June 3, 2008

Troy University to play host to Youth Leadership Forum June 8-12

TROY – Thirty-five high school students with disabilities will get lessons in how state government works and take part in team-building and leadership exercises as a part of the Alabama Governor’s Youth Leadership Forum at Troy University, June 8-12.

Some 35 volunteer staff members made up of TROY students and former YLF student delegates will join 15 health professionals, hearing-impaired interpreters and instructors on June 6-7 for training and orientation.

The Forum is co-sponsored by the University’s Institute for Leadership Development, the Alabama Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Alabama Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation, the Alabama Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the Montgomery Center for Independent Living, the Alabama Department of Education and Troy University.

“Troy University is again pleased to cooperate with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services in sponsoring this very worthwhile Youth Leadership Forum,” said TROY Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. “It’s truly a beneficial conference because it helps these students further develop the skills necessary to better cope with the world around them.”

The Forum will include large- and small-group discussions of topics ranging from self-support to the challenges of leadership.

“We focus on teambuilding, relationship skills, and teaching them how to be advocates for themselves and others with disabilities,” said Dr. John Kline, the Institute for Leadership Development’s director. “One of our goals is to show these young people they can achieve things even with a disability. Some of these students have never been away from home before; this is a great opportunity for them to have new experiences.”

On June 11, delegates will travel to Montgomery to meet with Legislative leaders at the Alabama State House, tour the State Capitol and meet with Gov. Bob Riley. From there, delegates will attend a Mentors Luncheon at the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s Activity Center where they will hear from guest speakers who have overcome the challenges of disabilities.

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Youth Leadership Forum schedule

Sunday, June 8
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
RECEPTION-WELCOME
Trojan Center Ball Room A & B

3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
Trojan Center Ball Room A & B

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
DELEGATE ORIENTATION
Trojan Center- 212, 213, 224, 231

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
PARENT ORIENTATION
Trojan Center Ball Room B

6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
SELF ADVOCACY
Trojan Center Ball Room

7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
TEAM. BUILDING EXERCISE
Trojan Center

8:15 - 8:45 p.m.
DISABILITY HISTORY
Trojan Center

8:45 - 10:00 p.m.
TEAM. BUILDING EXERCISE
Trojan Center

Monday, June 9
8:45-11:00 a.m.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
Trojan Center Rooms 212, 213, 224, 231

11:15-12:45 p.m.
LUNCH & TABLE ETIQUETTE
Trojan Center

1:00 – 3:15 p.m.
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Trojan Center

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
TEAM. BUILDING ACTIVITY
Trojan Center

4:45- 8:00 p.m.
SWIM, EAT, PLAY
Natatorium Pool

8:00 -10:00 p.m.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY
Pool./Natatorium/Gym


Tuesday, June 10
8:45 –10:00 a.m.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
Trojan Center Rooms 212, 213, 224, 231

10:15-12:00 noon
PANEL: LIVING ON MY OWN
Trojan Center Ballroom

12:00 –1:00 p.m.
LUNCH WITH PANEL MEMBERS
Trojan Center

1:15-1:45 p.m.
SMALL GROUPS
Trojan Center Rooms 212, 213, 224, 231

2:00-5:00 p.m.
SURFING THE JOB NET
Eldridge Hall

5:15-7:00
YLF PICNIC
Shackelford Quad

7:00-8:00 p.m.
TEAM. BUILDING ACTIVITY
Shackelford Quad

8:15- 9:30 p.m.
PREPARE FOR TALENT SHOW
MSCX

Wednesday, June 11
7:45-9:00 a.m.
TRAVEL TO MONTGOMERY

9:00-10:30 a.m.
MEET WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
Alabama State House

10:00-12:00 noon
TOUR CAPITOL AND MEET WITH THE GOVENOR

12:00-12:30 p.m.
TRAVEL TO RSA ACTIVITY CENTER

12:30-2:30 p.m.
MENTOR LUNCHEON
Activity Center

2:45-4:00 p.m.
TRAVEL TO TROY UNIVERSITY

4:00-5:00 p.m.
PREPARE FOR TALENT SHOW

6:00-11:00 p.m.
TALENT SHOW & DANCE
Stadium Club

Thursday, June 12
9:00-10:30 a.m.
TEAM. BUILDING EXERCISE
Trojan Center

10:45-12:00 noon
SMALL GROUP SESSION
Trojan Center Rooms 212, 213, 224, 231

12:15-12:45 p.m.
LUNCH
Trojan Center Ball Room A & B

1:00-3:00 p.m.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
Trojan Center Ball Room A & B