1) “No negative words.” Words are very important, so we want to make our words true and constructive. Please don’t say “I’m bad, stupid, untalented….” If someone slips, the team tradition is to restore that with three positive statements about oneself or the other. This is to train ourselves to see the true and the positive, not the negative and false.
2) Try. Don’t assume you can’t do something, but try it, and see if you actually can. Those who consistently try will grow their skills and have more fun. There should be no spectators at a WAIT event or practice. Even those who aren’t doing that particular act can run the music, give ideas, clap, praise, be ready to solve a need, or pay attention.
3) Listen. When someone is talking, everyone should listen. No side conversations. It doesn’t matter what age or gender someone is: if they have something to say, the entire group should listen carefully. Active listening creates respect, and is a good life tool.
4) Living it. WAIT members live in a way that reflects our message. This means not flirting, dating, or treating each other outside of core family relationships (parents and children, brothers and sisters).
5) Respect is the way we live. We need to respect adults, respect brothers, respect sisters, and respect things. We need to respect our audience and respect those who invite us. We respect HIV-positive people, and those who work with them.
6) Reporting. In order to create a true understanding, we need to cultivate the habit of reporting to each other. Ideas are decided by consensus, and when someone carries something out, he or she should let the others know what is going on. Parents should model this standard, and every team member should do this as a matter of course.
7) Servant of Servants. At every moment, we are there to give love, to encourage, to support the needs of those around us. When we sing a song, dance, or give a powerpoint, we are thinking about how to love the audience. When we are together, we are thinking how to see what needs to be done, and do it voluntarily. This is how we can turn every negative into a positive. We are not there to perform and receive praise, but rather, to give a message that will save lives and change hearts. If we keep the focus on that, we can overcome the temporary difficulties and struggles
8) Safety. Priority one. This is extremely serious, and often, the parent figures will be the sentinels in this area. If a certain move seems dangerous, it should not be attempted. When out in public, certain rules must be created to ensure that all members are safe. Traveling will require various safety precautions.
9) Family unity. Each team member, and each family, will be continually increasing in hard work, skill levels, kindness, appreciation, and communication. WAIT members automatically grow tighter and more supportive of each other in important life choices, and they encourage correct relationship with parents and others. Truly, 99% of the “work” of WAIT is invisible, and has to do with growing the heart relationships.
10) Offering; honoring faith traditions. Although not based in any one faith, we value the importance of prayer and meditation at each new step. In vehicles, at performances (before and after) and at the beginning or conclusion of events, a group moment of centering is important. This helps bring everyone’s energy together into the new direction, and it creates a positive reminder of the purpose.
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