15 PointsSuccessfully Involving Youth in Decision-Making

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Point 1 Define Decision-MakingMaking choices about actionGive young people the chance to participate in the decisions that affect their lives

Making Decision involves:

Planning activitiesResearching alternativesRecruiting peopleDirecting actionEvaluating experiencesAdvocating for changeMentoring one another

Decision-Making is ChangingIn the past, organizational decision-making was a formal process, voting when the chairperson called for a vote.Involving youth in decision-making the process can be more dynamic, involving internet surveys and discussion groups.Decisions-making can be big and small they happen everyday, everywhere.

Decision-Making Can be Big & SmallExamples of Decision-making

1. E-mail to a supervisor2. Involvement in planning a town hall meeting3. Participation in a hiring committee

There is no surer way to teach responsible decision-making than to involve young people in decision-making that is bigger than themselves that is, community decision-making. That community can be a youth group, a classroom, an organization, a neighborhood, a city, or a nation.

Does Every Person Have a Voice?Four Types of Decision-Making

Consensus everyone must agreeTop-down A chain of command, delegates to make decisions, take actionMajority Rule greatest number of people makes the choice for the groupNo Structure decisions are made with no specific process, people make individual decisions

Decision-Making ModelDefine the opportunity or problemIdentify the possible alternatives/choicesSelect a preferred course of actionImplement the actionEvaluate the results

Basic Assumptions about Youth in Decision-MakingInvolvement should strive towards equal partnershipCreate a culture that honors youth as full members of our communityInvolvement should include:

Right to raise issuesChallenge assumptionsProvide inputConduct researchVote on decisionsReflect on experience

Basic Assumptions(continued)Decision-making doesnt just happen in meetings

Between meetingsIn subcommitteesIn social gatheringsPhone conversations email, text messages

Ways to Involve YouthBudgets: How activities are fundedPolicy-making: Youth perspective for rules, legislation that affect youth, families, communitiesResearch: Youth identify issues that affect them

Curriculum design: What will meet their needs?Technology: Youth assets, web design, technology assistanceEvaluation: Offer youth perspectiveGrant-making: Offer youth perspective; learn valuable skills

Point 2 Know Why You Want to Involve YouthInvolving young people in decision-making

Helps them feel more connected with their communities Leads to positive feelings about belonging Promotes community ownership Encourages civic engagement and dedication to others

Youth todayleaders tomorrow

Common Motivations for Involving YouthYouth are uniquely qualified to say what works for young peoplePrograms become more effective when youth are involved (teaching, mentoring)Youth energy/action brings groups to life!Young people demand action (discussion, brainstorming, skill building)

Often decisions are made by adults youth deserve to have their voice heard!Meaningful opportunities offer learning experiences for youth & adultsYouth excitement can energize the communityYouth involvement leads to community engagement, more young people may stay and work in your community

Develop a Vision, Goals & ObjectivesInvolve youth in the processWhat is the Vision for youth involvement?

Example: ABC organization will work to sustain democracy in our community by engaging youth as leaders in all our activities.State your Goals

Goals sets a benchmark for your organizationGoals should be realistic and attainableDefine your Objectives

Specific steps to reach your GoalsCreate specific objectives for each activity

Heres an ExampleGoals: The Board of Directors of ABC organization will be restructured to ensure that one-quarter of its members are young people.Objectives:

Adults will be trained in how to partner with youth as equals by October of this year.All youth members will be conferred with full membership on the Board.The organization coordinator will devote 1/10th of her time monthly to supporting youth members.The agency will commit 2.5 percent of the annual budget for board and staff development in this area.

Point 3 Assess Your OrganizationConduct an Organizational Assessment based on the 15 Points (p. 39-42)Do you have Buy-In from your members to involve youth?Consider conducting youth-adult

one-on-one conversationsDiscuss members hopes & fears about involving youth

Point 4 Determine Your Approach

Two General Approaches

Involve young people directly in an existing adult body.Add board positions for youth members

Set up an adjunct body consisting of young people only.How will the group provide input to the primary governing body?What staff support is available to keep the youth group functioning well?

