Facilitator Guide
Hats of Leadership-Youth and
Young Adults
High Plains Relay U
2008
The Hats of Leadership
High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Module Overview
Audience:
 American Cancer Society staff, and Relay For Life Youth and College Event
Leadership Volunteers
 Recommended group size: 20-30
Objectives: Objectives:
 Examine our leadership styles and determine the best way to lead our
committees to success.
 Understand the many different roles a leader must play
Time Required: 1 hour 15 minutes
Preparation:
Room Set-Up:
 U-shape with participants sitting on the outside or round tables depending on
the size of your breakout rooms.
 Table in front of the room for facilitator materials, handouts, etc.
 Decorations
 Flip Chart and Easel.
Allow sufficient time to:
 Create flipcharts.
 Copy and distribute handouts.
 Decorate the room.
 Welcome participants.
 Write icebreaker songs on index cards (divide evenly)
 Create “save the date” cards to direct participants to relayforlife.org
 Create situation cards for activity – depending on group size, you may have to
have more than one card per situation
 Each table should have at least 10 index cards, a centerpiece, confetti, and
“save the date cards” on it before participants arrive
All preparation should be completed at least 30 minutes before the session.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Materials:
 Quotes to decorate the walls
 Balloons or other decorations
 Markers (provided)
 Tape (provided)
 Boom box playing music (provided)
 Two flip chart pads (provided)
 Candy (optional)*
 Other: Poster board for quotes; Blown-up pictures of famous leaders; confetti;
centerpieces; leadership quotes
 Hats to represent each of the leadership characteristics
Hat Description Ideas:
“The Professional” – White plastic brimmed hat with black ribbon around it. Feather
sticking out of ribbon. Imagine the hats businessmen wore in the early 1900s.
“The Ringleader” – Pink top hat with orange polka dots.
“The Goal-Setter” – Cowboy hat with fake dollar bills and money symbols sticking out of
the top.
“The Energizer” – Large, colorful sombrero with pom-pom attached
Presenters Note: These descriptions are just suggestions. All materials were purchased
at dollar stores and craft stores for minimal price, but depending on budget, making
actual hats may be an issue. If you cannot afford to construct actual hats, perhaps get
an artistic committee member to draw your hats on flip charts…remember, you don’t
actually have to wear them to make the impact, it’s all about what you say and how you
say it!
Icons
Facilitator creates a flip chart.
Facilitator shows a video
Exercise performed by participants; or activity lead by facilitator
Information in a PowerPoint slide
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The Hats of Leadership
High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Facilitator asks a question of participants.
Indicates a very important point that needs to be addressed
Handout*
*Note—anytime you see this icon it indicates there should be a
corresponding document listed^ as a handout. All handouts will be
inserted as full documents at the end of the guide in the order in which
they are to be referenced during the breakout.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Prepared Flip Charts:
(Insert the actual text needed for each flip chart page below. This is the resource
that the facilitator will use to prepare his/her flip charts that will be utilized during
the session.)
Welcome to the “Hats of Leadership”
Agenda
Introductions/Ground Rules
Icebreaker
What is Leadership?
The Hats of Leadership
How will you lead?
Wrap Up/Q and A
Objectives
 Examine our leadership styles and determine the best way to lead
our committees to success.

Understand the many different roles a leader must play
Ground Rules
Turn cell phones to silent
No Texting
Participate
Have Fun!
Parking Lot
Flipcharts for key point #1
“What is Leadership?
Flipchart for key point #2
The Hats of Leadership
The Professional
The Ringleader
The Goal-Setter
The Energizer
Flipchart for key point #3
How will YOU lead?
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The Hats of Leadership
High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Facilitator Agenda:
(Adjust times as appropriate to fit your needs and your schedule)
Note: it is also suggested that within the body of the facilitator guide that the time for
each agenda topic be broken down further to assist the facilitator in knowing how much
time should be spent on content for that section, how much time for exercises and
activities, etc.
________________________________________________________________
Welcome/Introductions, Agenda review, Objectives
5 minutes
Icebreaker
5 minutes
What is Leadership?
5 minutes
The Hats of Leadership
40 minutes
How will you lead?
15 minutes
Wrap Up/Q and A
5 minutes
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The Hats of Leadership
High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Welcome/Introductions, Agenda Review, Icebreaker
(10 minutes)
________________________________________________________________
Welcome / Introductions
Facilitators will introduce themselves.
 Have emails on wall to remain up throughout session
Agenda Review
Facilitator will review the agenda items listed on the agenda flipchart.
Agenda
Introductions – Ground Rules
What is Leadership?
The Hats of Leadership
How will you lead?
Wrap-up /Q and A
Objectives
Facilitator will review the objectives listed on the objectives flipchart.


