Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE

 

Objectives:

• To share information about themselves to others in the group
• To develop or define the group
• To begin to see how each participant is linked to the group, to each other, and to the rest of their community
  

Activity Theme:

“Give me knowledge so that I may have kindness for all.”

~ Mary Engelbreit, 1999

The facilitator asks the young people what websites they like to visit. What do they like about them? Would they like to develop a website? What would they put on it about themselves or their organization or community?

The facilitator explains they will be creating a “Paper Web Site.” The definition of “Web Site” is an electronic collection of documents. With this definition in mind, the group will develop a collection of documents about themselves and their organization or community.

 

Activity:

The facilitator explains that there should be at least two compo¬nents to the web site. It is important to link the section between the organization and YOU, since participants are its members.

1. One section should describe the organization: What is its Mission? How does the organization serve the community?
2. The second section is to describe “YOU” as an individual. What should the group know about you? What do you like to do in the organization and/or community?

The web site can say anything, look like anything, and can be connected to anything the youth want. However, there should be some common components. All web sites should:

• Give the name of the person and organization and provide a brief description
• Explain why the person and organization are unique and give some sense of history
• Describe what YOU as a person do and what the organization does
• List other important people to YOU and to the organization
• Use graphics and “hot links” (links are words or phrases that instantly connect the viewer to another page)
• Other components decided by the group

INDIVIDUAL WEBSITE
The facilitator suggests that each participant begin with the development of his or her own web site, keeping in mind that it needs to link to the organization site. The participants are given several sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 construction or copying paper. They will use this for their “home page.” The information that might be listed on other pages of the web site should be written on post-it notes and attached to the home page. Home pages can be connected by yarn. Participants can use the magazines for graphics or use their own original ideas. Markers and crayons are provided. At least one of the home pages should connect with the organization.

ORGANIZATION WEBSITE
The facilitator divides the participants into groups of four to six. Each group is given several sheets of flipchart paper; several for practice and one for the home page. Each group is given an assignment to develop a specific home page.

• One group describes the organization: its mission, founders, etc.
• One group describes several of the programs and events in the organization
• One group describes the fundraising activities of the organization
• One group describes the members who belong to the organization

When all groups have completed their website, the facilitator asks them to post the sites on the wall. Participants should decide where they “link or connect” with the organization: as a member, as part of a program or event, or as a contributor. They should place their website by that home page and connect it with yarn.

 

Processing:

The facilitator asks the participants to review their own home pages and the organizational home pages.

1. Where did you connect/link with the organization?
2. Does the organizational home page invite other people viewing it to join the programs and activities of the organization? Become members of the organization?
3. Does the home page explain why YOU, as an individual, were attracted to the organization?
4. What else needs to be included about the organization? Anything you want to add about yourself?
5. How do you think the founders of the organization, many years ago, told people about it?
6. How will the Internet change the way that people are involved in their community?
7. Who has used the Internet to research an issue they were concerned about in the community?
8. Who has used the Internet to link with other individuals or organizations that had similar concerns?

VARIATIONS

1. The facilitator might have a computer available for the training so the participants can view several web sites as they plan their own. If the organization has access to an ISP, the groups might be able to construct an actual web site.
2. The facilitator might find a participant who is skilled in computer technology to take the individual’s home pages and type them up in a computer. Pictures of each person could be scanned into the computer for the home page if this available. This can be shared with the large group.
3. The participants can use the same material and process to create ISSUE home pages. The participants can either do research during the training session using newspapers, magazines or other available resources or do research between sessions for the program. The ISSUES websites can be used to make presentations to parents, community leaders, organization staff and directors, and others about the concerns of young people.
   
   • Brainstorm a list of issues that young people are concerned about in their community and/or organization.
   • Have participants select the top issues (this can vary with the size of the group).
   • Divide participants according to the issues and have them create a home page for each issue. Their pages can have links to pages with the topics of:
     • Causes of the Issue
     • Organizations working on the issue in the news
     • Government policy regarding the issue
     • History of the issue
     • Youth involvement in the issue

Application: