What do we mean by including youth on your board or committee? ___Including youth on boards, commissions, or committees means recruiting young people to serve as members or representatives on those bodies ___A Board of Directors is the formal governing body of almost all incorporated (and some unincorporated) non-profit organizations, initiatives, or institutions, and many public bodies as well ___A committee is a part of a larger organization or initiative, is formed to deal with a specific issue or area of functioning, or a freestanding body usually meant to address or oppose a particular issue ___A commission is a government body that has charge of a particular area of functioning, or a group appointed by government to study or oversee an event or issue ___Youth may be included on boards, commissions, or committees with full membership, with limited membership, in an advisory capacity, or as members of board committees, but not the full board Why include youth on boards, committees, and other similar bodies? ___Your board can gain insight into the youth perspective on issues and on its actions ___Youth can bring new and creative ideas ___Youth can inject new life into your board ___Board membership can make youth more conscious of and knowledgeable about community issues and the larger factors that affect their – and others’ – lives ___Youth board membership makes your group more inclusive and participatory ___Having teen board members is more likely to convince community youth to participate in your organization or support your positions ___By including youth on your board, you’re making a statement to the community about their importance and about their ability to contribute ___As a result of their interactions with youth board members, adults on the board may develop more positive attitudes toward young people ___You can increase the credibility of your group, both among youth and in the community in general, by acting on your principles ___If you’re a grassroots organization or initiative, having a diverse board that includes youth membership is likely to be consistent with your philosophy ___You’re encouraging youth leadership and developing the next generation of community leaders Challenges to including youth on boards: ___Youth may need help with meeting skills ___Most youth simply don’t have the background of knowledge and experience that most adult board members do ___Young people may be hesitant about speaking out, and may need lots of encouragement before they’re comfortable enough to feel that their opinions are valued ___Adolescents – even those that are generally quite mature – can be impulsive ___Incorporating youth members takes time ___Adult board members may have to change their assumptions about what youth are capable of ___While youths may be better advocates for the organization or initiative with other youth, they may have less credibility in the community with adults, especially those who are more conservative When is a good time to add youth members or representatives? ___When you’re starting a new organization or initiative, especially – but not limited to – one that addresses youth and youth issues ___When youth are not responding well to a program or initiative aimed at them ___When youth board members are a condition of funding ___When you need the youth perspective ___When you want to demonstrate – to youth, to the community, and/or to your board – that you believe in the abilities of youth to take responsibility if they’re given the opportunity ___When you want to empower a youth constituency ___When you want to prepare youth to take community leadership positions ___When members of the board request it Who should be involved in including youth on boards and committees? ___Educational efforts Local and state school boards Colleges and universities Private, alternative, and charter schools Adult literacy programs (many serve out-of-school youth) ___Youth-oriented or youth-focused efforts Peer counseling and peer tutoring programs Recreational programs (teen centers, skate parks, sports leagues and programs) Prevention programs targeting risk behaviors (i.e., delinquency, violence, tobacco and substance use, suicide, teen pregnancy and STI prevention efforts) Service providers to homeless and other at-risk youth Service learning and youth community service programs ___Community or larger-focused efforts that include youth as one of several targets or constituencies Community building efforts or organizations Health promotion or healthy community initiatives Health providers – hospitals, clinics, mental health centers Anti-poverty, anti-crime, or similar broad efforts Human service organizations State and local government agencies concerned with youth. (Legal restrictions may limit youth to a representative or advisory role on these boards.) Employment boards Young people who might be recruited as board members ___Those who are already active in sports, scouting, church groups, etc. ___Youth with first-hand knowledge of the issues and population you’re concerned with Current or former gang members Runaways or emancipated minors who live or have lived on the street Youth who’ve been involved with the courts Youth with direct or close secondhand (through relatives or close friends) experience of the issue the organization deals with or with street life in general Successful graduates of substance use programs Youth who have, or are working to, overcome academic difficulties or learning disabilities Youth who have been abused or have struggled with dysfunctional family situations Youth currently or formerly in foster care Adoptees Youth whose families have been homeless Recipients of your services, participants in your program, or potential beneficiaries of your initiative ___Youth who want to be involved, and/or who volunteer ___Youth with real leadership potential, including some who might be seen as “troublemakers” How do you engage youth on boards and committees? ___Decide whether you want youth members or representatives on your board ___Determine the niche you expect the young member(s) to fill ___Assess the readiness of your board to incorporate youth members ___Prepare as a board to accept youth members ___Recruit youth board members ___Train new youth board members ___Support youth board members ___Employ youth board members ___Monitor and evaluate the experience ___Incorporate what you’ve learned from evaluation, and continue to include youth on your board
