LaNasi: Resources for
Chapter Presidents

Eight Steps To USY Leadership

1. Learn to listen!
   A USYer will trust you as a leader if she thinks you care about what she has to say. Don't hesitate to state back to her what she said in your own words and let her correct you. Don't try to jump ahead of the game and prepare your reply - let her finish her thought, then pause, and prepare a response, not a reaction.
2. Recognize leadership qualities in others!
   Once you have graduated USY, someone needs to fill your shoes. Seek out those people who have the potential and let them know you can help them attain leadership positions.
3. Be organized!
   Learn to organize you time, your papers, and your relationships. The energy you put into USY will go much farther, and you will find it rubbing off on your outside life as well.
4. Be available!
   Let other USYers know when they can call you or where they can reach you. Return USY phone calls right away. Show up five minutes early (never be late) and talk to members about their feelings about the group's progress.
5. Show your interest!
   It may take little effort on your part to call a USYer to remind him about a meeting, but it might make a world of difference on his part. Human contact from a peer can go a long, long way.
6. Live USY!
   Don't hesitate to wear regalia to school or in public (you don't have to become the USY poster child either.) Show up at services, Hebrew High, the JCC. Don't be afraid to mention USY in casual conversation with your "outside" friends. If you're known as a USYer, potential members might just approach you. And of course, keep an eye out for the new kid in town or the Jewish kid who isn't in a youth group, and tell her about USY.
7. Learn effective criticism!
   Don't criticize if the recipient can't handle it at that moment. Offer support and help. Let him know he can lean on you.
8. Be a mensch!
   Gain people's respect by being considerate of others, showing them that their ideas have merit as well.