Happy April!
As we make our way into the Spring months, we are so excited to see what our teams accomplish as they finish out their semesters and prepare for a great Summer! There is so much to look forward to and so much to celebrate - you can read more below about what some of our Teams have been up to!
We hope you'll join us for our upcoming trainings (remember they are FREE), and we are excited to continue watching everyone achieve their goals and make an impact with your events. As always, please let us know how we can support your Team programming throughout the year.
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Operation Snowball, Inc. Trainings |
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You can click the link below to find the titles, descriptions and registrations for our upcoming trainings for the 2022 spring semester. These trainings are free and open to all. Please forward these on to your students and OS leaders. |
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QPR: Ask A Question, Save A Life
April 20
10:00AM to 12:00PM CST
Gatekeepers can be anyone who are strategically positioned to recognize someone at risk of suicide, and work with them to receive help (e.g. parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, coworkers, etc.). This presentation will eliminate the myth that only someone who is clinically trained can prevent someone from completing suicide.
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The Three-Layered Approach to Successful Team Action Planning
April 21
5:00PM to 7:00PM CST
Making a positive impact in your community takes time, drive, and passion, among so many other things. This event is open to youth and adults involved in Operation Snowball Teams, CGTI Action Teams, and is open to the prevention community.
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OS, Inc. Training Highlight |
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This past month OS, Inc. led a team building training for East & West Leyden High School. These OS Teams were determined to successfully complete each activity, and they did so with laughter and energy. They also got to play FOCUS Jeopardy and learn more about Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) |
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VVSD OS Facilitation Training |
OS, Inc. was so excited to lead the first facilitation training for one of our new OS Teams, Valley View School District (VVSD). These adults & students have begun to form their OS family and are dedicated to making their first Snowball event at the end of the month the best it can be. |
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Stevenson High School Snowball |
Stevenson High School spent their Snowball weekend up at Camp MacLean learning energizers, participating in low ropes courses, getting to know their peers in small groups all while taking positive steps outside of their comfort zones. Huge kudos to this OS Team! |
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Rich Township Snowball held their spring event this past weekend in a modified format. Their directors were flexible upon every last minute change and had such an impact on their students that many of them were asking "how do we become staff?" before the closing session even began. Join us in giving them a big standing “OHHHH YEAH. Good job, good, good, good job” on their successful event! |
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2022 Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute |
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Early Bird Registration Ends Today! |
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CGTI 2022 is slated for July 17 - 21 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. We can't wait to return to having a full capacity conference for the first time in three years.
This year's theme, Back and Better Than Ever, is all about the feeling of returning to the people, things, ideas and places you love in a new way to have a new experience. We are counting down the days until we can welcome you all back home to CGTI!
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What is the Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute (CGTI)?
The Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute (CGTI) is a youth leadership program that gives students the knowledge, confidence and skills to live a drug and alcohol-free life. Our Mid-Year conference offers our youth opportunities to hear from and work with renowned speakers, connect with peers from across the state, expand prevention education and more. Our conference serves as a foundation for skill development, youth and adult networking and, of course, fun!
Who Can Attend?
CGTI is open to all 7th - 12th grade students for the 2022-2023 school year, coming with a team or individually. This event is for students who are or want to be leaders in their schools and communities! We also encourage an adult from the school/community to attend to support the student's action plan.
What to Expect
Attendees will hear from seven keynote speakers, attend four breakout workshops, participate in team building activities with their discussion group, and develop an action plan with their team to create positive change.
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Registration Fees & Deadlines |
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Early Bird
$330/person
Now - April 15
Standard
$370/person
April 16 - May 31
Late
$400/person
June 1 - June 30
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For every team of 7 students, one adult mentor can register at no cost.
This covers overnight accommodations, program material, meals, and event shirt. There is an additional fee of $40 for those who would like to room alone.
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April Prevention Activities |
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Alcohol Awareness Month was started in April 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
Throughout the month, the movement focuses on sharing facts, ending stigma, and sharing resources. Anyone can get involved!
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May Prevention Activities |
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The Mental Health Awareness Toolkit serves as a manual to guide Action Teams and Individuals through the steps of bringing mental health awareness to your local schools, organizations and communities.
This toolkit will walk you through what activities and events you can host, the proper language to use when discussing mental health, what resources are available to youth and adults in your community and more.
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How to Bring tMHFA to Your
Snowball Team
We are excited to share that we are currently training the 10th grade class of one of our Snowball Teams, Stagg High School.
With your OS membership we offer a discount to bring tMHFA to your youth leaders.
Things to Note:
- 30 students max per training group.
- We can train up to 150 students at a time.
- Implemented in three 75 minute sessions or six 45 minute sessions.
- 100% OS Adults must be Youth MHFA certified.
- Virtual sessions will be offered soon!
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What is tMHFA?
The teen MHFA course teaches high school students how to provide mental health first aid to their friends. The course was developed in response to research indicating that young people have a preference for sharing problems with peers.
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In tMHFA, teens learn about the following:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Eating disorders
- Alcohol and other drug use disorders
- Psychotic disorders
Mental health crisis situations covered in tMHFA are:
- Having thoughts of suicide
- Threatening violence or harm to others
- Engaging in self-injury
- Being very intoxicated on alcohol or other drugs
- Experiencing a traumatic event such as bullying, abuse, or assault
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For inquiries and scheduling requests please contact Riley Cleary.
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We Want to Hear From You! |
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Operation Snowball, Inc. wants to continue to highlight OS Teams each month in our newsletter. Please continue to share with us the amazing work that you are doing in your schools and communities.
This may mean sharing photos of your events or weekly meetings, graphics and videos your group has created for your prevention programming, maybe it is a write-up from one of your students reflecting on a project you all completed. In other words, we want to celebrate YOU!
Be proud of all you have accomplished!
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MISSION STATEMENT: Operation Snowball is an international youth program that empowers student leaders through prevention education, community advocacy, and leadership development to a create positive impact.
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937 South Second Street | Springfield, IL 62704
217.528.7335 ext. 27
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