School can be a very stressful part of your life, especially if you’re in high school. You have to balance homework, family, studying, friends, any extra activities you’re involved in, not to mention preparing for the the dreaded “SAT”. I know from my own experience that if I do only school without leaving time to relax or see my friends, I get really stressed out. However, if all I do is socialize, then I end up falling behind in school and my grades pay for it.
How can you maintain a balanced lifestyle without pulling all-nighters, getting stressed out, or turning gray before you graduate? I can’t claim to be an expert on this subject; I’m still trying to figure out what schedule works the best for me, but I can share a couple tips that seem to ease the stress that school seems to bestow upon us.
One of the most helpful things you can do is to find out the deadlines for your assignments and get to work right away! It’s better to be done with the assignment early instead of staying up all night the day before it’s due. Be sure to constantly study and take notes, so when a test comes up you’ll only have to review instead of reading the entire book from cover to cover. This habit can also be very handy when there is a pop quiz! As important as school is however, you still need to make some time to do something you enjoy. Try to set aside a bit of time every day to relax; whether that means reading a book, watching your favorite TV show, or lounging in your room listening to music. A little relaxation will cut down on stress and make the day more enjoyable.
Something that helps make my week more bearable is making plans for something at the end of the week. Having plans gives me something to look forward to after a week of working really hard. One of the biggest things that you should do when planning your schedule for school is to ask an older sibling, a parent, or mentor what they would suggest. They have already gone through what you’re going through right now and they might have some valuable input that could make a huge difference!
In the end, remember that the choices you make now can affect everything that happens to you in the future. Do your best, enjoy the journey and everything will fall into place!
-Katie Kane

The following blog was written by Kate Kane. A Girls Take Charge past participant who know blogs monthly for the Learning to Lead site.

Why do we lack strong role models for high school girls? Why does our society seem to esteem female celebrities who don’t care what type of impact they have on future generations? So many of these beautiful, talented women started out simply wanting to follow their dreams, but eventually sold themselves into a shallow, corrupt industry that is more about money than making a difference.
Rihanna is one example, she is very talented and popular, yet she still thinks that she has to settle for a guy that is going to abuse her and not respect her for who she is. Beyonce has one of the most beautiful voices of our time, yet she thinks that the only way she can sell her music is by using her body to market her albums. Miley Cyrus started out as a star on “The Disney Channel’s” hit show Hannah Montana, and eventually became a pop music icon. At first she seemed like a good role model, until she began doing drugs, partying, and posing with no clothes on. Yet girls still look up to Miley, Rihanna, and Beyonce and support them by buying their music, clothes, movies, etc. These celebrities are not healthy role models for anyone to look up to! Girls should be looking up to confident, healthy, and self respecting women; women who inspire girls to be the best they can be. These women should respect themselves enough to realize they have talent; that they don’t need to sell themselves short for a little more time in the limelight, or to appeal to more fans. We should want to aspire to become women who reach for their dreams and won’t compromise themselves for the sake of fame and fortune. Girls should not think that the lifestyles of these women are healthy or normal.
What female celebrities are good role models? Many people have different opinions on this; I think in the long run, girls should observe what female celebrities do on and off stage. What type of movies have the played in? What type of music do they sing? Do they try to help others? Are they over obsessive with their looks? Do they have the same type of convictions you have? Not that they have to be perfect, because everyone makes mistakes, but they should at least try to be good examples.
Two female celebrities I look up to are Taylor Swift, and Claire Danes. I look up to Taylor Swift because she’s very classy, her music always seems to apply to what I’m going through, and as much as she is in the tabloids, she has never let the pressure cause her to be something she’s not. I also look up to Claire Danes (she played Cossette in the 1998 version of Les Miserable) because she too is classy, and although she has been in many movies she seems to avoid the limelight. There are many other female celebrities I look up to but Taylor Swift and Claire Danes are at the top of my list.
As hard as it is to find good role models for girls in today’s society, it is not impossible. There are still some female celebrities that care about what type of message they are sending to their fans. Don’t simply settle for looking up to a celebrity who is shallow, and only cares about how much her Prada bag cost. Look up to someone who will inspire you to reach for your dreams and be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.
-Katherine E. Kane – 2/11

