Yount Fireside: Content and Instructor Guide

NOTE: The purpose of the fireside is to build hope and enthusiasm for educational advancement. Priesthood leaders and family members should be invited in order to get an appreciation of the program.

1. Explain that the Yount Program operates under the priesthood authority of a local Area 70.
2. Read some quotes on the importance of education and invite them to raise their hand after each if the message has relevance to them.
3. Talk about Patriarchal Blessings. Patriarchal blessings provide clues to the talents we developed in our pre-life as well as what we need to develop for our afterlife as well as this life. These can often be used to guide our schooling efforts.
4. Deal with barriers to further education.
   1. Read or hand out the “barriers” list. Read the barriers one at a time and have the audience raise their hands if they think each reason is a major impediment to educational advancement for themselves or their friends. If you can’t identify the top two or three you may have to have them revote but only raise their hands for two of the biggest reasons.
   2. Spend a little time on the top three or four items, explaining that more help is provided in the Yount Seminar.
   3. Stress the Yount Program’s success in overcoming most barriers. Acknowledge that most people will have multiple barriers that will have to be overcome. Note: most groups will pick lack of money and time or lack of basic skill preparation.
5. Briefly explain the three services offered by the Yount Program (as per the pamphlet). Explain the difference between Yount mini stewardship grants and Yount Loans and who is eligible for each. Parts of the Yount Seminar is required for both (explain).
6. List the benefits of the Yount Seminar
   1. Obtain a better understanding of themselves and confidence in their potential
   2. Translate “the real me” into a career field and determine the next step
   3. Overcome any impediments that are blocking educational advancement
   4. Learn and use the factors that drive educational success
   5. Prepare an educational plan including a financing plan
   6. Learn how to locate financial aid, scholarships and loan options
   7. Learn how to use a school support network
   8. How to learn by faith as well as by study
7. If possible start the Yount Seminar as an extension of the briefing with no break in-between. After the workshop is well under way, circulate multiple sign-up sheets as needed to identify willing participants.
8. The Yount Seminar is designed to utilizes active learning (in contrast to passive learning), to raise interest and internal motivation, as well as increase learning. Include the “My Goal” section of the Career Workshop if there is time.
9. Hand out the Yount Seminar Participant Workbook to those who have registered for the seminar.
10. Recommended homework in preparation for the rest of the Yount Seminar

1. Explore the www.yountprogram.org Website
2. Narrow your career selection through a career assessment (see listed websites)
3. Do the self-assessment parts in first half of Yount Seminar Participant Workbook