular focus for 6-10 schools

REGIONAL LEVEL
1) 2) 3) 4) School-wide and countywide models must have been implemented in multiple counties Support from regional prevention coordinators multiple school districts and CESA Regional Personal leadership conference for Staff and student leaders Developed and Facilitated by the Team Leadership Center, Inc. a. Popular key-note speakers (i.e. Green Bay Packer players/coaches) b. Break-out sessions on various topics chosen by student leaders c. Student roundtables for idea sharing d. Sharing successful models for: a) School codes b) Dealing with violations c) Student leadership for teams or groups d) Creeds, slogans, identity and PR 5) Cost: $5000 for presenters in keynote and breakout sessions +travel, foodservice & facility rental

Team Leadership Center, Inc. | 920.746.9999 adventures@teamleadership.com | www.teamleadership.com

WHAT WE KNOW: PERSEPCTIVES BY STUDENTS, STAFF & COMMUNITY

STUDENT/STAFF PERSPECIVE: Why are you here?
Culminating sentences from a countywide leadership conference prior to creation of Project 180
I alone will not make a difference, we will. - We wont stand for anything less than excellence! - This experience was enlightening, productive & motivational for our community. - Tomorrow is too late. - A call to action experience.

Facilitated by the TLC Team A Summary of responses from Project 180 Leaders and Staff Representatives at first county meeting
Choice - Want - To be a Leader - Irritation - Difference - Help - Opportunity for Change - Inspiration - For a Purpose For the Future - Dedication - Commitment - A Vision - Better the Environment - Change - Influence

Facilitated by Tim Pflieger, Founder/Owner of TLC

COMMUNITY PERPSECTIVE: Written testimonials by various community members.

Sports Team, Team Building day facilitated by Moira Farrell, Certified Facilitator of TLC
The six-hour training at TLC brought more meaning to the word Team. Defining roles, expanding their role & living it out in the well-executed activities was a great learning experience for the girls. In most of the activities, team members had to discuss strategies, change strategies & learn the essential ingredients of communication & trust to successfully complete each task. This was a day the girls enjoyed & learned important elements of individual and group success.

Coach Bill Farrell, Notre Dame Academy Girls Basketball, 2011 Sports Team, Team Building day facilitated by Moira Farrell, Certified Facilitator of TLC
Solving problems while having fun. It was nice to bond even more with my team at a higher/different level. Every activity was very fun & also provided a learning point to reflect upon in our lives outside of basketball.

Athlete Megan Kerwin, Notre Dame Academy Girls Basketball, 2011 A reaction to the October Leadership Conference
Being a parent, all you want is the best for your kids. Just knowing my son was chosen to attend a conference to learn personal leadership skills, lets me know he is striving to be an individual and feels comfortable setting himself apart from his peer group. I am grateful he attends a school that provides opportunities like this that improve student growth.

Parent Kirsten Foss, Sturgeon Bay High School, 2011 A reaction to the progress made by Project 180s student leaders
Project 180 has empowered our students to break down boundaries, make positive choices, & develop leadership skills. By working with our students as partners, we are creating a culture for lasting change & our students have the loudest voice!

Principal Adam Baier, Sevastopol High School, 2012 A reaction to the identity of Project 180s student leaders
I am witnessing that their image is about being courageous students wearing something that represents what they believe in front of their peers as well as being positive, silent, & strong leaders modeling a healthy lifestyle. They have become a visual support system that normally is not talked about at school. In some way, strength has become evident in growing numbers at this point. It is creating a "buzz" for students to talk about pros and cons of difficult life choices they make on a daily basis.

Student Council Director & Art Teacher Nicole Herpst, Sturgeon Bay High School, 2012
Team Leadership Center, Inc. | 920.746.9999 adventures@teamleadership.com | www.teamleadership.com