I read an interesting article the other day (link is below) about a mega marathon runner who discovered that when signing up for a mega marathon she would not be able to use her IPod during the race.  First of all I cannot imagine running 50 miles to begin with and then to not have music as a source of inspiration?  Instead of quitting or giving up on the idea of doing this mega marathon, she created a list of 50 inspirational people and dedicated a mile of her run to each of these people. When she was running a particular mile she would think about that person and use that person’s courage, determination, leadership as a source of inspiration for her to complete that mile. 

I was thinking what a great exercise (no pun intended) this is for any of us to do when we face a challenge we do not want to undertake and/or feel a little overwhelmed doing so.  Surrounding ourself with thoughts and pictures of people who have inspired us through their courage and determination can most certainly carry us through a challenge we may be facing.   So I am starting to make my list of “50″ some famous, some not.  Who would be on your list?

See the full article below…

http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/20110103_Going_distance_-_literally_-_for_her_inspirations.html

Below is an article that appeared in the Ithaca Journal on 12/30/10 from Katie Kane one of our Girls Take Charge participants.  We appreciate her honest program experience comments and are happy for her as an aspiring journalist to have her work printed!   As the founder of Girls Take Charge, I often get the comment that I must be a Feminist and if the definition of that is for equal rights then yes.  I thought it was interesting to read some of the comments driven from Katie’s article about “male bashing”.   My father, mother, husband and four siblings are by far my greatest supporters in the work Girls Take Charge is doing.  And yes that would make 4 males and 3 females.   Girls Take Charge is not about male bashing but instead making sure that girls and young women feel confident and have the leadership tools to reach their goals and dreams.  Enjoy the article!

Conference teaches girls to “Take Charge”

Ithaca News Journal

December 30, 2011

Last year, I attended the Girls Take Charge Leadership Conference at Binghamton University. My father works for Raymond Corporation in Greene; Raymond paid for three girls to attend the conference, and I had the privilege of being selected.

I went to the conference expecting to be ambushed by messages of “girl power” and female supremacy, but I have to admit, I was very pleasantly surprised. The conference included activities to help each girl discover her strengths and passions, make a difference in the world and become leaders. There also were speakers, including state Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, a fashion designer from New York City and several BU students, each of whom encouraged the girls to reach for their dreams and try to make a difference in the world.

The whole day was so much more than a conference. We were able to meet new friends, become better leaders and learn how to work together as a team. One of the group activities entailed creating, as a team, a T-shirt for a girl affected by the earthquake in Haiti. We incorporated words in the girl’s own language that would encourage and empower her to be the best she could be. Not only did the activity teach us how to work as a team, but also how to help others.

I learned a lot about others and myself during that day, and I am very excited that I have the chance to attend this year’s conference, to be held Jan. 29 at BU. Although registration will be taken up until the day of the event, I highly recommend that you register as soon as possible. I cannot wait to see what they have planned for us! For more information, contact BU at (607) 777-6857, or register online at http://ceo.binghamton.edu/ continuing-education/non-credit-programs/youth-programs.php (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Kane is a Chenango Forks resident.

We all seem to enjoy facts and statistics.  The facts presented by Professor McNutly below are certainly interesting ones to consider especially as we enter a new decade.  Is progression being made?

In leading women, U.S. lags

By Stephanie McNulty

With last weekend’s inauguration of Dilma Rousseff as Brazil’s first female president, the United States fell farther behind the hemisphere’s trend toward diverse, inclusive government. The disparity is important because women in power are more likely than men to push policies that promote equality.

After she was elected with 56 percent of the vote, Rousseff said, “I would like very much today for fathers and mothers of daughters to look in their eyes and tell them, ‘Yes, a woman can.’ ” She has promised to advocate reforms that reduce poverty, increase equality, and improve the lives of families and children.

