It is often said you get out what you put in and, for youth leaders, that's a prime example of words to live by.
Youth leader Glen Brocklebank of Chesterfield Inlet said he likes sharing in the success of youth and being a part of young people developing new skills and trying new things.
Brocklebank, 48, said a lot of time, he will simply ask the youth he is working with what they're interested in.
He said if they tell him they're interested in something he knows little about, he'll try to research it and figure it out.
SA国际影视传媒�I'll help them to whatever abilities I have and then try to connect them with people who can take them further,SA国际影视传媒� said Brocklebank.
SA国际影视传媒�I don't think it takes them out of their comfort zone to start interacting with someone new because, in the past, I usually started off with, 'hey, what do you want to do?' and if, for example, it's a sport I don't know much about, I'd tell them let's figure it out together.
SA国际影视传媒淪o, the relationship is not built upon me being better or knowing more than what's really going on. The relationship is built on me knowing how to find the answers and then helping them grow.
SA国际影视传媒�I've received more than I've given in this role in Chester.SA国际影视传媒�
In today's social climate, youth leaders have to be wary of any perceived wrong doing.
Brocklebank said he's governed by a code of ethics in his professional life that he tries to always live within.
In fact, he said, he tries to exemplify those ethics whenever possible.
SA国际影视传媒�As a youth leader, there are times when your words carry more influence than you may even be aware of, so you have to be aware of all the words you use.
SA国际影视传媒�So, I try to maintain a pretty even keel. I try to remain positive, think positive and see the glass as always half full, never half empty.
SA国际影视传媒�I just work with young people where they're at and explain to them where it could lead. Then I ask them what they want to do.
SA国际影视传媒�I try to stay within the boundaries of always being positive and being ethical. That, I think, is imperative when you're working, or interacting, with youth.SA国际影视传媒�
Brocklebank said what he gets back, personally, from working with youth is getting to watch them succeed.
He said that's a pretty-powerful motivator for him.
SA国际影视传媒�I try to, as much as possible, do things with them that I have some sort of affinity for, or interest in, as well. That, obviously, makes thing easier for all of us.
SA国际影视传媒�I have a pretty wide comfort range and I'm very comfortable with that. I'm not afraid to say, 'I don't know,' and we'll look things up and learn together.
SA国际影视传媒�That's part of what's allowed me to be successful because, often, people feel that they have to know everything, but I don't let on that I do. So, when we're learning something together, I get a lot out of it too.
SA国际影视传媒�I like watching success and building on it in any area. I like the feeling of being even a small part in some people's success and I don't see that changing, so I'll probably continue to work with youth for a long time to come yet.SA国际影视传媒�
