Youth Involvement and Community Development	YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS   Tran Tran
Vietnamese(VISCI|) Vietnamese(VPS) Youth Workshop 1998

In its twenty years of activity the Edmonton Viets Association has always made a conscious effort to reach out to youth. The president of the association used to take part in events organized by youth. The association’s program always paid attention to activities for youth and by youth and created conditions for active youth involvement.

The outreach and  youth involvement approach have resulted in the fact that many youth have eventually become presidents of the Edmonton Viets Association and have contributed  a great deal to the development of the Association. Youth have also been active in other community activities such as Heritage Day, Summer Camp, New Year’s Festival, Dinner for the Needy and other sports events. These activities have strengthen the solidarity among the different community organizations.

The executive committee of the Edmonton Viets Association consists of 15 members, half of them are elected every year. Usually youth make up at least half of the member ship . Each member of the committee is assigned at least  one task to be completed in the year. The implementation of the association’s plan of activites always received the support and advices of the former members of the executive committee.

The Association looks forward to the leadership of youth to be the main driving force in the new millennium to promote further development in the community and to contribute to the betterment  of a Vietnam, our homeland, free, democratic and prosperous.
 

In order to contribute to the development and strengthening of the Vietnamese diaspora, the leadership skills have to change to adapt to the new development in technology and the changes in economic, political and social conditions. The following 14 points are brought forward for discussion.

1.   Personal style of  leadership
Everybody working in community organizations needs leadership skills to  help their groups achieving its goals. It is important that every individual must know about his/her ability, build up one’s self-confidence and focus on the goal set for him/herself.

2.  Ongoing communication
Three essential points to remember:

• Continuing exchange of information
• Approach everything with an open mind and an open heart
• Creating conditions conducive to the everybody’s participation

4.  Maintaining a warm and friendly relationship with everybody
Everybody would like to think of themselves as a special person, deserving special attention and consideration. We therefore have to show that we care for each and every individual  at work, at school, in the family, in the community. A few tips  to show our caring attitude:

• Be always cheerful  and smiling
• Remember well people’s name and their work
• Listen with a strong interest to what people say
• Emphasize and elaborate on common theme and subjects
• Always respect others

6.  Respect the personal dignity of other people
No matter how smart or talented we are, we are bound to fail if we do not respect each other

7.  Encouragement and rewards
At all stages of the activities of the community we must always find the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of both the volunteers and staff members of the organization.

8.  Correcting our error and mistakes
Always critique in a spirit of understanding and positive thinking. Listen to criticisms with an open mind. Think carefully before criticizing others. Never make other people lose face by a public personal criticism of them.

9.  Planning
There must be clear objectives for our plan.

10.  Stay focused and overcome the obstacles
Never lose sight of your goals. Make tactical adjustments as required but try not to change strategy unless it is absolutely necessary
 
11.  Keep a good balance
To avoid burnout and maintain sustaining commitment, keep a well balanced way of living between personal happiness, family life and public activities. Do not sacrifice one for the other.

12.  Be positive and objective
Leaders always have to maintain and create an environment of optimism, self -confidence and forward looking. It is important to pay attention to constructive criticisms and not be oversensitive about  negative remarks and criticisms.

13.  Address the problem but do not worry about the problem
Worries about the problem only  interfere with the progress of the activities. When faced with a problem, look straight at it, simplify it and find a way to address it.  Three guiding principles to look at a problem:

• Work out a worst-case scenario
• Be prepared  to accept the consequences
• Calmly assess the situation and find way to address it with the resources available.

14.   Optimism and trust are our  strength
The optimism of individuals in a group and their trust in each other always contribute to the high spirit of the  group and ensure great success.