New Member Manual This Manual will introduce and guide you in some of the specifics of the program.
Below is our New Tribe Sponsor Manual. This will assist these members who are sponsoring new tribes.
Table of Contents
YMCA Mission
Foundational Pillars of the Y-Guides Program
Tribal Sponsorship Overview
New Tribe Sponsor Responsibilities
Sample Agenda for New Tribe Large Group Dads Meeting
Y-Guides Purpose, Slogans, Aims and Pledge
Tribe Planning Worksheet
Sponsor Preparation Checklist for First Tribe Meeting
First Tribe Dads Meeting Dads Only - Agenda / Checklist
Final Check List
YMCA Mission
“To put Christian principles into practice through programs
that build healthy Spirit, Mind and Body for all.”
The YMCA Mission and Character Development
The YMCA mission is “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.” We help the people we serve put these principles into practice in their daily lives: their choices, their attitudes, and their behavior. These Christian principles consist of many positive values which are accepted by most as “the right thing to do”. We develop character by teaching and demonstrating these positive values.
YMCA Character Development
The fancy definition describes character as consisting of one’s ethical traits. A simple definition is provided by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, which defines character as how we act when no one is looking. It is measured by what we would do if we think we would not be caught. A person of strong character is someone who always tries to do what is right (behaves according to positive values) even when no one is looking, because the person believes it is the right thing to do.
The YMCA is focusing on five core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith. There are many other values that can be listed under these main five values.
- Caring – to love others, to be sensitive to the well being of others, to help others.
- Honesty – to tell the truth, to act in such a way that you are worthy of trust, to have integrity; making sure your choices match your values.
- Respect – to treat others, as you would have them treat you: to value the worth of every person, including yourself.
- Responsibility – to do what is right, what you ought to do; to be accountable for your behavior and obligations.
- Faith - to believe, trust in, and rely upon God.
A personal challenge to each one of us as fathers to set a good example of faith and character for our children because these important qualities are more “Caught than Taught.”
Foundation Pillars of the Y-Guides Program
Making Healthy Choices
Positive adult role models are vital to a child’s development. Y-Guides is a father/child program which helps direct a child toward making healthy choices that will enhance their spirit, mind and body. Y-Guides members learn the character values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith; core values of the YMCA.
Building Relationships
The Y-Guides program helps to foster companionship and understanding and set a foundation for a positive, lifelong relationship between a father and child. Emphasis is placed on the vital role that parents play in the growth and development of their children. A framework is provided for a father and child to spend enjoyable, constructive and quality time together through age appropriate event planning. Participants also have the opportunity to meet and interact with other families with children the same age.
Developing Skills
Learning critical life skills is important in every child’s development. Skills such as teamwork, independence, cooperation and goal setting are cornerstones of the Y-Guides program. Children emerge with a greater sense of self-esteem and personal worth.
Becoming Servant Leaders
Y-Guides value the opportunity to help teach your children the importance of serving others. An important and unique opportunity within the program is dads and children working together to develop and enjoy volunteer leadership skills. Participating together in events such as Park Clean-Up Days, winter coat drives, stocking food pantries and collecting school supplies are examples of opportunities we create for a child to learn to be a servant leader who positively impacts their community.
Tribe Sponsorship Overview
The purpose of this manual is to explain the procedures used by the Charlotte Y-Guides for new tribe sponsorship. This manual will familiarize you with the process as you prepare for the recruiting meetings, meet with parents and children, and organize Brave and Princess tribes.
In this manual you will find: A step-by-step plan for sponsoring a new tribe. Information about the meetings you will attend to assist in formation of the tribe, a plan of organization, and other resource information which will help you to organize a strong tribe.
WELL ORGANIZED TRIBES ARE STRONG TRIBES – poorly organized tribes are normally weak tribes. Yours is an important task that will mean much in the lives of the children and fathers you are helping. Your commitment and dedication as a sponsor will help insure more and more Dads and Kids in our community having the opportunity to participate in Y-Guides.
New Tribe Sponsor Responsibilities
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY: Attend a “Dads Meeting” and meet three times with new tribe to help them get organized.
- Large Group Dads Meeting. This involves attending a one hour program orientation led by the Y-Guides staff. At this meeting the first tribe meeting will be scheduled.
- Tribe Meeting #1. As Sponsor, you act as Chief for first tribe meeting with dads and kids. You show by example how a tribe meeting is conducted. Your child should also attend to offer a role model for the new Braves or Princesses.
- Tribe “Dads Meeting”. You facilitate the choosing of a Chief and other tribe officers, finalizing tribe’s calendar of meetings & outings, etc.
- Tribe Meeting #2. The new Chief will preside over the second Tribe Meeting. The sponsor will attend to offer assistance as needed.
- (Optional) Attend Chiefs Meeting with new Chief to offer orientation and assistance as needed.
- Be available as needed. If the tribe runs into a problem, or has a question, be sure they have your phone number and email address and know that they can contact you for assistance.
- Make contact at least twice during the Program year to see how things are going with the tribe. This contact can be made during Chiefs Meetings or by phone call.
Call the Y-Guides office on 716-4100 if any assistance is needed.
