|
by
Anne C. Adams
In
a circus, the Ringmaster is "full of accolades, elevating every act
and performer to star status." In this article Anne Adams challenges
CYD professionals to take on the role of Ringmaster, to pull disparate
people and elements together in an effort to develop a "circus par
excellence."
Fantasize with me that your youth organization is a circus and you
are the Ringmasters. Your challenge: presenting the "Greatest Show
on Earth!" You are decked out in a fine red coat with tails and a
top hat; a microphone in hand:
Ladies and Gentleman- and children of all ages! You are about to enjoy
the most exciting time of your lives! Our circus is unique- the perfect
blending of hard work and creative talents to produce the finest environment
within which young people can and do flourish.
How do you, as Ringmaster, orchestrate the development and presentation
of diverse acts to produce this "Greatest Show on Earth!"? What
would be the components and dynamics of such a unique organization?
I have seen many circus presentations during my life, primarily because
my mother loved the circus. Going to Madison Square Garden for the Ringling
Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus was an annual event during my youth.
It is a huge, three-ring event-complete with elephants, lions, tigers,
highwire acts, clowns, and everything in between. When my child was younger,
we continued the tradition, but until April of this year, it had been
over 15 years since I'd been to the circus. That was when I had the opportunity
to enjoy the Atlanta-based UniverSoul Circus on its road tour. This is
the only black-owned circus in the world; value-added to the new generation
of our family as we return to the circus outing tradition. It was my first
experience with a one-ring extravaganza, and it proved to be several hours
of nonstop entertainment.
Why was [the UniverSoul] circus so enjoyable? It was the composite that made it so spectacular . . . the personal performances of extraordinary talent and the demonstration of skills; the fantastic display of diversity and capacity; the sharing and blending of strengths to produce excellence.
Why was this particular circus so enjoyable? Was it just because of the extraordinary talent? I don't think so. I think it was a combination of things: lights, costumes, energy, the element of surprise, the purposeful humor, teamwork, the obvious desire to entertain, to draw smiles, to please, and of course, the talent. It was the composite that made it so spectacular-no single act, but the variety-the simple and the complex. It was the personal performances of extraordinary talent and the demonstration of skills, the fantastic display of diversity and capacity, the sharing and blending of strengths to produce excellence.
If I were to make a surface comparison of the Madison Square Garden performance and the UniverSoul traveling tent show, it would be easy to see bigger as better. But if I use the level to which I was engaged, my enjoyment, and actual pleasure as measurements, the small circus holds its own. It also left me wanting more.
It is important to recognize that it is not size or the richness of resources that makes the difference in Community Youth Development efforts. When I think of CYD, I think of a variety of communities with varying levels of interest, concern, and resources. Each is its own unique blend of people and elements. Our job? Pull the people and disparate elements together and develop a circus par excellence! You are the Ringmaster-what will it take?
Indulge me in a broad stroke sketch, but also envision the application of your leadership talents in developing and organizing the acts to produce the event. Throughout the performance, we need the clowns. Humor is a very important element within both our organizations and communities. It needs to be tasteful and elevating, not about people per se, but about life. How much fun is there in your organization and community? Do you know how to create fun? When you think about creating fun, which people come to mind? Are they valued for their ability to create joy? For their ability to divert our attention from our pain or discouragement? You would not think about organizing a circus without clowns-without an emphasis on joy. Should we develop organizations without it? Should it be an afterthought in our communities? When young people complain about not having any fun, do we regard it as constructive critique or as their immaturity?
Before CYD can be developed within the community, we need to establish a mini-model within our organizations. This gives all members of the organization the opportunity to internalize the principles and practices. When principles and practices are internalized, they are more likely to transfer, and hence, sustain as projects and programs extending beyond traditional organizational boundaries in the creation and building of the community. Consequently, all of the CYD components need to be visible and identifiable within the local organization. Just as with the circus, start with the clowns-start with fun!
Every circus needs skilled talent acts: trapeze artists, acrobats, and high wire performers. They dazzle us with their physical and artistic skills, risk-taking, and commitment to excellence. Usually, such talent has been identified early in life, and nurtured and trained to perfection. Without the discipline of training, it is unlikely that raw talent will flourish into outstanding performers. Likewise, there are skilled talent acts within our organizations and communities. As Ringmaster, do you know and identify talent and offer it the opportunity to flourish? Equally important, is new talent able to rise? Does your organization stimulate creativity and "out of the box" thinking? Do you know how to encourage new and bright thinking without belittling others? Are you a model of openness and acceptance? Do you create a work environment where risk-taking is valued? Do you provide time and opportunity for practice and the honest feedback that leads to the perfecting of performance?
In circuses, talent is usually identified early in life, and nurtured to perfection. Likewise, there are skilled talent acts within our organizations and communities. As Ringmaster, do you know and identify talent and offer it the opportunity to flourish?
Every circus has animal acts. The trainers remind me of the workers who do not necessarily have the specialized skills that emanate from special gifts and/or training and education. They are, however, consistently pulling our programs together and facilitating our participants' growth. They are excellent guides, coaches, counselors, and referees. They are the mainstays of any organization. They stand ready to fill any and all gaps. But are they nurtured and appreciated? Or are they taken for granted? The Ringmaster is full of accolades, elevating every act and performer to star status. How do you convey to every worker that you view him or her as people of worth and value?
CYD at its best fully involves all youth, and thus fully appreciates and celebrates diversity. Hence, it has the potential for destroying the various "isms" within our society that have divided people and destroyed potential.
Traditional hierarchical organizational structures have hindered the growth and development of creative, empowered thinking. CYD breaks loose from the boundaries of hierarchy and encourages ideas, thinking, and feelings-learning and teaching as simultaneous functions for all players. By validating all, it protects both the organization and community from the blinders of provincial thinking and practices. CYD at its best fully involves all youth, and thus fully appreciates and celebrates diversity. Hence, it has the potential for destroying the various "isms" within our society that have divided people and destroyed potential. Ringmasters appreciate diversity. It is the heart and soul of the circus-something for everyone-ladies, gentlemen, children of all ages.
CYD necessitates the development of the community, and of the youth within that community. It also assumes the involvement of young people in partnership with adults in that development, to make use of their talents and increase their investment in community life. That is easier said than done. A good Ringmaster will be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their circus, and will use their leadership to build and synthesize. The work is unquestionably challenging-but it is clear that we will not only be developing a safer place for young people, but improving the social condition of the entire populace that represents a given community: noble and ambitious work, to say the least.
Anne C. Adams is a professional social worker with more than 35 years of experience in education, human services, case management, program administration, evaluation, and strategic planning. She is currently a Research Associate at the Heller Graduate School's Center for Youth and Communities, Brandeis University, focusing on adolescents, families, welfare reform, workforce development, and cross-cultural service delivery. She is particularly interested in assisting practitioners examine their readiness for service delivery in a multicultural community. Ms. Adams has an MSW degree from Rutgers University, where she was a faculty member for 14 years.
To contact Anne C. Adams write to:
The Center for Youth and Families
Brandeis University
60 Turner Street
Waltham, MA 02453
|
CYD Journal © 2001 |
