Advice From a Program Manager

 Hi everyone! 

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I wanted to take today’s blog to provide you all with advice from a program manager. For this blog, I sent Liz Townsend of BBMARI a few questions for her to dive into. For those who live outside of Rhode Island or Massachusetts (AKA those who have not had the privilege to work with Liz), Liz has worked with Best Buddies for four years and is one of the most caring and dedicated program managers you will ever come across. I have been so fortunate to work with Liz on countless projects, and Liz has helped provide me with many leadership opportunities and has undoubtedly helped me become more confident. Liz has an innate skill to help people and to listen well. She takes the time to get to know all of the Best Buddies members at her school, she has a unique talent. With all of this, I have the utmost amount of respect for Liz and wish every Buddies Buddies chapter could have their own Liz.  

Below are the questions and respective answers from Liz. Enjoy! 

What does being inclusive mean to you? 

“Being inclusive is an understanding that every single individual’s life holds value. In being inclusive of others, you demonstrate that you respect and value everyone, regardless of their differences or abilities. Each one of us is made up of unique traits and characteristics that serve to bring beauty, creativity, kindness, and ingenuity to this world. Embracing inclusivity means that you accept and recognize the inherent values in each person’s life while ensuring that they feel included and seen in your schools, communities, and in society as a whole.

Including others doesn’t need to be complicated. You can start small by introducing yourself to someone you may notice is often alone and strike up a conversation about school, hobbies, movies – anything! By sharing a kind, encouraging word or two, inviting them to hang out after school or work one day, you are showing that they matter and are seen. Never miss an opportunity to include others, you never know the profound impact it will make.”

What does leadership mean to you? 

“To me, leadership is more than just a position of authority. I believe that leadership is about taking responsibility for something, and giving that thing your full attention so that you can set goals and succeed in them. Effective leadership inspires, empowers and encourages others to feel that their presence and contributions are making a difference. In order to be successful at inspiring and empowering others, a leader needs to have the right reasons for taking on those responsibilities – are you motivated by self-interest or the interests of others? Many individuals often want to lead but may not necessarily understand the responsibility and impact that their words or actions can make on an individual’s life, on a school club, or even place of work. An empowering, responsible leader makes other members feel that their voice matters, which in turn means their members will be more motivated and driven to stay involved.

In addition, it is important to have a clear vision and direction for the group of individuals you are supporting. Setting a specific, overarching goal of what you are hoping to achieve as a club or organization, provides clarity and a path to success. It is important as well to make sure you are leading by example in order to show others how to achieve that goal. For instance, in the context of a Best Buddies chapter, if you are matching your peers in one-to-one friendships and explaining what a healthy Best Buddies friendship should look like, make sure you are also modeling that first-hand with your buddy, not just explaining it. If you are delegating tasks to your chapter officers, ensure that you are also taking on the same volume of work. If you want the rest of your team to be communicative and accomplish tasks by a certain date, be sure that you are also communicating frequently and are completing tasks by the deadline you’ve assigned. Strive to be the kind of leader that continuously models what you want for in others.”

What does having a successful chapter look like to you?

“There are a number of factors behind how I determine the success of a chapter. However, I believe one of the most crucial is a chapter’s ability to fully embrace and live out the mission of being inclusive and accepting of others. We want to see students who are intentionally and actively including their peers, not only within the chapter but throughout the school and the community. We want to see mutually-beneficial friendships grow and thrive throughout the years and for students of all abilities to feel seen and valued. A successful Best Buddies chapter should not be confined to the walls of a classroom, rather its mission should extend throughout the entirety of the school and community. Additionally, I believe that having a strong student leadership team, made up of individuals with and without IDD, sets the foundation for a chapter to thrive and drive the mission forward”

 

What is your favorite Best Buddies memory? 

“There are just so many to choose from! One of my absolute favorite memories was attending the “This is Me” Best Buddies Leadership Conference in 2018, with our phenomenal student leaders and participants. The energy and enthusiasm that came from that conference was absolutely mind-blowing. I laughed, cried and of course, danced. Connecting with our student leaders and hearing them share their heartfelt responses to discussions centered on inclusion and the empowerment of others, was nothing short of inspiring. I often look back on that conference, feeling incredibly privileged and humbled to have experienced such an awe-inspiring weekend, surrounded by individuals who deeply care about creating a more equitable and inclusive world.”

What would you recommend to students interested in applying to the YLC?  (It is NEVER too early to think about applying! Applications may have closed for this year, but there is always next year to get ready for :) ) 

“Go for it! Don’t be afraid to apply, even if you aren’t accepted the first time around, you are showing us that you are passionate about creating a more inclusive world for individuals of all abilities! Plus, you can always try again the following year. Let your local Program Manager know as well that you are also applying. This demonstrates to us that you are interested in growing as a leader and we want to empower you to take every opportunity to succeed!”

Why is it important for schools to have Best Buddies chapters? 

“I believe that all schools should have Best Buddies chapters for the multitude of benefits it offers. When a Best Buddies program is implemented, the culture of the school tends to often shift. Through the education of disability awareness and acceptance, both students and faculty members develop a better perspective and understanding of the inherent value in others. They start focusing on the capabilities of an individual rather than their disability. Through monthly chapter meetings and buddy pair partnerships, students also recognize that meaningful friendships can be formed under the premise of what they share rather than what makes them different. Students with and without disabilities who participate in a Best Buddies chapter gain self-esteem and confidence. They have access to greater social opportunities and join a community of fellow peers who care about making sure that everyone feels loved and valued. Additionally, through inclusive leadership teams students grow tremendously in their communication and leadership skills, empowering them to become more independent and take part in creating a more accepting world. Best Buddies has school programming spanning from elementary all the way through college, in addition to all of our other wonderful programs. This allows individuals of all abilities and all ages to be a part of an ever-growing community of individuals, dedicated to inclusion.”

A BIG thank you to Liz Townsend for taking the time out of her busy schedule to complete this survey for us and for offering her insight to us all. We are so lucky to have such an amazing Best Buddies staff to look up to and work with. 

In friendship, 

Sophie:)