Student leaders growing new skills in the garden
Five of the mentors attended in person. An issue with their airline meant the sixth attended online.
The Youth Environment Council of South Australia (YEC) uses an effective and engaging peer-learning model, involving experienced YEC members being selected to support Green Adelaide staff to mentor their fellow YEC students from across SA.
This year’s six mentors have just completed a training day with Green Adelaide staff at Adelaide Botanic Garden in the heart of the city.
They helped staff plan this year’s YEC activities and during the year they will further develop their self-confidence, leadership, public speaking and group work skills by acting as encouraging and supportive role models for this year’s YEC members. They will also deliver engaging activities to help the members bond into a united council during the year.
After having some time to reconnect and explore their beautiful surroundings, the mentors were asked to remember the challenges they experienced when first arriving at YEC events, brainstorm what makes effective leaders, and understand their own thinking and learning styles. The mentors provided feedback to staff, shared their visions and goals for the YEC, and developed and practiced skills techniques to support their fellow YEC members. These included starting and holding conversations, supporting members to make friends and encouraging participation in activities.
In just a few weeks they will use their newly learnt leadership skills at the Welcome Forum in Belair National Park, the first event for students chosen as members for this year’s YEC. The Welcome Forum will be followed soon after by a three-day overnight camp at Arbury Park Outdoor School.
The YEC mentoring program is an integral part of training emerging leaders in the Youth Environment Council which has been running in South Australia since 1997.
This year’s six mentors have just completed a training day with Green Adelaide staff at Adelaide Botanic Garden in the heart of the city.
They helped staff plan this year’s YEC activities and during the year they will further develop their self-confidence, leadership, public speaking and group work skills by acting as encouraging and supportive role models for this year’s YEC members. They will also deliver engaging activities to help the members bond into a united council during the year.
After having some time to reconnect and explore their beautiful surroundings, the mentors were asked to remember the challenges they experienced when first arriving at YEC events, brainstorm what makes effective leaders, and understand their own thinking and learning styles. The mentors provided feedback to staff, shared their visions and goals for the YEC, and developed and practiced skills techniques to support their fellow YEC members. These included starting and holding conversations, supporting members to make friends and encouraging participation in activities.
In just a few weeks they will use their newly learnt leadership skills at the Welcome Forum in Belair National Park, the first event for students chosen as members for this year’s YEC. The Welcome Forum will be followed soon after by a three-day overnight camp at Arbury Park Outdoor School.
The YEC mentoring program is an integral part of training emerging leaders in the Youth Environment Council which has been running in South Australia since 1997.
