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Question: Hi I am work for a Coalition in Virginia and we are planning on starting a Youth Board. Do you have any ideas as to how to arrange it or even start it?
Answer: Starting a youth board to build leadership and enhance your organization's efforts is always a great idea. The first step is to be clear about why you want a board and what you want the board to do. To increase the chances of success you should look for qualities and attributes of youth board members that relate to its activities. Set selection criteria that make for a strong and active board. Recruiting youth should start with who you know. Ask youth you know to help recruit. Its never too late to develop relationships with youth, too. Look to already existing youth groups (e.g., churches, schools, clubs) and let them know of your interests. The work of the board also has to be intersting to youth. You might ask youth to help determine the board's work so that it will be attractive to youth. Empower the youth group to set goals, plan their work, and support them so they can be successful. Here are a few Community Tool Box sections that might stimulate more thought: Chapter 22, Section 4. Recruiting Youth to Your Mentoring Program [/tools/en/section_1203.htm} or Chapter 9, Section 4. Developing an Ongoing Board of Directors [/tools/en/section_1095.htm]
Question Date: Fri, 09/07/2007