To examine our leadership styles and determine the best
way to lead our committees to success
To understand the many different roles a leader must play
Icebreaker:
HUM THAT TUNE: Everyone is asked to stand up and take their things with them. As
people entered the room, facilitators gave them each small piece of paper with the
name of a nursery rhyme or other song written on the paper. (i.e. “Row, row, row your
boat,” “Rock-a-bye baby,” etc.) All of the people who are given the song must hum that
tune and find everyone else humming the same song. They then form a group. This will
be the group they sit with for the rest of the session.
Tunes:
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The Hats of Leadership
High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Row Row Row Your Boat
Rock-a-bye Baby
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Happy Birthday
Yankee Doodle
I’m a Little Tea Pot
You are My Sunshine
Jingle Bells
Once everyone is in a group and seated, talk about how this exercise demonstrates
communication and teamwork. When everyone is working as an individual, it’s chaotic,
but as the team builds and people start working together, it gets easier.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Agenda Topic #1: What is Leadership?
(5 minutes)
________________________________________________________________
Facilitators will introduce topic with a flip chart that simply says, "What is leadership?"
and ask the participants what they think leadership is all about. One facilitator will call
on people while the other writes down the words people say, i.e. "delegation" or "lead by
example” on a separate flip chart paper (this allows you to keep flip chart tablet neat
and keep the output from each group to hang on the walls).
After a sizable list has formed, facilitators explain that ALL of these words contribute to
great leadership. Explain that just as these words suggest different emotions/actions, a
great leader is expected to fulfill many different roles, or wear many different hats, so to
speak.
Interactive activity to support your key points:
Participants will shout out single words or phrases to describe what they think
leadership is; facilitator will record words/phrases on flip chart.
Supporting flip charts for key points:
“What is Leadership?”
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Agenda Topic #2: The Hats of Leadership
(40 minutes)
________________________________________________________________
For each Hat, facilitators will literally change hats to signify the specific roles. Be sure to
move around the room and keep people's attention. Be sure to pause after each Hat for
questions, but be careful not to get side tracked into an intense discussion. Utilize the
parking lot if necessary.
Supporting flip charts for key points:
The Hats of Leadership
The Professional
The Ringleader
The Goal-Setter
The Energizer
"The Professional"
Ask the participants: what do you think of when you hear the word professional?
Potential answers: prepared, someone who is dressed nicely, organized, businesslike.
You are a representative of American Cancer Society, your Relay For Life event, and
your school.

Look and act the part – dress professionally, or if wearing ACS gear, be clean
and neat. First impressions are everything. If you look professional, you will be
taken seriously. Act respectfully and be on your best behavior. Watch language,
tone, etc.

You must be prepared and organized whenever you are dealing with outsiders,
and make sure your materials are correct and neat.

It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are with – if you are wearing the ACS
logo or talking about ACS, you are a representative. The way you conduct
yourself could form someone’s opinion on ACS forever – don’t you want it to be a
positive one?

When you graduate, remember other students will fill your shoes. Pass on
contacts, don’t end relationships. Keep your ACS Staff and your advisor
informed and utilize their resources.

If you haven’t yet, get in touch with Student Government and University
Employees who will be working with you at the beginning of the school year. It
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
can be as simple as a friendly hello saying you are looking forward to working
with them this year and that you are EXCITED!

Form relationships with Administration and Student Government. This really is
the stepping stone into the real world. It is time you start now and work
professionally! Plus, who knows when these people may be able to give you
special help for your event.
Interactive activity to support your key points:
Divide the participants into two groups. Provide them a card with the following
scenario:
Your CAC/Relay and another large, non-profit student organization on campus have
both "reserved" a certain advertising space on campus because of a mix-up with the
reservations office. When your committee member and their committee member both
show up to paint, a very public argument ensues. The director of student organizations
calls you and the other student leader into his office to discuss the situation. How do
you prepare for this meeting? What are some important characteristics that you want to
maintain during the meeting? How could this affect your future relations with the other
group?
Have the groups discuss the questions among themselves and then share their
answers.
Be sure to touch on the following:
Compromise, help each other succeed since both non-profits are doing good for the
campus. In the meeting, keep a calm tone and open mind. State your case without
becoming defensive. After conflict is resolved, talk to your committee about what
happened and the outcome, make sure everyone understands the rules so it doesn’t
happen again.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
"The Ringleader"
The event leader has to coordinate committee activities, day of event happenings and
plan for the future.

