Defining leadership…

Leaders come from all walks of life and although they may not share common skills or experiences, they possess many similar traits: unbounded vision, admirable character, value-driven actions, and the ability to transform ideas into reality. However, one must not be extraordinary to be leader and we all have the ability to lead by example. Through small yet meaningful gestures, dedication, and standing up for issues of greater societal importance, we believe each of us can be leaders.

Our approach…

Undoubtedly the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. However, we at Take Action! are confident that with the right opportunities and guidance, the youth of today can also be the leaders of the present. All youth have skills and personal interest towards certain community issues and through our three-fold system centered on creating cause-based change; we intend to bring about the leader in them all. 

Our model…

:: Service ::

Through volunteerism and outreach efforts members:

> Contribute to a more positive community
> Increase their awareness of societal issues
> Develop their skills and ability

Some examples of service activities we perform include:

> Volunteering at a local homeless shelter
> Volunteering at organizations such as the Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation (both long and short term)
> Conducting monthly park cleanups
> Planting trees during Earth Week

:: Leadership Development ::
 
Undeniably leaders require development. We develop aspiring leaders through a mix of knowledge building and practice consisting of having members:

> Organize and lead initiatives (both pre-specified as well as their own)
> Attend change based forums, conferences and meetings
> Learn and be inspired by speakers and panels consisting of existing leaders and change makers
> Have access to a wide array of resources such as the: Take Action! Leadership toolkit, The Leaders Blog, and the members book list

:: Mentorship  ::
 
By reaching out to those younger and/or less experienced members:

> Reaffirm their understanding through imparting knowledge and experience
> Act as role-models
> Become catalysts for further change

Examples of mentorship include:

> Holding workshops on issues such as the environment, bullying, and healthy lifestyle for primary and middle school students
> Getting middle-schools involved in pursuing a year-long project such as school-wide waste reducation or supporting the construction of a school abroad
> Acting as a role-model and guide to high school students on topics such as post-secondary options