E.Y.L. – What is it?

This was written by @Reginald Cajayon on July 21, 2007 after experiencing EYL Camp. Reggie captured in words so beautifully what many of us have been trying to say for years and just didn’t seem to have the right words or enough words to describe this experience we have been through. This is as close

E.Y.L. – What is it?

Current mood:full

Extreme Youth Leadership camp. Formerly a regionally-focused event to provide support similar to the Power Camps sponsored by MADD that serviced the entire state and even groups that came from beyond the confines of the Lone Star State.

This summer, there were two camps: the first in San Angelo, the second in Huntsville. I missed the first because of another obligation, but I didn’t realize – rather I didn’t remember what I was missing – until a couple of days into the camp at Sam Houston State.

What is it about these camps that make people return home, yearning for the next camp? What is it that fuels the desire for young people to want to come back year after year? What is it that makes people want to eventually become staffers so that they can be on the other side? Two things…

First and arguably the most crucial: E.Y.L. means “Enthusiastically, You’re Loved”. Many people, both youth and adults alike, come to camp for the first time and are initially freaked out by the unbridled energy and excitement the staff has and shares with everyone. “What in the heck are these people so excited about?”, they ask. And as the shock wears off, you begin to realize that what they’re trying to give to you is boundless and unquestioning love. These people that you’ve never met before are caring for you without ever judging you because of how you look or dress or what you listen to or what you may have done in the past. They accept you as you are at that very moment AND because of what you can and have yet to become, what you can and have yet to do. And so many – too many – of these people have NEVER had someone care about them the way they’re cared about at camp.

Dress different? So what. Aren’t “cool”? Cool is relative & only matters in relation to the people you really care about and that really care about you. Made mistakes? We all have. And none of this affects whether or not we’re still capable of making a difference in ourselves, in others, and in the world around us, the world we live in. Regardless of what your life may have been like before you arrived at camp, regardless of how you see yourself, these people at camp see the value in you and believe that you can fulfill that value, and some.

Second and usually the next step after discovering that Enthusiastically, You’re Loved, you feel free and safe and strong enough so that “Easily, You Love”. You’ve looked all around you at these people who are different shapes and colors and personalities, and they all care about each other and go the extra mile to help each other and everyone else, to see that someone is smiling that day, to make sure that they’ve touched someone else’s life in a positive way.

And so you try it. You see what it feels like to not judge and simply care. You see through the clothes & hair, you see beyond skin color and body shape, you don’t even ask about religion or one’s past. EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL because we realize that beauty means worth. We are all of value and are capable of doing something positive and wonderful; therefore, we are all deserving of being loved. So we – and oftentimes very slowly – open ourselves up to care about people we know nothing about except that they care about us without question. Yet sometimes we take the plunge and jump in head first, and that is often how people feel the rush that the staff feel everyday they’re at camp. And it’s that feeling in your chest that I feel at this very moment as I’m typing these words - that warmth, that tingling, that swelling – that we become addicted to during camp and that we miss when we leave and that makes us want to return as soon as we drive away.

What is it that makes camp special? What is it that makes so many people want to come back year after year?

Love. Everyone Yearns to be Loved, and then to love in return.

Written by @Reginald Cajayon

Please leave your comments and share your camp experiences with us. We would love to hear from you.

2010 Action Plans: Azle Youth On A Mission

……..And MORE youth are finding success in completing their action plans!!!!!

AZLE YOAM (Youth On A Mission) planned to hold an event in their community called “Tomorrow 4 Better.” People in the community came out to listen to some music, talk to the youth, and to hear from 3 different motivational speakers about choices and decisions. Local police and fire department came out in support of YOAM. The event was a great success and YOAM is pumped for their next one!

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ONCE AGAIN…To all of our campers…..KEEP IT UP! We are so proud of each and everyone one of you and cannot wait to hear more success stories from the completion of all your action plans you created! Remember, we are not too far away and will help you with whatever you need.

 

October: Leadership Book Part 1

Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney

“It’s not the magic that makes it work, it’s the way we work that makes it magic.”

A book by Lee Cockerell

“STRATEGY #1 – REMEMBER, EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT

Lee begins the chapter by describing the huge undertaking Disney World takes on every day, just to wash 240,000 lbs. of linens daily. Lee points out that many resorts, and hotels, contract out their laundry service. However, at Disney they are able to do all of this in-house, and with less expense, because of each manager’s ability to support and motivate all cast members to do their job to the best of their abilities.

