Vibrant youth groups:

1. Are more concerned with weaning than winning. Meetings are youth focused and driven. Youth, as they mature, lead the decision making.
2. Change how they do things, but not what they do. Club structure is firm yet flexible; creativity is encouraged while consistency and reliability is maintained.
3. Work hard and play hard – they do not meet just to meet or conduct business; the club provides a way for members to do fun things together and to work hard serving their community.
4. Empower rather than embalm young people. Rather than preserve members in some childlike state, youth are empowered to do what they are qualified to do, and to develop personal responsibility.
5. Communicate and listen. A conscious effort is made to involve members in discussions and deliberations.  Communication and leadership are two-way processes in which adults and youth share responsibilities.
6. Are able to achieve a balance between chaos and rigidity.
7. Affirm and support one another; they take pride in and celebrate the collective efforts of all members. The goal is to “do our best,” not to be the best.
8. Use a mentoring system to “socialize” newcomers into the club environment.
9. Value and practice service to others. Community service is not viewed as just another requirement, but is important within itself.
10. Take time for training; adults see their primary responsibility as helping young people to become involved as equal partners in the process of planning, implementation, and evaluation.

“Beyond Resiliency: Fostering Vibrancy in Youth Groups,” New Designs for Youth Development, 13(4):5-11