Often women jump at the chance to serve in the Young Women organization. It is a chance to work with the youth in a fun and positive way. Since you are meeting with the girls twice a week, it really gives you an opportunity to get to know them as individuals. It is also a calling with a great amount of responsibility, because you can influence the girls in a positive way.
The most important thing to do as a leader is to be at the meetings on time and consistently. In order to be able to influence the girls you will need to build relationships of mutual respect and trust. The best way to show the girls that you care is to be at the meetings, both on Sundays and Wednesday nights. You should also arrive prepared to teach the lessons, and to assist the girls in the activities that they have planned.
Another important thing to remember is that your behavior is a role model for the girls. They will respond to the way you dress, talk and treat others. While I was serving as a Young Women’s leader, one of the other leaders made a comment about the way one of the girls was dressed. She was expressing her concern to the other leaders, but made it where the other girls could hear it. The room went completely silent, and the rest of the meeting was very uncomfortable. Your behavior is noticed by girls who are trying to figure out who they are and the right way to behave. You need to set the highest standards possible with your behavior.
Do not forget to reach out the girls who are struggling. It is easy to brush aside the girls who are less active or who seem to have an attitude problem. In reality these are the girls who need you the most. I was less active for a period of time while I was in Young Women’s. My Laurel advisor would send me a letter every other week with a handout from the class or a note telling me she missed me at church. She sent me cards congratulating me on my successes. Even though I never expressed my appreciation to her, it really did make a difference. I knew that when I went back, I had at least one person who cared about me.
Young Women’s leaders have the opportunity to work on the Personal Progress program along with the girls. This is a great opportunity. The projects and activities are easy to complete because they coincide with things that most mothers are already doing. If you have the girls sign you off on the activities it will demonstrate to them how important the program really is.
Serving in the Young Women’s organization is a neat experience. It is also a very time-consuming calling. It is a calling with a great deal of responsibility. You can learn more about the church’s guidelines for serving in Young Women’s here.