NORWICH – Motivational speaker Bob Lenz will be making his way back to Chenango County, making a total of three stops while in town later this month.
For those unfamiliar, Lenz has made a life of bringing several uplifting and encouraging messages tailored toward teens and middle school aged youths for more than 30 years.
Two school events will be held on Jan. 23, 2015 — a morning assembly at the Norwich Middle School, and an afternoon program at the Oxford Academy Middle School. A free-of-charge community event will take place that evening beginning at 7 p.m. in the Martin W. Kappel Theatre of the Chenango Arts Council (located at 27 W. Main St.) Organizers are encouraging everyone to attend.
Four years ago, Lenz spoke at the Norwich and Oxford middle schools and made a lasting impression on both his target audience and community members that came out to hear what he had to say.
Touring on the heels of a book titled “Dignity Revolution,” Lenz has made it his life's mission to spread a positive mission to America’s youth.
The publication is a guide of sorts for school administrators, teachers and students who are looking to establish anti-bullying programs within their schools.
Broad Street Methodist Church Youth Group Director Shawn Chase, along with Office Administrator Tricia Munson, have worked diligently to promote the return of Lenz.
“I recently attended one of Bob's assemblies and brought a copy of his new book back and shared it with middle school staff. They appreciated his message,” said Chase.
That appreciation, coupled with the positive feedback from the last time Lenz spoke in Chenango County, essentially sealed the deal for finding a way to bring Lenz back to the area to broadcast his constructive lessons.
“There's something about his comedic uplifting delivery that translates surprisingly well to middle school aged children,” said Chase. “Middle schoolers who are typically 'stand-offish' often form line to greet the motivational speaker with a warm hug while exchanging their experiences after assemblies,” he said.
While Lenz leads a faith-based lifestyle, his school programs are more of a community outreach endeavor and never “preachy.” Lenz doesn't solicit any sort of religion over another while speaking at the schools and regularly focuses on somber issues such as bullying, self-harm, and substance abuse while incorporating his unique gift of laughter.
The programs are sponsored by multiple faith and non-faith based organizations in Chenango County along with additional support from the local schools.
“There is more bullying that goes on than we realize —not just in school, but out of school via social media; and that has a profound effect on students, their academic performance, desire to attend school and overall self-esteem,” said Victoria Mitchell, who is assisting Chase and Munson with organizing the assemblies.
Mitchell, Chase and Munson all agree that there are more avenues now than in the past for bullying to take place, especially with the increase in portable technology combined with the power of social media.
“It's no longer just about having your lunch money stolen or being locked in the bathroom,” said Mitchell. “Today’s youths have the ability to snap a photograph of someone in a locker room without consent and post it for the entire world to see in a matter of seconds,” she said. “That's very frightening, and very permanent.”
Raising awareness is just half of the equation. According to Chase, speakers such as Bob Lenz make up the other half.
Chase indicated that communication is key, and that Lenz is an approachable conduit between school administrators, teachers and the community for opening those too often blurred lines of communication.
The three organizers also agree that being pro-actively engaged with young adults is much more efficient and useful than reacting after someone has been hurt.
"Bob's message is one that the entire community can get behind,"said Chase, "...and it shows when businesses, private contributors, multiple churches and schools all come together to support this type of programming," he said.
“We're extremely thankful to all of those who contributed to this positive community outreach project,” said Mitchell. “Our community – especially our youths – deserve the best we can offer them,” she said.
For more information about Bob Lenz, visit lifepromotions.com.