Sample Agenda for New Tribe Large Group Dads Meeting
Welcome & Introductions
- Overview of the Agenda
- Dads get to know each other (Name, job, child’s name, age, school, favorite activities, why joined Y-Guides)
- Program Fundamentals
- YMCA Mission & Character Development
The Tribe
- Tribe Meeting Agenda
- Discipline & Attention
- Tribal Property
- Y-Guides Indian Names
- Awards (Changes each Year)
- Vests, Patches, and Points
Outings
- Tribal Outings
- Federation Events
- Resources Available
Tribe Group Work
- Introductions
- Update Roster (Address, Phone, Fax, Email, etc.)
- Pick up supplies
- Fill out Tribe Planning Worksheet
- Choose meeting days & times
- Choose Host for each meeting (discuss host duties)
- Choose Tribe Name (2-3 choices)
- Choose Fall Longhouse
- Set date, time, location for first tribe meeting & next dads meeting
- Before Tribe meeting
- Everyone have Y-Guides Indian Name
- Review Agenda (everyone knows their part)
- Host makes & delivers invitations
- Before Leaving tonight
- Turn in the Tribe Roster with updates
- Turn in any New Registration Forms
- Turn in copy of Tribe Planning Worksheet
- Before Dads leave the meeting
- Decide on outings through January
- Decide on Tribe Costume (Vest, etc.) and Tribe Property
- Set amount for Tribe Dues (Wampum) - suggest $1 per meeting
- Elect Tribe Officers
- New Chief should attend next Chief Meeting
- Sponsor should attend next Chief Meeting with new chief and explain points
REVIEW THESE DURING DAD’S MEETINGS AND AT FIRST TRIBE MEETING
Y-Guides Purpose
The Purpose of the Y-Guides Program is to foster the understanding and companionship between father and child.
Slogans
"Pals Forever” Y-Guides Braves
“Friends Always” Y-Guides Princesses
These respective slogans of the Y-Guides Braves and Princesses Program are intended to describe a close and enduring relationship between fathers and their sons/daughters. They do not mean the relationship between equals, such as peers, friends, pals or chums. They do mean communication and understanding, a sense of companionship. They describe a satisfying and rewarding interaction between father and child, encouraging them to learn about each other and to achieve mutual respect for one another's differences.
The special importance of doing all things associated with the Y-Guides Program together cannot be overemphasized. Tribal activities, even attendance at tribe meetings, must be done together. At Federation events, every step is taken to ensure that boys and girls and their dads undertake both structured and free time periods together. This is one of the unique characteristics of the program philosophy and practices.
Y-Guides Aims
- To be clean in body and pure in heart.
- To be “Pals Forever” with Y-Guides Braves or “Friends Always” with Y-Guides Princesses
- To love the sacred circle of my family.
- To listen while others speak.
- To love my neighbor as myself.
- To seek and preserve the beauty of God’s work in forest, field and stream.
Y-Guides Pledge
"We, father and son/daughter, through friendly service to each other, to our family, to this tribe, to our community, seek a world pleasing to the eye of the Great Spirit."
Tribe Planning Worksheet
Sponsor_______________________________ Date________________
Tribe Name (Temporary): _____________________________________
Type of tribe (circle one): Brave Princess
Tribe Name (New): __________________________________________
Chief Name: _________________ Sponsor Name: __________________
Tribe Meeting Days / Times: ___________________________________
Please turn in one copy of completed worksheet at the end of the meeting.
Month First Meeting Date/Host Second Meeting Date/Host Outing Event
Date/Host
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sponsor Preparation Checklist for First Tribe Meeting
- Call Host 3 - 4 days prior to the meeting to remind him to:
- Call all tribe members reminding them of the meeting.
- Deliver Invitations
- Have refreshments ready twenty minutes before meeting ends.
- Be prepared to act as Chief and conduct Tribe Meeting.
- Be sure that you know the Slogan, Aims, and Pledge.
- Plan to take your child to the meeting. Prepare them to set a good example for the new Braves or Princesses.
- Be ready to tell (NOT read) a story.
- Be ready to play a game.
- (Optional) Take name tags to the meeting.
- Bring some display items (totem pole, coup stick, etc.)
- Bring your tribe's drum to use in the meeting.
- Arrive a little early to assist as necessary. Start meeting promptly.
First Tribe Dads Meeting – Dads Only Meeting Led by Tribe Sponsor
Agenda / Checklist
- Roster updates: Check address, telephone numbers, etc.
- New member materials received? Y-Guides Manual, patches, vests
- Y-Guides Indian Names for all members
- Fall Longhouse date
- Tribal Offices
Chief **: _______________________
Medicine Man (Assistant Chief) *: _______________________
Wampum Bearer *: _______________________
Tally Keeper *: _______________________
Sachem (Past Chief): not until next year
Sand Painter: _______________________
Legend Keeper: _______________________
** Mandatory
* Highly recommended
- Patches for dad, “My Dad Is” patches for child
- Dad’s Meetings: How often? One per quarter recommended. Get these on everyone’s calendars ASAP.
- Tribe Meetings: We strongly suggest the same day and time each month.
- First year Federation Achievement Awards review
- Honor Tribe Points
- Wampum (dues): Purpose and collection process. How much?
- Y-Guides website for information and online registration www.yguides.org.
Final Check List
- All tribe members are entered on the official tribe roster.
- The tribe has a name.
- Officers have been elected and informed of their duties.
- The new Chief is able to conduct the Tribe Meetings reasonably well.
- The tribe has had a “Dads Meeting” and has a schedule for at least the next three months.
- All materials have been turned over to the new tribe.
- All tribe members have paid their registration fee.