LeaderSpark
Please note that the 2012 LeaderSpark program has been cancelled due to insufficient funding. We are hopeful that grants can be obtained in the coming year so that we can offer this program again in 2013.
"LeaderSpark trains Saratoga County students in leadership qualities"
"Some people are born leaders — others learn leadership. For a group of area high school students, the hope is to become one of the latter if they aren’t already the former. Sophomores and juniors from several area high schools have been attending a six-week leadership course held by the League of Women Voters called Leaderspark. 'The goal is to find students who have great leadership potential and we give them the skills they need,' said Kristen Overholt, Leaderspark coordinator and member of the League. 'The leadership skills they develop they can bring back immediately to their school community and eventually they will bring into our community.'"
The League of Woman Voters of Saratoga County offers a unique leadership training program to interested high school sophomores and juniors. The LeaderSpark curriculum is designed to enhance the leadership skills of youth through high quality, interactive skill-building workshops to produce strong emerging leaders. It utilizes a practical, proven leadership curriculum, specially designed sequenced topics, youth-driven discussions, and hands-on interactive activities.
LeaderSpark (www.leaderspark.org) consists of a six-session series of afternoon 3-hour workshops in late winter and early spring, generally starting in March.
LeaderSpark Curriculum topics include:- Qualities and styles of leadership
- Working with groups
- Planning projects
- Dealing with conflict
- Presenting yourself: public speaking and interviewing
- Recognition and celebration
- Obtaining volunteer hours for community service
- Having a national leadership program on your college or work resume
- Gaining self confidence, by practicing skills you need to organize projects, deal with stress and conflict, work in teams, and speak in front of groups
- Working with adult facilitators to develop a meaningful community service project
- Having the opportunity to be chosen to attend the League’s Students Inside Albany conference for a comprehensive look at State government, including three days in Albany with state legislators.
Recently retired teachers conduct the sessions with the assistance of community volunteers. Student participants have been drawn from the following Saratoga County High Schools: Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Mechanicville, Saratoga Springs, Schuylerville, Shenendehowa, Spa Catholic, Stillwater and Waterford.