Oklahoma Teen Leadership Training Program

 

Requirements for Membership                            

 

A.  Be in grades 9-12, and submit application, which has been:

  1. processed and signed by the sponsoring Pathfinder Club Director
  2. recommended by the church pastor
  3. Accepted by the Oklahoma Conference TLT Committee

 

B. Application to be renewed, accepted, and registered annually.

C. Actively participate in leadership skill development assignments.

D. Personality traits promoted by Christian ethics and the TLT Pledge must be an integral part of the participant's lifestyle.

 

Goals

To help teens experience their developmental needs by making them feel:

  1. A sense of achievement
  2. A sense of responsibility
  3. A sense of respect for authority
  4. A sense of acceptance in adult leadership circles
  5. A sense of life skills      

                                          

Objectives

A.  Encourage TLT members to belong to the church and to actively participate in leadership in the church/conference Pathfinder ministry.

 

B.  Involve TLT members as associates with Pathfinder adult leadership, holding responsible positions in local and Conference Pathfinder ministries.

 

C.  Challenge TLT members in the mission and ministry of Christ through Pathfindering, making God's Word meaningful and fruitful in their lives.

 

D. Encounter skill‑building opportunities through positive communication and friendship networks created to increase resilience to peer pressure, increase self‑efficiency, and self­-esteem.

 

The TLT Program

The TLT program is a four‑year course designed to include all aspects of Pathfinder club management, programming operations, and encourage teens to explore and develop their talents in leadership, planning and social  skills.

 

The program gives the TLT member permission to experience Pathfinder leadership under adult supervision.

 

The program uses six major departments of a club as training sections. These include: Administrative, Finance/Clerical, Camping/Activities, Outreach, Counseling, and AY Classwork/Honors.  Within each of these operations are several service areas that must be completed. Some clubs, due to size or location, will not require completion of all items under each section.

The key to the success of the TLT program is clear and ample communication. There must be effective and frequent communication between the TLT member and the Pathfinder club leadership.

 

 

Club TLT Mentor:

Each club should have someone other than a relative,  responsible for overseeing the TLTs within their club.  Person can be the Director, Associate Director or a staff member who will coordinate with the Conference TLT Coordinator.   This person will mentor TLT throughout the training period.


The TLT Program and the Pathfinder Club

The TLT program is for those in grades 9‑12 who wish to advance into leadership positions. The program is optional, and some teen Pathfinders may choose not to take part.

 

TLTs are not to form a separate club. They are members of a Pathfinder club.

In club formation, TLTs should join a regular teen unit, or if numbers allow, they could form a separate unit.

 

In parades or other dress formations, TLTs should form at the rear of columns, between the Pathfinders and the staff.

 

 

Leadership Skill Development Program

A. Pathfinder Club Leadership Skill Development

1. attend staff meetings

2. accept leadership responsibilities

a. club programming

b. associate staff member

                        c. teach AY Pathfinder curriculum

B. Conference Leadership Skill Development

1. assist in Conference Pathfinder Camporee

2. assist in Conference Pathfinder Fair

3. assist in Conference special events

4. assist in marketing Pathfinder ministry

5. attend Conference Pathfinder leadership training

6. assist in Union/Conference special events

C. Union Leadership Skill Development

1.      attend Union Pathfinder leadership training

2.      assist Union special events 

 

 

What do I need to do to get my TLT program started?

 

Take a look at your club; are there some older pathfinders who would like to help out?  Then you may want to try the Teen Leadership Program (TLT). 

Remember, this program is optional and not every teen will want to do it, also they must apply, be recommended and be accepted by the Oklahoma Conference TLT Committee. 

 

  1. Order a Teen Leadership Training Guide from AdventSource or the Adventist Book Center.   Review training guide.
  2. Select a staff member to be a mentor to the TLTs.
  3. Have potential TLT submit program application.  
  4. Have potential TLT submit 3 recommendations.     
  5. After Conference approves TLTs, then order
    1. Red with black inlay TLT braided cord
    2. TLT patch
    3. Teen Leadership name strip
  6. Attend TLT training as required
  7. Maintain contact with conference TLT coordinator.

 

 

What do I need to do to maintain my TLT program?

 

1.  Review the six operational departments for TLTs:

Assign two of the operational departments for the TLT to work during the year.  Review operational department evaluations for the area and sign off upon completions of duties.  After completions of the department, TLT moves on to the second department.

 

2.  TLT must complete requirements for the standard AY classwork for the grade level of the TLT

 

3.  Maintain a TLT checklist for each TLT; sign off upon completion of duties.

4.  Attend training and participate in conference events.

 

 

 

Oklahoma TLT Coordinator

Juan (Johnny)  Flores