Run Effective meetings- have an agenda and stick to it. Prepare committee
members for the length of the meeting and what they are expected to report.
Have someone assigned to take minutes and send them out afterward. If
conflicts arise, handle them in a professional manner and keep the meeting on
track. A personal meeting may need to take place later to address ongoing
issues.

Keep mission in meetings. Make sure that you take time each meeting to
stress WHY we're here and working so hard. Maybe have a "Why I Relay"
testimonial or a mock, shortened luminaria ceremony, just to reinforce the
motivation for all their hard work. Utilize “mission moments” – visit
www.relayforlife.org/relay/crfb

Your role is to oversee work –not do it for them. Have a VP or Co-chairs.
There is not one person running the show it is many! People come to make a
difference, give them the opportunity. Even at small schools, having more than
one person in charge is a GREAT idea. However, remember to “Trust but
Verify!”

Day of Event
Assign last minute tasks to others. The day of the event people
should be reporting to you and you should be advising them
accordingly.
Have a map and execution plan. Have a system set up beforehand
so everyone knows exactly where to be and exactly what to do.
Don’t let people see your stress and frustration! Set an example for
the committee, i.e. follow through, participate (walk!), and keep up
the energy.

Succession Planning - EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!
Look for possible successors ASAP. You should always be
replaceable. “The Potential Speech” - There is nothing more
encouraging than having someone you look up to giving you praise.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Shadowing – allow possible successors to watch you do your job
and include them on your thought processes and decisions.
Notebooks and binders - Keep organized, contact sheets, RFL
layout, budgets to be passed out to future leaders. You should
prepare your successor to be as good, if not better, than you.
Look ahead – Don’t put people in the same position that didn’t do
their work this year. Take personal relationships out of the
equation. If they fail to accomplish work this year, it’s their fault. If
they fail to accomplish it again next year, it’s your fault for putting
them back in the same position.
Have meeting or retreat for old exec board members to pass info
on to new exec board members. Talk in detail about what
happened this year and why, timelines, etc. Make plans for the next
few years.
Interactive activity to support your key points:
Provide the groups a card with the following scenario:
During your first committee meeting of the year, one of your committee chairs disagrees
with everything you put forth. She thinks the goals are too lofty, your shirt design is
inappropriate, the theme is silly, etc. While the vast majority of the committee seems
receptive to your ideas, this one individual and a few select followers remain very vocal
about how they don't like the ideas that you and your co-chairs came up with. How do
you deal with this person during the meeting? What kinds of things will you say to her?
Who else should you involve in the conversation? What action should be taken?
Have the groups discuss the questions among themselves and then share their
answers.
Be sure to touch on the following:
It is always best to address people away from the group, never call someone out.
However, do not let one negative committee member derail your meeting. Not
everyone will always agree on the Relay plans, see if you can compromise. Let the
person be heard, and then talk them through finding a solution. If it seems to be out
of your control ask the advisor or ACS chair to be the mediator.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
"The Goal-setter"
Event leaders work with their staff partner and committee to set realistic, yet
challenging goals.

Know your campus- analyze past numbers and plan to make progress. How
much of the campus is actually involved? What is the potential?

Set a Timeline- to reach goals - i.e. 25 teams by Winter break. Setting
timelines will help you and your committee to work gradually instead of
leaving everything until the last minute.

Give updates on progress and push people to reach goals.
Interactive activity to support your key points:
Provide the groups a card with the following scenario:
Last year was the greatest Relay your school has ever seen. It raised a fantastic
amount of money and you're feeling really good about this year's potential. You set your
goal higher this year but you check the numbers and realize you've barely made a dent
in your goal. What do you do? How will you motivate your participants and committee
members to push toward achieving the goal? What do you think about when making
these decisions?
Have the groups discuss the questions among themselves and then share their
answers.
Be sure to touch on the following:
It's always good to have a team recruitment committee or a strong publicity team that
can hype up people (consider new campaigns or re-hash old ones). Reach out to
freshmen/incoming class. Find a new and creative way to push people to smaller,
stepping-stone goals. Be sure to keep your staff partner and advisor in the loop if there
is a chance that your goal cannot be reached.
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The Hats of Leadership
High Plains Relay U -- 2008
"The Energizer"
As the event leader, you set the tone. Leaders who are energetic and make their
committee feel appreciated get results.

