🌟 Youth Leadership Action Plan
Unit 6: Future Rangatiratanga
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini."
My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective. - Young leaders building our collective future
🌱 What is Youth Leadership?
Youth leadership isn't about waiting until you're older to make change. It's about using your voice, skills, and passion RIGHT NOW to create the future you want to see.
🎤 Advocate
Speak up for causes you believe in. Use your voice to educate others and challenge injustice.
🤝 Organizer
Bring people together. Build movements and create spaces for collective action.
💡 Innovator
Create new solutions. Use technology, art, or design to solve problems in fresh ways.
🌿 Kaitiaki
Protect what matters. Lead with cultural values and environmental responsibility.
Your challenge: Develop a 6-month action plan to lead change on an issue you care about.
1️⃣ Identify Your Issue
What issue or cause are you passionate about?
My Issue:
Examples: climate action, te reo revitalization, mental health, youth unemployment, Indigenous rights, LGBTQ+ equality, affordable housing
Why does this matter to you personally?
Who is most affected by this issue?
2️⃣ Define Your Goal
What specific change do you want to create in 6 months?
My SMART Goal: (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
💡 Examples of Good Goals:
- "Organize 3 school events to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma"
- "Start a weekly te reo club with 15+ students and create online resources"
- "Launch a social media campaign reaching 1,000+ people about Indigenous land rights"
- "Establish a community garden at school with 20 student volunteers"
3️⃣ Know Your Strengths & Resources
My Skills & Strengths:
E.g., public speaking, social media, organization, art/design, research, relationship-building
People Who Can Support Me:
E.g., teachers, kaumātua, friends, community leaders, parents/whānau
Resources I Can Access:
E.g., school spaces, social media platforms, funding, equipment
4️⃣ Your 6-Month Action Plan
Break your goal into specific, manageable steps:
Months 1-2: Build Foundation
Actions:
Months 3-4: Take Action
Actions:
Months 5-6: Expand & Sustain
Actions:
5️⃣ Anticipate Challenges
What obstacles might you face, and how will you overcome them?
Challenge 1:
Solution:
Challenge 2:
Solution:
Challenge 3:
Solution:
6️⃣ How Will You Measure Success?
Quantitative Measures: (Numbers/data)
E.g., number of people reached, events held, signatures collected, money raised
Qualitative Measures: (Impact/stories)
E.g., changed attitudes, new relationships, personal growth, community feedback
✅ Leadership Action Checklist
Track your progress each month:
🤔 Leadership Reflection
What leadership style(s) will you use? Why?
How does your action connect to rangatiratanga (sovereignty/leadership)?
What values will guide your leadership?
👩🏫 Teacher Notes
Learning Outcomes:
- Strategic planning and goal-setting skills
- Understanding of different leadership styles and approaches
- Practical experience in social change and activism
- Connection between individual action and collective movements
- Self-reflection and personal growth
Implementation Ideas:
- Have students present their plans to the class for peer feedback
- Schedule monthly check-ins to track progress and provide support
- Connect students with community mentors in their chosen issue area
- Document the journey with photos/videos for end-of-year showcase
- Celebrate successes and learn from challenges as a class
Assessment Criteria:
- Clarity and feasibility of goal and action plan
- Evidence of research and understanding of the issue
- Identification of resources and support networks
- Anticipation of challenges with realistic solutions
- Thoughtful reflection on leadership and values
- Most importantly: Evidence of ACTUAL action taken!