Brazil’s election stands in stark contrast to our November congressional elections, after which the number of women holding seats and leadership positions declined. Furthermore, five women have become elected heads of state in Central and South America since 1990, while not one woman has been a major party’s presidential nominee in the United States.

In addition, about 24 percent of government ministers in Latin America are women, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, as are 18.5 percent of the members of lower legislative houses and unicameral legislatures. Women held only 21 percent of U.S. cabinet positions in 2008, and they make up only 16.8 percent of the outgoing Congress, according to the United Nations.

The United States is ranked 72d for female legislative representation, below Cambodia, Ecuador, Mozambique, and Uganda. The share of state governors who are women is less than in Ecuador, Chile, Honduras, and Panama.

This means Latin American girls and women contemplating running for office have more role models than their northern counterparts. Electing women to office also improves the quality of life of women and their families. Leslie Schwindt-Bayer of the University of Missouri has shown that female Latin American leaders are more likely to introduce legislation that improves women’s health, promotes education for women and girls, and increases penalties for workplace sexual harassment.

This is not to imply that further improvements are not needed for women in Latin America. My research has shown that Peruvian women are not adequately represented in local-level forums in which budgets and development are discussed and debated. In many of the region’s countries, very few women are elected to subnational government positions such as mayoralties or governorships, and women are often excluded from important legislative committees. But important strides have nevertheless been made.

American society is not immune to gender inequalities, and it would certainly benefit from electing more women to office. It’s time to take an honest look at why that’s not happening.

Many countries have increased the number of women in politics through mandated gender quotas, leadership training programs, and political-party reforms. While such policies are worth considering, we also need to seriously consider female candidates on their own terms. As long as they are portrayed primarily as witches, bitches, or bimbos, we will continue to fall behind our neighbors in this crucial aspect of a healthy democracy.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20110104_In_leading_women__U_S__lags.html#ixzz1AArieTlo
Watch sports videos you won’t find anywhere else

About a year ago, I had the pleasure to briefly meet and converse with Robin Quivers about girls and leadership.  Her leadership skills are much to be admired.  Her strength, determination, and appreciation for life are just a few of the leadership skills that shine.  She has made quite a sacrfice by committing herself to run in the NYC Marathon this weekend for a very important cause.   Her leadership journey to do this for others is a very interesting and inspirational read.   It certainly makes me wonder if I am truly doing enough to make a bigger impact and do enough to create positive change.   A big congratulations to Robin for doing this!  You can follow along Robin’s journey at http://www.more.com/2049/24745-robin-quivers-nyc-marathon-blog

By Maribeth Minella, Esq, Learning to Lead Board Member

Friday’s Harvard Business Review posted an ironically short-but-sweet post on Kevin Starr.

Starr is the executive director of the Mulago Foundation which channels investments to socially-minded companies. 

The article highlighted how Starr finds companies to invest in. His advice is spot-on for emerging leaders, as well.  Starr insists that the companies his foundation invest in have an eight-word mission statement. 

The goal is to keep companies focused on the following format:  verb, target, outcome.  In the case of Learning to Lead, the mission statement would be:  “Create, enhance, and develop leadership skills in student.”   For our leaders, the mission would be:  “Make a positive impact on my community.”

Starr’s advice also rings true for any leader who sets out to identify and solve a problem. 

1. First, identify the problem (i.e., the target).
2. Next, indentify the verb which best describes how you will tackle the problem. 
3. Finally, state in less than two to three words, the outcome.

For example, “Increase membership in my organization by asking current members to bring a friend to the next meeting.” 

The next time you are faced with a leadership issue, whether it is focusing your organization’s purpose or solving an issue, think of Starr’s eight-word mission statement. 

Maribeth L. Minella, Esq., is a member of Learning to Lead’s Board of Directors and practices employment law for employers at the law firm Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP in Wilmington, Delaware.