So my kid, along with so many other kids who are rising Juniors & Seniors are starting this year in such a mixed up way. My daughter is now getting used to disappointment with thing after thing being cancelled due to the virus. Now, with her high school going online until further notice, more cancellations that affect her Junior year plans: she was nominated to be the president of her school's military service club, all her music programs (band, jazz band) where she would continue her section leading is on hold as are her roles in Nat'l Honor Society and Key club. Upon hearing the school's updates of how school is shaping up to be today and their statements of "we hope to be in person after winter break" her only comment was "great...now I'll never get into the CGA with nothing to list for Junior year" I don't even know how to guide her for service opportunities or leadership positions when everything is at a stand still...and you can't put down "was supposed to lead this...was supposed to be captain of that" What are other students planning as a way of salvaging something for next years applications?
I posted this in another forum a couple of weeks ago. Note that these don't specifically require going through the school to "get permission" but instead could be organized and publicized via word of mouth, church, community organization or plain old networking. Getting "followers" and helpers is the same - not through a formal school program but through word of mouth, social media, etc.
Seriously, there are MORE potential leadership opportunities DUE to COVID and unlike the more normal pre-COVID activities like School Clubs and School Sports, there are not a chain of folks in line waiting for them.
I don't have a list of ideas figured out ahead of time but here are a few off the top of my head:
1. Organize shopping pickups for people who really should not go out dues to other conditions. Further, these people often need other errands and small tasks done which don't take much time/effort but they can't find people to do them.
2. Virtual Learning Assistance - Many parents are less able than others to assist their elementary and above kids with their virtual schooling. Many kids are moving backwards in an academic sense and they need tutors or assistants to help them. This is a serious and widespread problem.
2a. Virtual Learning Assistance for Special Needs students - Even MORE of a pressing need. You could really help some lives here
3. Communications help for the non-digital natives - Many seniors were used to being with their families on a regular basis and are now unable to do so. Many in Nursing homes/care facilities have this issue but also many live out in communities across the country and I will bet that there are some pretty close to you. They might or might not have equipment such as computers, IPADs or even smartphones but even if they do, they might not be able to utilize features such as Facetime, Zoom, etc. That is where a motivated young person can make a positive impact.
Doing some of these things on an individual basis looks nice but getting more kids to help will both enable you to help more people AND will show leadership and initiative. I threw these ideas together pretty quickly - there are undoubtedly many more opportunities than this.