Leader Handbook
The essentials every MSA leader needs to know — expectations, processes, and the support behind you.
Welcome to MSA's Leadership Team
Thank you for stepping forward to serve. By volunteering with MSA Youth Academy, you're taking on one of the most impactful roles in our community — helping to shape the character, faith, and resilience of the next generation of Australian Muslim leaders.
This handbook gives you the essentials: your role, how sessions work, communication expectations, safeguarding responsibilities, and the Islamic ethos that sits at the heart of everything we do. It's not about rules for the sake of rules — it's about creating an environment where children thrive and leaders flourish.
"These children are Allah's amanah (trust) in your care. Your service is worship, your patience builds their character, your love is the most beautiful dawah they'll ever experience."
What It Means to Be an MSA Leader
Facilitator, Not Lecturer
Your role is to facilitate children’s discovery — not to lecture them. MSA uses a self-knowledge approach: we help children explore their divine design and discover Islamic principles through experience and reflection, creating internal conviction rather than external compliance.
Role Model
Children learn more from what you do than what you say. Your conduct, your patience, your kindness, your composure under pressure — these are the most powerful lessons you’ll ever teach. Embody the values you want to instil.
Guardian of Safety
The physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual safety of every child is your first priority. Maintain active supervision at all times. Be alert to group dynamics, safety risks, and individual needs. Troops must never be left unsupervised.
Team Player
You are part of a leadership team. Collaborate with the Group Leader (GL), Assistant Group Leader (AGL), Coordinators, and the Admin Team. Accept feedback with humility, offer advice with sincerity, and attend team meetings consistently.
The 5 P's of MSA Leadership
Punctual
Be on time. Support a smooth program start and flow. Arriving early shows your team and troops that you take this role seriously.
Prepared
Plan ahead. Bring all materials. Know your session goals. Preparation is a form of respect for the children and your team.
Productive
Use time effectively. Every session is an opportunity to help children grow — make the most of it.
Polite
Show Islamic manners (adab) and mutual respect in every interaction — with children, parents, and fellow leaders.
Positive
Create a hopeful, encouraging atmosphere. Children thrive when they feel believed in. Your positivity is contagious.
How a Typical Session Runs
Arrival & Welcome
- Greet every child by name — personal connection matters
- Mark attendance and note any absentees
- Quick check-in: How is each child feeling today?
- Opening du’a and brief Islamic reminder
Core Activity
- Deliver the session plan across the Four Pillars (Mental, Emotional, Environmental, Spiritual)
- Engage all age groups with differentiated activities
- Incorporate challenge, teamwork, and skill-building
- Link activities to Islamic values naturally — not forced
Reflection & Debrief
- What did we learn? What was challenging? What are we grateful for?
- Connect the session back to Islamic principles and character growth
- Award house points for effort, teamwork, and character — not just achievement
- Closing du’a together
Pack Up & Departure
- Supervised pack-up — leave the space better than you found it
- Ensure every child is collected by an authorised person
- Brief leadership debrief: what went well, what to improve
- Log any incidents or concerns
Communication Expectations
With Troops
- Speak with warmth, respect, and patience — always
- Use age-appropriate language and explanations
- Listen actively; make children feel heard and valued
- Never use sarcasm, mockery, or put-downs
- Avoid private one-on-one digital messaging with troops
With Parents
- Be professional, approachable, and transparent
- Share positive feedback about their child regularly
- Raise concerns sensitively and through the appropriate channel (usually the GL)
- Respect privacy — don’t discuss one child with another’s parents
- Respond to messages promptly and courteously
With Fellow Leaders
- Collaborate openly and share ideas generously
- Give and receive feedback with humility and sincerity
- Avoid backbiting, gossip, or undermining fellow leaders
- Support each other — this work is hard and your team is your strength
- Attend meetings and contribute to planning
Safeguarding Essentials
Valid WWC Check
Every leader must hold a current, verified Working With Children clearance before participating in any MSA activity. No exceptions.
Never Alone
Never be alone with a child in a secluded area. Maintain open, visible environments at all times. If you need to speak privately with a child, do so within sight of other leaders.
Physical Contact
Avoid physical contact unless necessary for safety and in line with Islamic manners. If a child is distressed and needs comfort, ensure you’re in an open space with others present.
Report Concerns
If you observe anything that concerns you about a child’s safety or wellbeing, report it to the Group Leader immediately. You don’t need proof — you just need a genuine concern.
Mobile Phone Use
Refrain from using mobile phones during sessions except for emergencies, timekeeping, authorised coordination, or MSA-approved photography. Be fully present.
Photography & Social Media
Do not share any content involving troops without official MSA permission. Respect privacy at all times.
The Islamic Ethos Behind Everything
MSA is not a "religious class." We are a youth development programme built on an Islamic foundation. This means our approach to faith is rooted in self-discovery, not compliance.
We don't tell children "You must pray because Allah commanded it." We help them discover: "When do you feel most peaceful and strong? Prayer can give you that feeling every day — it's special talking time with Allah!" The result is children who develop faith that strengthens through questioning rather than weakening.
As a leader, your role is to connect Islamic principles to real life — to show children how faith helps them become their best selves, navigate challenges, and serve their communities. Every session, every activity, every interaction is an opportunity to plant seeds of lasting Islamic character.
Our four pillars — Mental, Emotional, Environmental, and Spiritual Resourcefulness — ensure we develop complete, resourceful human beings who can thrive in any context while maintaining strong Islamic identity. Every session should touch all four pillars.
Support Available to You
Being a youth leader is rewarding but it can also be demanding. You are not expected to do this alone. MSA provides:
- Regular team meetings for planning, support, and reflection
- Session plans and curriculum resources prepared by the program team
- Safeguarding and leadership training throughout the year
- A Group Leader and leadership team you can always turn to
- A culture of mutual support — your fellow leaders have your back
If you're ever unsure, overwhelmed, or need guidance — reach out. Asking for help isn't weakness; it's wisdom. And it's exactly what we expect of good leaders.
"He who teaches knowledge and acts upon it will be called great in the heavens."
MSA Youth Academy Australia Inc. · ABN: 38 692 380 242