It’s A Girl Thing 2009-2010

“The Leadership Years”

IAGT programs will take place on Sunday afternoons.  These groups will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.  Each month one of the participants will serve as hostess for the meeting. There will be eight gatherings this year.

An e-invitation will be sent out a couple of weeks before the program to inform you of the location.  Here are the dates  and themes for each meeting this year:

Cheshvan-November 8, 2009–Opening Month Me, Myself, and Us

In the opening month, participants will have an opportunity to reconnect with one another, to begin exploring the meaning of leadership. Together, participants will write a ketubah, a community covenant that will help them define both what they will bring to the group and what they hope to take from the experience.

Come Together: Review of Group Guidelines and reconnecting game

Leadership 101: Introduction to leadership and leadership roles

Creating Covenant: Creation and decoration of a group ketubah

Kislev-December 6, 2009-Inside Out

This session will draw upon the High Holiday themes of self-reflection and commitment to authenticity. We will use some well-known Jewish texts to initiate a discussion of both personal and communal needs and the personal and communal voice. Participants will be lead through a series of meditation exercises meant to help each one find, or connect to, her inner voice

If I Am Not For Myself: Reading and discussion

Who’s Your Rebbe?: Dramatization and discussion

Finding a Space for Your Inner Voice: Guided meditation, individual

reflection and writing

Lessons in Leadership: Conversation about how it feels to step

into leadership

Tevet-January 10, 2009- Women and Style

Tevet is the one month on the Jewish calendar that contains no holidays. Girls will fill in this “empty” month with the foundations of both Judaism and leadership. Through learning about two women leaders of the labor movement, girls will examine different leadership styles. Participants will assess their leadership ability and desire in different settings. They will learn that one does not need to be at the front of the room in order to lead.

The Machine: Theater warm-up game exploring labor issues

Leading Questions: Re-enactment of women labor leaders’ roles and

discussion of leadership styles

Where We Stand: Self-assessment of leadership styles

Shvat-February 14, 2009- Can you hear me now?

This month is all about communication. Girls will learn about and practice active listening. They will assess how they approach conflict and explore the difference between passivity, assertiveness, and aggression. Through role play scenarios, they will use their new found skills and knowledge to work through conflicts they might confront as high school leaders in both social and

organizational settings.

Listen Up: Role play and discussion on active listening

Apples or Oranges? Self-assessment quiz on conflict style

What Would You Do? Role play on managing conflict

Adar-March 7, 2009-Let There Be Light

During the month of Kislev—using the story of Hanukkah as a platform—we will open the door for a discussion of the sacred and profane, (or holy and ordinary). Girls will delve into elevating the everyday through the study and creation of blessings. They will explore how Jewish values influence leadership.

The Sacred and the Profane: The story of Chaya Hammer or Myriam Mendilow

I Resemble that Remark: Self-reflection on Jewish values and personal leadership styles

Counting your Blessings: Group discussion and writing

Sharing Your Light: Votive Candle craft

 Nissan-April 11, 2009-Risky Business

This month is all about taking risks. They will discover and sharpen their own internal sense of safety in risk taking by playing a series of improvisational theater games. They will discuss personal safety nets, which buffer risk, and craft a visual representation of their own support network.

Risky Business: An inventory and discussion about personal risk taking

The Game’s the Thing: Theater games which promote risk-taking

in a supportive environment

O’ the Tangled Web We Weave: Craft project simulating a safety net

Nissan- April 18 - Yom HaAtzmaut Community Celebration- Girls Participate!

Sivan May 23-Blessed Are You When You Go?

This month with be part culmination, part celebration. Girls will have the opportunity to review what they have accomplished as leaders. They will revisit the Wonderful Women they have met throughout the year and commit to the next steps they will take as leaders. They will close the evening by bestowing blessings on one another.

My First Steps: Group discussion

Someone to Watch Over Me: Reflection and sharing

Clip Art: Creation of a keepsake

Celebration: Planned and executed by the girls