introducing the first year's theme, My Values, to the Beta group of 50 10th grade ... The Fall. Forum, a one-day seminar
Olympia’s Leaders’ Advisors Olympia’s Leaders’ Advisors (OLAs) are the heart of the Institute’s research-based, 3-year curriculum for Maine High School girls—or Olympia’s Leaders (OLs). OLAs are women from across the state who want to connect meaningfully with Maine girls and facilitate activities and conversations designed to elevate their confidence and raise their aspirations. Not only do OLAs advise the OLs through the monthly meetings and activities, but also share their personal experiences—stories the girls tell us are very meaningful and reassuring to them. Hear from current OLAs in this short video. The Institute’s Mission The mission of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute is to elevate the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them build the leadership, collaboration and problem solving skills needed to become successful in their lives, families, careers and communities. The Need The Institute completed its remarkably successful first year of operation at the end of 2015 and is making progress toward its mission. During the first year, we began a beta test of the three-year program by introducing the first year’s theme, My Values, to the Beta group of 50 10th grade girls—known as Olympia’s Leaders or OLs—from the seven high schools serving Androscoggin County, Olympia’s home county. The Fall Forum, a one-day seminar on this theme in November 2015, was a tremendous foundation for their focus for the remainder of the academic year in monthly meetings at their schools. These meetings are the cornerstone of the program, made so by the women who have volunteered their time and experience to serve as Olympia’s Leaders’ Advisors, facilitating these meetings and supporting the OLs as they progress through the year. In fall 2016, this Beta group will work with us to test the 11th grade program—My Voice—and they will do the same in Fall 2017 for My Vision, the 12th grade theme. The success of the first year has encouraged us to expand the program statewide to reach more girls. During 2016, we will bring the program to a school in every county in the state, adding 14 new schools to the seven schools already participating. Each of the 21 schools will select five 10th grade girls to join the program for the three-year experience as the Class of 2019. Because of the importance to the OLs of their monthly interaction with their OLAs during the school year, we are seeking two OLAs per school for the cohort of 10th-grade girls, or 42 new OLAs from across Maine. The Opportunity As you can see from the comments of some of the current OLAs (attached), this has been a richly rewarding experience for them. They take seriously the impact their work is having on the OLs and have helped us to understand even better the skills and characteristics that are most important for an OLA. The Institute develops the program, including the monthly meeting topics to be covered, with assignments for the girls. The Institute also provides training and support for the OLAs to assist them as they deepen the participants’ connection to the themes of the Fall Forum in the monthly meeting. But it is apparent that the magic of the program is in the connection the OLs have with their OLAs and with other women in the Institute’s Networks that offer their support. For women drawn to working with girls at this stage of their development, passionate about the Institute’s mission and willing to commit the time and energy to this effort, being an OLA has deep and meaningful rewards for the OLA and the girls.
What Current Olympia’s Leaders’ Advisors Have to Say “The program was well organized and easy to present to the students. It is one of the more rewarding experiences that I’ve had in a few years. My experience with Cecelia Moody, my OLA partner, has been great. She’s a young professional and a very well organized individual that the girls relate to. Katelin Paquette from Lewiston High School was fantastic at organizing the girls from the selection process through attendance. Our girls were always excited to see us and well prepared. I am looking forward to the 2016/2017 year with the girls from Lewiston High School." – Catherine Lamson “It has been rewarding to observe and be part of the incredible development these young ladies have experienced through the Institute’s program this year. Working with them is such a bright spot and I am so glad to be a part of a program that truly makes a difference.” - Joanne Preble “I have really enjoyed building a relationship with our OL’s and engaging with them in thoughtful discussion around their values and personal commitments. I look forward to working with them over the next two years as they mature and together, find their voice and their vision.” - Susan Stacey “It is an honor to facilitate this transformative vision of Senator Snowe! The Institute provides a framework that allows us, the advisors, to facilitate self-discovery, encourage self-reflection and promote strategies for individual success as well as demonstrate value in being a part of a shared purpose. Being able to bring that framework to life has created a tangible hope in each of the young women involved.”- Maggie Davis