Lee is quick to point out that the new policy of empowering the ordinary cast member was not received well by the cast members. The initial reaction of members was one of mistrust, and thought that if anything went wrong they would now be blamed. Management realized their mistake and held a brainstorming session in which cast members were invited to participate. The new plan of action was to teach each cast member about the values of the company, and the overall direction management was aiming for. In addition to these management type lessons, they also became involved in planning the new facilities to be built to handle the huge amounts of laundry. Management also setup a cross training program in which the cast members in charge of cleaning all of the laundry were trained and worked part-time in other areas of Walt Disney World where they could see first-hand the importance of the quality of their finished product, in this case clean linens.

Image via Wikipedia

Lee uses the textile department example to illustrate his first, and most important, leadership principle. He calls this principle “inclusion”. Inclusion is a widely used term that most often refers to the practice of respecting diversity. However, Lee explains that to be effective this principle should be taken further. In his use of the term inclusion, he means actively engaging and involving employees to show them that every single one of them is important to the success of the department, and the company as a whole.

Disney uses the acronym RAVE. This stands for Respect, Appreciate, and Value Everyone. This acronym defines Disney’s approach to inclusion. This management approach resulted in the industry’s lowest turnover rate. Not only was turnover down, but there were more people interested in working for Disney because they had the reputation for treating employees with respect.”

Image via Wikipedia

EXERPT FROM:

Summary and Review of Creating Magic by Lee Cockerel

Published by David C. Wyld Southeastern Louisiana University, January 26, 2010

October: Leadership Book To Read

Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney

“It’s not the magic that makes it work, it’s the way we work that makes it magic.”

A book by Lee Cockerell

Brief Synopsis:

“The secret for creating magic in our careers, our organizations, and our lives is simple: outstanding leadership the kind that inspires employees, delights customers, and achieves extraordinary business results.

No one knows more about this kind of leadership than Lee Cockerell, the man who ran Walt Disney World Resort operations for over a decade. And in Creating Magic, he shares the leadership principles that not only guided his own journey from a poor farm boy in Oklahoma to the head of operations for a multibillion dollar enterprise, but that also soon came to form the cultural bedrock of the world s number one vacation destination. But as Lee demonstrates, great leadership isn t about mastering impossibly complex management theories….” (Barnes & Noble)

10 Strategies

1. Remember, everyone is important.
2. Break the mold.
3. Make your people your brand.
4. Create magic through training.
5. Eliminate hassles.
6. Learn the truth.
7. Burn the free fuel.
8. Stay ahead of the pack.
9. Be careful what you say and do.
10. Develop character.

Publisher’s Weekly

“….The author’s engaging storytelling brings life and infectious energy to this entertaining and inspiring book, which outlines the processes and rationale behind Disney’s employee-driven ethos. Each chapter expounds on the Disney Formula for Success, which Cockerell sums up as “great leadership leads to employee excellence, which leads to customer satisfaction and strong business results.” Cockerell’s willingness to use his management gaffes as examples not only makes him a likeable narrator but also a credible leader, offering up a mesmerizing view of a career devoted to excellence in customer service, employee empowerment, organizational improvement and responsive leadership.”
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DFYIT Red Ribbon Run Oct. 23, 2010 1K, 5K, 10K Run/Walk

ARE YOU READY TO RUN……OR WALK?

The Annual DFYIT Red Ribbon Run is coming up on the horizon.  For casual walkers, family fitness fans and serious runners alike, the Red Ribbon Run is sure to be a fun-filled day.

We have a 1K and 5K Run/Walk and a 10K Run.  The 1K is open to all ages (kids under 12 may register at the event to run or walk free with no tshirt) and the 5K and 10K are open to anyone 12 and over. The race fee includes a t shirt to the first 200 to pre-register. Medals and prizes will be awarded.

Date

Saturday, October 23, 2010 @ 9:00 AM local time

Address

Green Tree Country Club
4900 Green Tree Blvd., Midland, TX 79707

Registration Fee

Registration Fee is posted on the online registration form and the printable registration form which you can find at the websites below.

LATE REGISTRATION: You can register on race day beginning at 8 a.m. Late registration fee is $20. T-shirts may not be available to late registrants.

Sign Up & Register Today!

Register Online at www.active.com OR

Go to www.pdap.org and download the printable registration form

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D-FY-IT (Drug Free Youth In Texas) is a voluntary program for youth to learn leadership skills and assist their peers to stay alcohol and drug free. Incentives and activities are offered to those who participate in staying drug-free. D-FY-IT Midland is a program of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program, Midland. Red Ribbon Week is a way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drug abuse. For more information about D-FY-IT, PDAP, or the Red Ribbon Run, call (432)685-3645.