Key Leader hits Cayman

Cayman Net News
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About 100 teens participated in this year’s Kiwanis Key Leader program at the St. Ignatius School in George Town. The 40-hour leadership and teamwork training was hosted by the Kiwanis Club of  Grand Cayman this past September.

Key Leader facilitator Wendy Fraser presented the course with assistance from Peterson, Key Leader manager at Kiwanis International. Participants were split into neighborhoods of eight teens, and one student facilitator who acted as a guide during group activities.

“Key Leader is here to stay and will be held again in 2009,” said Kiwanian Wiekert Weber, local Key Leader chair. “It is an important part of the tool set, which Cayman’s youth need in order to compete and excel both at university and in their chosen careers. The timing of September is difficult for all concerned and it is likely that the 2009 event will be held earlier in the year.”

The Key Leader participants took part in team building events in which physical challenges had to be conquered—such as the movement of an entire team over a pit using minimal materials.

Many proud parents attended the final day’s ceremonies to watch their children “graduate” from Key Leader. The average age of participants was 15.

“A local facilitator is soon being trained in the United States, and Past President Paul de Freitas will attend training on event support and management, to ensure the highest quality and standards at the event,” said president Karen Barnett. “This will enable us to hold the event at any time which is most convenient for Cayman.”

“If demand continues,” Barnett said, “ it will enable us to schedule the event twice a year to ensure that every qualifying teen gets a chance to attend during their high school years. We appeal to all companies to reserve a sponsored place in Key Leader within their annual community service budget. It is such a small amount and yet does so much good.”

Key Leader happens, the Kiwanis Club said, because businesses care enough to sponsor the teens who attend, either through directly sponsoring the child of an employee or by making a donation to sponsor one or more teens who apply to attend.