OLAs to call if you have questions about their experience Diane Cipollone , Cipollone Legal Consults LLC (410) 693-0943
[email protected] Maggie Davis, College for ME-Androscoggin (434) 426-4956
[email protected] Catherine Lamson, MEMIC (207) 791-3304
[email protected]
Joanne Preble, Dead River Company (207) 786-0386
[email protected]
Susan Stacey, Androscoggin Bank (207) 376-3564
[email protected]
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Olympia’s Leader’s Advisor: Position Description and Desired Characteristics The Advisor—or OLA—is the central connection the Institute has with the Olympia’s Leaders—or OLs—from the schools participating in the program. Schools recruit five 10th-grade girls each year to join the three-year program, completing the program when they graduate at the end of 12th grade. We plan to have two OLAs for each new group of 10th grade girls at each school and believe that maintaining the relationship between the group and their OLAs for all three years will benefit the OLs, increase retention, and ease the transition between grades in schools and the segments of the program (10th grade, My Voice; 11th grade, My Voice; 12th grade, My Vision). Responsibilities:
Provide a model of leadership for the OLs and facilitate the monthly meetings Ensure the topics defined for each month based on the theme for that grade are explored o The Institute provides a template for those discussions and support, where needed, for the topic. Follow-up with, and support, the OLs on their commitments for the year in monthly meetings Participate in monthly calls among OLAs to discuss the topic and agendas at the beginning of the month (prior to school meetings) Provide feedback on meetings and the program as requested by the Institute Maintain positive relations with the school through the School Liaison as needed Refer OLs to the school liaison for any issue/question that falls outside the parameters of the program and training provided Are available for Institute events including the annual Fall Forum in November and the end of year gathering in May Participate in OLA training in the summer for orientation to the program and skills review
Characteristics of a Successful OLA:
Passion for the mission of the Institute Ability and desire to work with this age group of girls (approximately 16 to 18) Good listener; sensitive to deeper issues that require referral to the School Contact Willingness to share personal experiences/stories with the OLs, including challenges faced and how handled at their ages Ability to facilitate meetings that encourage OL participation—shifting approach as needed to engage the group and respond to the girls’ needs Willing to allow the Institute to conduct a background check in accordance with the Institute’s policies and school requirements Willing to commit to the role for their group through all three years of the program
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Confirmed List of Participating High Schools 2016-2017
High School
City
County
Returning Beta Schools Edward Little High School Leavitt Area High School Lewiston High School Lisbon High School Oak Hill High School Poland Regional High School Spruce Mountain High School
Auburn Turner Lewiston Lisbon Falls Sabattus Poland Jay
Androscoggin Androscoggin Androscoggin Androscoggin Androscoggin Androscoggin Franklin
New Schools Houlton High School Portland High School Ellsworth High School Winslow High School Camden Hills Regional High School Medomak Valley High School Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Bangor High School Piscataquis Community High School Morse High School Skowhegan Area HS Belfast Area High School Calais Middle/High School Biddeford High School
Houlton Portland Ellsworth Winslow Rockport Waldoboro South Paris Bangor Guilford Bath Skowhegan Belfast Calais Biddeford
Aroostook Cumberland Hancock Kennebec Knox Lincoln Oxford Penobscot Piscataquis Sagadahoc Somerset Waldo Washington York
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Next Steps If the prospect of being an OLA appeals to you, we invite you to complete a short, online questionnaire to indicate your interest. A representative of the Institute will reach out to you no later than July 8, 2016. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact: Carolyn Schuster, Outreach Coordinator
[email protected] 207-774-4776 Key dates:
May/June
OLA candidates respond to questionnaire
June/early July
OLA finalists selected; background checks performed
July 15
OLA assignments finalized; OLAs notified
July 31
OLAs confirmed; online training opens
August 31
Online OLA training complete
September 30
In-person training complete (if needed)
October
First meeting/breakfast with Olympia’s Leaders and parents
Oct/Nov
First meetings of OLAs with their OLs in advance of the Fall Forum
November 10
Full-day Fall Forum at University of Maine, Orono
Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm for the Snowe Leadership Institute!
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