Lead is a yearlong leadership program that requires students to attend monthly workshops, meeting and events with their team members. The program requires that students attend:
You will be placed on a team of approximately 19 other high school students from around your regional area.
Students on your team will be from the all the BwB-affiliated high schools in your regional area.
There is no fee for becoming a part of this program. There will be times, however, when we ask you to bring your own lunch or provide your own transportation.
You will be notified, by a mailed invitation, to our first meeting called the Kick-off. The invitation will include the date, place and time of the Kick-off and will allow you and your family time to plan your attendance.
We look for students who are not involved or committed to extra-curricular activities. This program takes students who have not had the opportunity to develop or exercise their leadership potential* and enrolls them in an intense experience. Therefore, there is a high expectation to attend all required events.
Building with Books, also called BwB, is a non-profit organization headquartered in Stamford, CT. BwB was founded in 1991 with the mission to "enhance education and empower youth in the U.S. to make a positive difference in their communities while helping people of developing countries increase their self-reliance through education."
BwB runs after school programs in the US, which have three main activity areas: Community Service, Sponsorship, and Fundraising. Internationally, we build schools in developing countries.
Other than the initial application, there is no paperwork needed before you are accepted.
Once you are accepted to the program you will need:
a signed Covenant
Each document will be given to you with a due date.
*Your social security number will be due before you can start the program.
What does the interview entail?
The Lead Coordinator in your region will either conduct the interview over the phone or in person - either way they will contact you to set it up. They will mostly ask you to further explain the answers you provided on your application.
The interview will last anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. The interview is intended to determine if you are ready to join such a commitment, how will you fit into the team, and what you hope to get out of the experience.
What if I have to go to summer school?
We interview in the spring and because most students are not aware of their summer school status at that time, we will monitor the probability of summer school.
Lead is an intensive commitment especially in the summer months; therefore, we are very hesitant to take students assigned to summer school. However, there is discretion by the Lead Coordinator as to whether or not a student with summer school obligations will be chosen for the team.
What is the role of the mentor?
Every team of students will have an adult mentor. The Lead Coordinator will act as Mentor and will be there as a support for Lead students as they journey to becoming strong leaders.
Mentors will frequently call students to remind them of obligations to attend meetings, workshops, service projects, etc. Also, they will help them navigate personal issues and challenges.
There will also be Peer Mentors on the team. These are students who have been on the Lead Team for a year or longer and can be a positive peer support and encouragement, helping new members stay on track.
Who are the Peer Mentors?
The Peer Mentors are students who are returning to the Lead team for a second year. These students have extra responsibilities to help guide the team. They are expected to go above and beyond the base level members. Peer Mentors are expected to make phone calls, conduct presentations, and attend planning meetings among other obligations.
Where will we meet?
The places for Lead activities change, depending on the event. We would love to meet at the same place for all workshops but because activities vary, you will know the meeting place about two weeks in advance. We have a permission slip for the events and will make phone calls a day or two prior to the event as a reminder.
Is the summer Service Learning Trip overnight?
Yes, the trip will be out of town and last for five days and four nights. Parents/Guardians will receive an emergency card and have an information session offered to them so they can ask questions.
How many adults will there be on the trip?
There will be two adults on the trip. We will work very hard to provide a male and a female staff person but if not there will be two female staff. Our staff is also trained to administer First Aid and CPR if necessary.
What are my transportation options?
We do our best to make sure the activities are close to public transportation. We also do our best to provide clear directions but we also expect students to write down the information.
We also ask students to call each other and rely on Peer Mentors to make sure students are clear on where to go. We do not have our own private transportation. It is the student’s responsibility to use their best available means of transportation. We do provide reimbursements as needed.
What are the social activities?
They vary. It depends on the types of activities available in the region, the preferences of the students, what we can get discounted or donated, etc. Past activities include ice-skating, NBA and Major League Baseball games, the movies, lunch, and amusement parks.
How will this program benefit me?
This program will put you in position to discover the power you have to make a difference in the life you are living. You will receive a stipend so you have the means to be committed to the workshops and other activities.
You will discover more about yourself than you knew before while also developing great leadership skills! And even if you don’t want to run for President one day, you will still discover how great you are! You will also have fun!
What will the summer be like?
Your summer starts right at the end of the school year with an overnight trip and continues for six weeks.
You will be away for five days on the Learning Service Trip. Wen you return, you will have the Fourth of July holiday off and then have professional development for three to four days to prepare you for your internship.
From weeks three to six you will work at your internship three days per week and meet with the team on a fourth day.
Can my friends join?
Your friends are encouraged to apply for Lead as long as they fit the criteria. They must attend a BwB school and be in the 9th, 10, or 11th grade to be considered. To qualify they must be a documented citizen, not plan to attend summer school, and not have commitments, which will interfere with their ability to complete the program in full.
How much is the stipend?
You can earn a stipend of up to $800. (In other words, the full $800 is not guaranteed.) The stipend will be divided in four checks given to the student on a quarterly basis.
When do we get our stipend?
Each student must earn his or her quarterly stipend. This means there are a number of requirements per quarter and the student needs to complete these before receiving the stipend. The quarterly disbursements are in June, September, December, and March.
For more details on the process please see our Stipend Agreement, which every student and parent must sign before they begin the Lead program.
Additional questions
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Lead Coordinator at your school (click here for the list) or Vanessa Liles, Youth Outreach Manager at vliles@buildingwithbooks.org or (203) 357-6635.
Back to the Lead home page.
