Sunday, March 1, 2015

YDLI 9 Day 3 Recap: Finding Stability in Stressful Times, UnderstandingCommunication Styles & Creating Effective Presentations

The final day of YDLI 9, Phase 1 was filled with plenty of laughter and learning to cap off an amazing week in Phoenix.

Mark Mayfield got the group warmed up with his session titled "'Momma Told Me There'd Be Days Like This' - Finding Stability in Stressful Times." In today's fast paced world, balancing the demands of busy lives, families and other commitments, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Mayfield shared a variety of strategies to help manage stress and move forward in a positive way, all the while keeping the group laughing with his humorous styles and stories. He shared an acronym to help remember keys to keeping your mind in the right pace and avoiding or dealing with stress: 
  • Relaxation
  • Exercise
  • Avocation (hobby)
  • Communication
  • Humor
Mark Mayfield got the group warmed up with funny stories and great tips for better managing stress in our lives. 
Next, Monty Miller and Laura Daniels took the floor to lead their workshop, "Communicating - Influencing - Leading: Preparing to Leave the Oasis." All participants completed a Brain Pathways Profile, describing their learning and thinking tendencies, whether they are more Kinesthetic, Auditory or Visual learners, and Sequential, Global or Integrated thinkers. Understanding the differences between those styles helps speakers build more effective presentations, by having the ability to adapt their presentations to connect with people of all types. These skills will come in handy during Phase 2 [and beyond!], as all class members will be asked to do a presentation about the dairy industry to a group in their home communities. The class had a chance to draft presentations of their own and put the new learning tools into practice.
Kristen Kelderman from Ontario, & Chris Holcomb, FL
Jessica Getty, NY, Amy Schaufelberger, WI, and Holstein Association USA CEO and Holstein Foundation administrator John Meyer
Amber Horn-Leiterman, WI, makes a point during the presentation training session.

Amanda Zick, NY, cuts up an apple during a hands-on demonstration of the amount of arable land available on Earth.
Monty Miller works with a group during his workshop.
At lunch, the Holstein Foundation was pleased to recognize Chandler Goule as our 2015 Distinguished Alumni Leader. Goule is a graduate of YDLI Class 5, and currently is the Senior Vice President of Programs for the National Farmers Union, serving as a media spokesperson and overseeing the organization's departments of government relations, communications, education and membership. Prior to joining NFU, Goule worked for the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, for U.S. Rep. Collin C. Peterson, and for U.S. Rep. John S. Tanner. He holds a master's degree from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M.

Goule shares some stories about how his YDLI experiences have benefited him in his personal and profession life.

John M. Meyer, Holstein Association USA CEO and Holstein Foundation administrator, and Tom Thorbahn, Chairman of the Holstein Foundation board of trustees, present Goule with his award during Saturday's lunch.
To wrap up the end of Phase 1 workshops, Jodi Hoynoski reviewed expectations for Phase 2, and the class was able to spend time working with their mentors and peer groups to start developing ideas and plans for the Phase 2 Advocacy Action projects. 

Bringing Phase 1 to an official close was a final banquet and a comedy show by Mark Mayfield. Phase 2 for the class officially begins when they arrive back home, and we can't wait to hear about the impact they will have through their work over the next 12 months. Some of the assignments class members will complete during Phase 2 include interviewing non-farm consumers, making contact and introducing themselves to local media and legislators, making a presentation to a community organization, and executing their Phase 2 advocacy project.

Congratulations to YDLI Class 9 for doing an outstanding job during Phase 1 of the program! We can't wait to see what you all accomplish over the next 12 months in Phase 2 and beyond.
The Holstein Foundation would like to thank the organizations who sponsored today's program:
  • "'Momma Told Me There'd Be Days Like This' - Finding Stability in Stressful Times," by Mark Mayfield, sponsored by Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation
  • "Communicating - Influencing - Leading: Preparing to Leave the Oasis," by Monty Miller and Laura Daniels, sponsored by Arm & Hammer
  • Dinner & Entertainment sponsored by Farm Credit
Learn more about YDLI Class 9's Phase 1 experience by reading our earlier blog posts, or if you are on Facebook or Twitter, follow along with #ydli9! Learn more about YDLI or sign up to be on the mailing list for YDLI Class 10 applications at the Holstein Foundation web site.