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Registration is now open for the 2008 California Service-Learning Leadership Institute. The Institute has become the home conference for service-learning practitioners, school administrators, and CBO folks who either partner with schools in service-learning projects or would like to do so.

Some tantalizing details about the Institute, not yet made public–yes, you’re reading it here first. Don Hill, of the YSCal staff, is going to address the participants on the state of service-learning in California. Known fondly as “the godfather of service-learning,” Don is probably in touch with more s-l practitioners in this state than anyone else. And he’s smart and has good insight, so I’m interested to hear what he has to say. Seems to me it’s time we took a few minutes and though about the state of s-l in CA. Where are we? Where are we going? How do we get there? Your thoughts welcomed….

We’re also talking with Joe Kahne and Joel Westheimer about addressing the Institute. You may know them as the authors of a whole series of articles on teaching for democracy and civic education. They made a big splash in the service-learning world in 1996, with an article in the Kappan entitled, In the Service of What? The Politics of Service-Learning. They examined the ideological and political underpinnings of service-learning, and not everyone was pleased with what they found. Read the article–it’s still worth your time. And hearing them talk about the opportunity gap (some kids have all kinds of opportunities that other kids don’t–and there are more consequences to that fact than we might think) will also be worth our time, I suspect. I hope they still know how to rouse some rabble.

Gustavo Anaya, 18, a senior at Whittier High School, was recently recognized as Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier, for his dedication to being of service to others.

This is a good idea on so many levels: helping students gain insight into the nonprofit sector; experiencing the decision-making that goes into philanthropy; doing a community needs assessment. I’ve heard of similar programs at the high school level–if you know of any, let me know and I’ll happily publicize them.

Matt Stevens, 18, a senior at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, created a Public Service Announcement on stereotyping and submitted it to the 11th Annual Teen Digital Reel Showcase and Awards. I can’t tell from the sponsor’s website if Matt won, but it sounds like a great concept, and is certainly an excellent form of service to the community.

As baby-boom leaders retire from their jobs in non-profits, a dearth of new leaders is becoming obvious. An excellent analysis with suggestions here.

At Youth Service California, we like to celebrate not just the young people who are transforming their communities and themselves through service, but also the adults who serve them. Orv Nease, a former elementary and middle school principal, was recently honored by the Redlands YMCA for his volunteer work.

This is a hidden reality that all of us who work with young people in California shold be aware of.

Service and civic engagement opportunities in Gold Country. Info here.

What better way to start this blog than to let young people have their say?

YO! Youth Outlook, a terrific news outlet run by young people in San Francisco, reports on the findings of a survey of 600 California young people between the agres of 16 and 21. The report, California Dreamers: A Public Opinion Portrait of the Most Diverse Generation the Nation has Known, has some real surprises. The biggest one, for me, is that when asked, “What do you consider the most pressing issue facing your genertion in the world today,” the largest group (24%) answered, “Family breakdown.” I didn’t realize how serious an issue this was for young people. Sounds like they’ve been wounded by what’s going at home and the impact they see on others.

That response was followed by “Violence in neighborhoods and communities,” and “Poverty.”

If we follow our principle that service by young people should be based on the issues and needs they see around them, what are the implications in these survey results? What kinds of service by young people might address family breakdown?