CLI develops youth leaders

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 13, 2004

High school students throughout the state can develop valuable leadership skills at a summer camp sponsored by the Iowa Catholic Conference.

As in past years, two weeks of Christian Leadership Institute will be offered. This year's dates and locations include June 27 to July 2 at Twin Lakes Christian Center near Manson and July 25 to 30 at Des Moines YMCA Camp, Boone.

"Young people come together from the four dioceses of Iowa to reflect together on the qualities of leadership from a faith context," said Kay Morrissey, director of the Office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Sioux City. "It merges those two realities of faith and leadership."

According to Morrissey, CLI is a program that was originally established by the Center for Ministry Development, therefore it is offered in many other parts of the country as well.

She pointed out that CLI would be particularly beneficial for youth that want to take on leadership roles in parish or Catholic school youth groups or programs. High school students who already are leaders, may even benefit through the program by enhancing their present skills.

"This has been in the state for many years," noted Morrissey. "Two of my sons attended in the mid- to late-80s and they certainly appreciated what they learned."

A large group workshop is featured every day that works on one specific leadership skill such as leadership styles, communication, planning, group dynamics and consensus seeking.

Throughout the week, CLI provides an opportunity for participants to practice these new skills by working together in small groups.

"They will develop skills that they can use for the rest of their life," said Morrissey.

Andrea Jenson, a high school junior from Pocahontas, attend CLI in the summer of 2002. She mentioned that she attended the leadership camp because she wanted to take a more active role in her church and believed it would be a good way to meet people.

"I learned a lot about communications skills and how to work with different people," she said.

She pointed out that she has used these skills in both parish and at her public school.

"You can apply these things to your everyday life because they deal with friendships and social skills along with other leadership qualities," said Jenson.

At her parish, Resurrection of Our Lord Church, she has used these skills to teach religious education classes and serves on the parish core team. On a diocesan level, she serves on the Diocesan Core Group and has worked at Camp CAYOCA, Search Weekend and Discover Retreat. In her school, Pocahontas Area High School, she helps facilitate a character-building program for middle school students and she also serves as a mentor to elementary students.

Chad Driscoll, a senior at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City, said his CLI experience last summer was beneficial to enhance many of the leadership skills he was already using.

"It helped to reiterate and make some of my skills stronger - being able to facilitate a meeting and realize that the importance of having everyone be a part of what you are doing," he said.

In particular, Driscoll noted that he liked the practical application of the skills as small groups of students planned the various parts of the liturgy such as music and environment on a daily basis.

He has used some of these enhanced leadership skills as co-chair of his school's Miracle Makers group and as president of Heelan's Life Core. Driscoll has served as a music leader at the diocesan Camp CAYOCA and is a Eucharistic minister, altar server and music minister at Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Church.

While CLI is designed to provide a valuable learning experience, Morrissey mentioned that it certainly is not all work and no play. Recreation time and social activities are part of the week.

Driscoll pointed out that with the relatively small number of participants at CLI, it offered the chance to get to know many of the other students quite well. He became close friends with several people and still keeps in touch with many of them via e-mail.

"I would recommend it, especially for some younger classmen as it will help them as they go through high school," he said. "If you do get a chance to go - have fun and enjoy it."

CLI is intended for young people, ages 15 to 18, who at least entering their sophomore year of high school this fall.

Morrissey said it would be helpful if anywhere from two to four students from a parish or school would attend together.

Cost of CLI is $205. Either a $75 nonrefundable deposit or the full fee must accompany registration.

There is a limit of 72 participants per CLI week. Registrations for the first week must be post-marked no later than June 1. Registrations for the second week must be post-marked by June 15.

A copy of the CLI registration form was recently sent to all parishes. This form may also be obtained on the diocesan Web site - www.scdiocese.org - on the Faith Formation page. If you have questions, contact Morrissey at (712) 233-7532.