Inspiring Leadership in Immigrant Communities - ILRC

Inspiring Leadership in Immigrant CommunitiesJanuary 2003Some possible answers:• Prepare yourself.• Know the customs mentioned earlier, especially about getting things inwriting and understanding them.• Get a library card—you can find a lot of helpful materials in languagesother than English.• Know where you can get legal help.• Know the rules that you have to follow.• Give yourself time to gradually get oriented to life here in the UnitedStates.• Always keep your papers—rent receipts, utility bills, etc.—you neverknow when they will be helpful.If all of the above responses are not elicited, add them at the end of thediscussion.In the closure to this part, it is important to indicate that we did this becausethey are leaders. An effective leader is able to share information about thesociety in which he or she lives. This allows people to adapt or cope withcultural differences and expectations more easily and prevents them frommaking mistakes. This activity also provides the leaders with a model forexplaining these differences to new immigrants. The purpose of this exerciseis not to encourage immigrants to assimilate or indicate which customs arebetter or best, but to learn from and use these customs to their advantage asleaders.12:30-2:00 Lunch and socializing at a spot away from the hotel meeting rooms2:00-2:45 Public speaking presentation and modelA. AgendaGroup Discussion on Speeches and Presentations (10 Minutes)Lecture on Preparing and Presenting a Speech (25 Minutes)The Trainer’s Model Speech (10 Minutes)B. Discussion (10 minutes)1. What are some good topics for speeches for this group?Some possible answers:• the importance of naturalization• the positive aspects of immigration• what immigrants bring to society• why immigrant bashing is wrong12-19