Determine Your Approach (continued)Discuss the pros and cons: whether to add youth to an existing group or create an adjunct youth bodyInvolve youth in the decisionRemember to consider the groups Vision and GoalsBe open to making changes in groups structure

Point 5 Overcome Organizational Barriers

Are there limiting attitudes & logistical challenges that prevent youth from fully participating in your organization?Define the Barriers what barriers will likely pop up?Do you need to adjust your by-laws?Do members hold stereotypical views about youth? What are your beliefs?Is the meeting schedule and location for meetings flexible?Language do you use jargon, abbreviations?Does your group have a recruitment plan?

Point 6 Overcome Personal BarriersWhat do we expect from young people?Do we expect excellence & initiative or do we coddle or control them?The Role of Power adults have more power & resources than youthAdultism Behavior, action, language or limitation placed on youth peoples rights that does not afford them the respect they deserve.Could you see a young person as a partner or only someone to mentor? Are there things you could learn from a young person?

Point 7 Address Legal IssuesDoes your organization have any legal limitations for involving youth?Does your organization need to rewrite by-laws, goals and objectives to include youth members?Will youth members be voting members?

Point 8 Recruit Young PeopleSteps for Effective Recruitment:

Be clear about what you want and develop a job descriptionDefine a recruitment processRecruit candidatesSelect candidatesNotify those accepted and rejectedDocument and evaluate your process

What Should You Look For?

Watch for over-committed youth, do they have the time to give to your organization or are they only looking for a resume building opportunity?Readiness for your organizationConfidence, assertiveness to speak up among adultsReadiness for responsibilityWillingness to workMotivation for the job, passion for the causeConnections with other youth, can help with recruitment

Point 9 Create a Strong Orientation ProcessCreate a letter of agreement, including responsibilitiesOffer an orientation sessionCreate opportunities for ongoing orientation/trainingConduct orientation for parents/guardiansFind an Adult Ally for youth membersEncourage youth to ask questions or ask for help if needed

Point 10 Develop Young LeadersEssentials of Supporting Young Leaders

Identify the basic skills needed to do the jobWhat training is needed? Create a training planChoose learning/training methodsReflect, evaluate lessons learnedSustain interest through ongoing support

Point 11 Provide Intergenerational TrainingBridge the gap between adults and young people so they can work more effectively togetherHelp adults remember what is was like to be a young personHelps youth respect where adults are coming fromHelps people really listen to each otherWhat do we have in common rather than how are we different?

Point 12 Facilitate Successful MeetingsCreate interactive agendas, how can we incorporate interactive activities in the agenda?What roles do we want specific young people and adults to play during the meeting?

Making Meetings More InteractiveConsider time, space, materialsGet off to a good start with check-in questionsBrainstormTalk in pairsUse small groupsGo-around at closingReflect how the meeting or an activity wentMeet as committees

Point 13 Foster Youth/Adult Partnerships

Young people are learning about life in everything that they do, including the work they do with you. Your work together will be more successful if you get to know the whole young person the one he or she is outside of his or her role with your organization. Strong, respectful relationships with adults and with each other give young people the safety and confidence to lead in their communities and transform their own lives.(15 Points: Successfully Involving Youth in Decision Making)

Its About Relationships

All successful community change programs work because of peoples relationships with each other.

Tips for Cultivating Partnerships Let young people be in charge the best way for young people to learn is by doing.Remember that you do not always know betterRemember the importance of involving parents

Be consistent and follow through with what you sayNever believe that young people dont have an opinionSpeak to young people with respectRemember to have fun!

Point 14 Develop a Mentoring PlanMentors as Allies Allies support and learn from the person they mentorMentoring is a necessity for new membersDesignate current members for new youth members to help coordinate, troubleshoot and facilitate the young persons involvement Follow-through

Point 15 Sustain Youth InvolvementTo Sustain Youth Involvement:

Ongoing SupportReflection whats workingEvaluation survey, observation, conversationCelebration & Appreciation

For more informationInformation for this presentation obtained from:15 Points, Successfully Involving Youth in Decision-Making.

For more information:Youth on Board58 Day StreetSomerville, MA 02144(617) 623-9900 x1242info@youthonboard.orgwww.youthonboard.orgFor more information in Iowa contact:Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development

www.icyd.org

Presentation prepared with permission from Youth on Board by Marilyn Alger, MSW