Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement

Purpose:

• To introduce the idea of “Holding in Trust” through a physical activity.
  

Activity:

1. Facilitator asks participants to hold hands and form a circle. Facilitator asks them to drop hands and face to the left, then
   take one step into the center.
2. Facilitator asks participants to keep taking one step in until the group is formed into a very tight, evenly rounded circle.
3. Facilitator explains that, for this activity to work, each must trust the people ahead and behind because just one distrusting person can cause the entire circle to fall. Note: Allow those who wish to “pass” to do so, but encourage total participation.
4. The facilitator begins the count of 1-2-3, and on the count of 3 asks everyone to sit down slowly. If it works, the entire circle will be in a “lap sit.” If it doesn’t, try again. After several tries, if it still doesn’t work, ask the group to try later. If it works, have the participants extend their arms.
   Variations: Have them move their arms up and down, clap over their heads or walk the circle (slowly!). If the trust is there, the lap sit will work.

Processing:

1. Who held you in trust in the circle? Who did you hold in trust? (Whose lap were you sitting on and who were you
   holding?) Begin to move the discussion beyond the Lap Sit activity.
2. Who has trusted you? —Names can be called out. Who has been a trustholder to you? Think first of your family,
   then your school and then your civic community. How did you know these people held you in trust or trusted you? Ask
   participants to write the name(s) of these people on a piece of paper. Ask them to share stories about these people with
   another participant.
3. Ask participants to think of being a trustholder for another. “You believe in them and have faith in them. They rely on you and have confidence in you. Who do you hold in trust?”
   Examples:
   - At home: Your baby sister, your dog
   - At school: Your friend, who entrusts you with a secret
   - In your civic community: The people on your paper route, the church group who expects cookies from you
   to sell at the bake sale
4. As the group is thinking of these examples, list them on a flipchart under these titles: Family, School and Community.
   - Why are they a trustholder? What does it mean to be a trustholder in a community? Review what has been posted on the flipchart for “Community.”
   - Ask the group to place something or someone they have held in trust on the reverse side of the notepaper.
   - Ask each person to share this with another participant.
   This activity should bring out participants’ gifts and talents and how they can be used as a trustee or trustholder for their community.

Variations/Options:

Another similar activity in the Youth As Trustees manual is“Synergy Lift, A Lift to the Future.” See Future section.