You can be serious and strong leader with a sense of humor; people will want to
come back, feel more relaxed, and give their best. It's not all business! RFL/CAC
is FUN!

Be extremely appreciative of everyone. Compliment people in front of the group
and ALWAYS THANK THEM!!! If certain members have gone above and
beyond, give them special recognition.

Model the attitude and drive that you want them to have. Demonstrate a strong
work ethic and your committee will follow.

Get Personal – learn everyone’s names and something about their lives outside
of CAC/Relay. It will make them feel good when you say, “How did your soccer
game go, Matt?”
Interactive activity to support your key points:
Provide the groups a card with the following scenario:
You did poorly on your big midterm because you were up late planning for your
CAC/RFL benefit concert, which happens to be tonight! Your committee members are
all stressed out and not helping as much as usual because it's midterm time. But you
have to give a short, enthusiastic speech at the concert tonight to inform the audience
about RFL/CAC. How do you work up the strength to present yourself in front of all
those people? Who can you talk to help you or pump you up? What kind of plan of
action can you make to solve all of these problems?
Have the groups discuss the questions among themselves and then share their
answers.
Be sure to touch on the following:
Even though you had a terrible day, you need to put on your game face and have a lot
of energy. Put your other problems on hold momentarily. To get motivated for the
event, try reading about or watching one of the inspirational videos that ACS has, or just
think of your personal reason that you do what you do. Talk to your co-chairs about the
positive work you are doing and it will rejuvenate you.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Agenda Topic #3: How will you lead?
(15 minutes)
________________________________________________________________
On an index card from the table, each person will sit individually and write down their
personal leadership goals for the year or things they want to be sure to keep in mind
while leading their committees. Each person should write at least 3 things that they are
committing to do as the leader of their Relay or committee and keep these goals with
them all year.
Ask individuals who are comfortable with sharing to name some of their goals.
Tell them to tape it to their desk or clip it inside their binder, somewhere that they will
constantly be reminded of their commitment.
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High Plains Relay U -- 2008
Review, Wrap-Up, Call to Action
(5 minutes)
________________________________________________________________
Review the objectives of this session to make sure you have come full circle with
your audience. Make this part of the breakout interactive enough as to not lose
participant attention.
Objectives
 Examine our leadership styles and determine the best way to lead
our committees to success.

Understand the many different roles a leader must play
Time at the end of the session can be used for Q and A.
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For ease in printing the entire guide, please insert handouts here in their entirety
(Handouts should also be embedded or listed within the body of each agenda topic so
that the facilitators know which handouts are for which section).
(Click on “Insert” then select “file.” Choose filename and click “insert”)
________________________________________________________________
Leaders and Quotes
Leaders to be posted on the wall:
1. Dalai Lama - peace
2. Lance Armstrong – fighting cancer!
3. Bill Gates – technology
4. Al Gore – environment
5. Mother Theresa – peace
6. Eve Ensler (Vagina Monologues) – feminism
7. Oprah Winfrey – global awareness
8. Dr. John Seffrin (CEO of ACS) – cancer awareness
9. Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture) – fighting cancer, making the most of life
10. Michael Bloomberg (mayor of NYC) – environmental sustainability
11. Craig Venter (human genome head researcher) – medicine
12. Mark Zuckerberg (creator of facebook) – interpersonal communication
13. Wendy Kopp (founder of Teach For America) – education
14. Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple) – technology/business
15. Jesse Jackson – Civil Rights
Quotes to be prettily presented on pieces of poster board and displayed on wall:
1. “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions” – Dalai
Lama
2. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” – Peter F.
Drucker
3. “Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too.” – Robert Half
4. “Don’t tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and let them surprise you
with their results” – George S. Patton
5. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done
because he wants to do it.” – Dwight Eisenhower
6. “Inventories can be managed, but people must be led” – H. Ross Perot
7. “Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative, leaders
change things” – Jesse Jackson
8. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become
more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
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The Hats of Leadership
High Plains Relay U -- 2008
9. “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where
they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be” – Rosalynn Carter
10. “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction
and the will to carry on.” – Walter Lippman
11. “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim
fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” – Lao Tzu
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