15 th National Conference on Volunteering

1. 15th National Conference on Volunteering Dare you commit: youth leaders in a changing world? Tom Short

2. Session outcomes At the end of this session you will: • Know more about the Australian Air League • Relate to the current challenges we face • Hear about our strategies for change • … Hear about your experiences

3. Which are important to you? Recognition Friendship Reputation Harmony Popularity Self-esteem VALUES Time Fun Challenge Achievement Continuity Flexibility Leading

4. Perspectives and issues- Inter-State- Background- Education- Culture- AgeMIXEDEXPECTATIONS

5. About the Air League • Formed in 1934 • Aviation-minded youngsters • National presence • Voluntary organisation • Uniformed, structured, cadet force style • Focus on civil/commercial aviation

6. Air League – a learning organisation 4. CODE 1.LEGACY MORAL LEADERSHIP AIR LEAGUE ADULT LEADERSHIP 2. INTEREST 3. COMMUNITY AVIATION SOCIALLY DEVELOP

8. DARING TO COMMIT An organisation of Firsts! • 1st air-minded youth organisation (1934) • 1st to offer Flying Scholarships (1937) • 1st to admit girls (1944) • 1st to offer Education Diploma (1983) • 1st Air Activities Centre (1984)

9. Current environment • Fewer and busier adult volunteers, especially those with potential for future service • Changes in what children value: indoor gaming, on-line friendships, strong individualism • Increasing influence of parents and bad press about the place of men around children • Increasing bureaucracy and accreditation requirements for youth organisations

10. Current issues • Senior officers approaching retirement • Younger cadet membership • Retention of teenagers • Interstate differences • Workloads and shortage of time • Static membership

11. Growth

12. Adult leaders

13. Adult leaders Gen Y Gen X Boomers

14. Cadet members

15. Generational challenges • Rank, structure and authority • Paper systems vs. technology • Leadership: tell, sell or negotiate • Chain of command vs. empowerment • Stability vs. flexibility • Gen X and Gen Y commitment

16. Age and values

17. Success … a balance ACTIVITY Amount Complexity Time taken PEOPLE Number Capability Motivation LEADERS

18. Strategic Drift DRIFT Individuals Organisation Team Adapted from Senge, 1990

19. Alignment Individuals Organisation Teams Adapted from Senge, 1990

20. Daring to lead, let go or take-on • Gamble • Challenge • Courage • Hazards • Loss • Harm RISKS

21. Vision Where we want to be Values and Beliefs How we want to behave Aims and Objectives What we are here for Mission What we want to achieve Air League Policy How we achieve Success Factors (ALSFs) What we must do well Plans and Projects Achievable performance People Activities Leadership framework

22. Air League Success Factors & performance

23. Plans, projects – how we will achieve Air League Success Factors 1 5 3 4 2 PLANS A 5 2 3 4 2 3 4 B C D E F G 4 2 5 6 6

24. Engagement Reduce Admin Growth Leadership Education Community

25. Future Focus PAST FUTURE

26. Changing thelandscape … • Digitisation, on-line systems • First ever Chair of Council under 30 • First MSA award to under 20 year old • State leadership role in SA to U25 • New Officer Development Program • National Cadet Advisory Group • Deputies for senior role succession • National Qualifications in Volunteering • Alliances with other aviation academies • Business Excellence strategy

27. DARING TO COMMIT Summary • Leadership is putting values on the line • Leadership is multi-dimensional • Change and succession are inevitable • Respect for past traditions • Focus on what is key to success

28. 15th National Conference on Volunteering Dare you commit: youth leaders in a changing world? THANK YOU – QUESTIONS training@airleague.com.au