Passing the Baton

This entry comes to you earlier than usual since Shaun and I have come to the end of our 5 day bridge experience with the Global Voice Loreto group. We fly out at 4 pm today and I am more than comfortable leaving the group (though in a perfect world I'd love to stay and culminate and celebrate the final days with everyone). In fact, as a co-founder of Global Voice I'm ecstatic to see the project pass on and take on a life of it's own in the hands of capable GV alum. This is the first solo program and the additions--Leader of the Day, a Global Voice Handy Dandy Pocket booklet, rotating schedules for buying and preparing meals--are keepers. Last night's reflection and activities were amazing to observe and confirmed two (if not more) things: the Global Voice model works and is sustainable and young people are an amazing untapped resource. What exactly does that mean?

Well, I could see how the intentional effort to build a sense of community among the group is still a fundamental ingredient of their ability to plan, make decisions together, and above all communicate with love and respect--with each other and everyone they connect to throughout the day. Setting the bar high, believing that they can all bring their best to everything they do daily, day after day, and allowing each to contribute uniquely to the mix has revealed an array of successes. Donovan unfolded his talent for ad-lib storytelling to a strumming guitar (his strumming) sharing a gift no one knew he had, including himself, apparently. Cambria brought to life yesterday evening what she had shared earlier in the day during our day at the beach. She said she loves Global Voice because it's not about someone organizing a service project and getting others to simply pitch in, telling them what to do. It's about creative problem solving, group planning and decision-making, compromise, teamwork and being open to change. The youth take responsibility for all aspects of the experience. Since the group is starting it's second week of work projects and first week of contact with the children and the workshops they plan to do with them--in the span of 8 hours--they had much to discuss and decide. After 30-40 minutes of facilitated discussion and recording of essential information they all concluded their evening--at 10:30 pm. Any illusions that youth will only do what they absolutely have to and cut short their work and planning time to have free and fun time should immediately be dismissed. This session followed two LOTD activities, the traditional props (recognition of one another and even others not in the room, including dogs, the sun and the ocean), a "looking forward" reflection, AND preceded the "hot seat," a new GV tradition that puts the Leader Of The Day (LOTD) in the hot seat and allows everyone to ask as many and as varied questions as they like--which in the four evenings we spent with them ran about 30 minutes. This time together, a nearly nightly occurrence, is all self-imposed and self-governed--from the 14-21 year old participant. "Everyone is equal" and everyone has equal value, sharing in dishes to daily leadership. No exceptions. Gee, this sounds a bit like "a world that works for all."

So why did Shaun and I even bother to go when they have it all under control? I can think of at least a few reasons: I'm hooked on the feeling that we can truly live, learn, lead, work and play together and still come out of this LOVEing each other (intentional misspell based on this Year's GV theme); I was selfish enough to want to see how they were taking Global Voice to a new level and using the key components of the model in creative, improved and exciting ways--and get first-hand confirmation that it works; I love Loreto, Mexico (no duh, though I'd recommend NOT coming down in the middle of a detox diet); and most surprising and heartwarming to me, the kids wanted us to come (I assume not just for my cooking since they had that under control and I had the best meal of my detox week courtesy of the culinary gifts of Rachel and Sophie). The unexpected skype call the night before our departure to see them filled me with a joy and gratefulness that has stayed with me during these past 5 days--I love these young people, they are all my kids, and it seems the feeling is mutual. Who could ask for more? And that's why we came! And, a little secret??!!! It's a lot more fun when they are in charge. Kudos GVers 2011 for a job well and lovingly done. I can't wait to see you do your magic in Lockwood this spring!

Love you all, Deb L-G