10. Es una forma de contribuir a tu comunidad y al mundo.

Al contribuir a involucrar a más adolescentes judíos, a que participen en la acción social y el servicio comunitario, y a crear un ambiente seguro y cohesionado para la comunidad judía de tu localidad, estás aportando tu granito de arena y haciendo que tu comunidad y el mundo sean un lugar mejor. Al actuar como líder, también estás inspirando a otros a convertirse en líderes.

9. Queda bien en las solicitudes para la universidad y de empleo.

Being a leader within BBYO provides you with experience, knowledge, perspective, connections, and opportunities that are hard to find anywhere else. Teens, alumni, parents, partners, BBYO Staff, and advisors all recognize the time commitment that being a leader takes. Among these, Matthew Grossman, the CEO of BBYO, writes a letter to major college admissions officers to express the significance of leadership in BBYO.

8. Te ayuda a ganar confianza.

One of the amazing things about being a leader is the support that you get from both adults and teens. Closed caucus elections (candidates are not revealed until the day of elections) are run to ensure that each leader is qualified and dedicated. Leaders often stand up in front of the room, write speeches, lead services and programs, and guide members. The tolerant and embracing atmosphere of BBYO promotes poise in student leaders. Leaders are not limited to any “type,” and that is very prominent in BBYO. Each leader can put themselves in their position and feel confident while doing so.

7. Conoces a gente con intereses similares.

Cuando se reúne a un grupo de adolescentes apasionados, comprometidos y motivados para que ejerzan de líderes, lo imposible se convierte en posible. Desde que formo parte de este proyecto, he establecido vínculos muy significativos y sólidos con otros adolescentes, y al liderar juntos, nos unimos más y aprendemos unos de otros.

6. Mejora tus habilidades sociales tanto con adolescentes como con adultos.

I came into BBYO as an awkward 8th grader, scared of confrontation with adults. 3 years later, I can easily have conversations with strangers, make new members feel comfortable, have in-depth conversations with adults, and feel confident in everyday interactions with people.

Just a couple weeks ago, I had the amazing opportunity to have dinner with the BBYO Board of Directors. I went in extremely nervous that I wouldn’t be interesting enough, that I wouldn’t have anything to say, and that they simply wouldn’t be interested. I am happy to report that everything went incredibly well, and I can thank the social skills that I have developed with teens and parents through BBYO.

5. It heightens your own BBYO experience.

“It’s what you make it. The more you put in, the more you get out.” These words were said to me in 8th grade at my region’s New Member Convention by one of my biggest BBYO role models. BBYO is an experience that you build yourself. You decide to come to an event, to talk to new people, to register, to host, to run for the board, to go to conventions, and to go on summer programs. The advice she gave me really made me think, and I could not be more thankful for it. I can’t count how many times I’ve looked back on that advice and made a decision because I could feel what was right.

Este mes de febrero tomé la decisión de presentarme tanto a la Junta del Consejo como a la presidencia de mi sección, algo que, según me dijeron, sería demasiado para mí. Ocho meses después, mi mandato en la sección está llegando a su fin y no me arrepiento en absoluto de la decisión que tomé.

4. Es una oportunidad que no encontrarías en ningún otro sitio.

Unlike many organizations, especially those of a magnitude similar to BBYO, AZA and BBG are teen-led. All teens write programs, figure out all program logistics, invite members, run all social media, communicate with both teens and parents, handle funds, and elect future boards. This kind of trust and independence is not given with being a class officer, a team captain, or a club president.

3. Contribuyes a moldear las experiencias de los demás.

BBYO is what you make it. Every hour I spend on a call, planning a program, or writing an email, I benefit or elevate someone else’s experience, just how someone else did for me when I was a general member.

2. Te proporciona habilidades que te ayudarán a tener éxito en la vida.

BBYO has helped me develop skills such as:

Hablar en público: cada vez que me presento a unas elecciones, preparo un discurso para leerlo. También he dirigido programas y servicios ante grandes grupos de adolescentes.

Capacidad de organización: para poder completar mis tareas a tiempo y con un alto nivel de calidad, y para facilitar el trabajo a los demás miembros de la junta, era importante que me mantuviera organizado.

Time Management - as I became more active in BBYO leadership, I also had to make time family, extracurriculars, school, sleep, work, and a social life. It became essential for me to get things done in an efficient way so that I could get everything done.

Habilidades de marketing y comunicación: he aprendido a comercializar y promocionar eventos para atraer a un amplio abanico de públicos, así como a comunicarme con las personas de forma concisa y llamativa.

Tecnología: gracias a Google Docs, Formularios, Hojas de cálculo, Presentaciones y otras herramientas, he aprendido a utilizar la tecnología para crear folletos, organizar mis ideas y asegurarme de que todos los miembros estén presentes.

1. ¡Es divertido y gratificante!

Overall, I put so much time into BBYO because I love it, plain and simple. It makes me feel like I am making a difference, I have a great time at events, and I meet amazing people along the way. I implore every teen in BBYO to seek out leadership positions and take advantage of the incredible opportunity before them.