BEST BUDDIES IN MICHIGAN HOSTS LEADERSHIP TRAINING DAY FOR CHAPTER LEADERS

Rochester, Michigan 2023 – Best Buddies in Michigan is a state affiliate office of Best Buddies International (BBI), and recently hosted their annual Local Leadership Training Day for students throughout the state. BBI is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Local Leadership Training Days are hosted by Best Buddies offices annually for chapter leaders (students) and advisors (teachers) from elementary schools all the way up to college programs on how to best run their Best Buddies chapter. Through the training, students share best practices on effective strategies to recruit peers to join the club on campus, plan engaging and meaningful activities throughout the school-year, set specific and measurable goals for the program, and provide training support and resources from the Best Buddies staff. With the guiding principal that change comes from a passionate volunteer movement led by young people on a peer-to-peer level, Best Buddies focuses intentionally on supporting student leaders to be the change agents on their campus and throughout the community. Attendees left Leadership Training Day feeling empowered and prepared to guide the Best Buddies mission at their school.

“Leadership Training Day in Michigan was a great opportunity for chapter leaders from the state to gather, learn from each other, and build community,” Lydia Goff, the Faculty Advisor at the University of Michigan said. “I loved hearing what other schools are doing in their communities to promote inclusion, as well as having the opportunity to brainstorm collaboratively as well as work to live out the Best Buddies mission.”

This year’s Leadership Training Day welcomed 10 leaders from five schools across the state. Best Buddies in Michigan is looking forward to the 2023-24 school year to creating meaningful friendships and successful inclusion on campuses throughout the state.

If you are interested in learning more about Best Buddies in Michigan or getting involved and supporting this work, please email Michigan@bestbuddies.org or visit www.bestbuddies.org/michigan.