Engaging Young People in Decision-Making

March, 2009Umsobumvu Youth Fund YouthBuild Programme

Establishing an Effective Policy

Committee

A Policy Committee is. . .

A structured policy input and decision making structure made up of elected or selected participant and staff representatives.

Why Have A Policy Committee?

Examples of Policy Committee Examples of Policy Committee ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Consult on programme

design

Recommend policy changes

Select community service projects

Participate in hiring of staff

Review annual budget

Plan events

Mediate conflicts

Level of Buy-in

Time

Decide and Announce

Provide training,

knowledge on how and why decisions are

made

Represents the programme

Represents Young People

Levels of Decision-Making with Policy Committee

Adapted from Interaction Associates’ Facilitative Leadership Manual

Represents Policy Committee

Delegate to PC with

constraints

Collective decision-

making with PC(consensu

s, voting)

Gather input from

Policy Committee and decide

Option

Gather input from all

participants

Where should each example go for Ivory Park YouthBuild Policy Committee?

Selecting and planning a community service project

Policy on drug use after programme hours

Policy for scheduling one-on-one counseling sessions

Dealing with a serious infraction of the rules by another policy committee member

Complaints about a staff member being consistently disrespectful

Programme evaluation

Key Practices for Establishing an Key Practices for Establishing an Effective Youth CouncilEffective Youth Council

Ensure Structural Ensure Structural RespectRespect

Key Practices for Establishing an Key Practices for Establishing an Effective Policy CommitteeEffective Policy Committee

EnsureEnsureOperational Operational

RespectRespect

EnsureEnsureRelationship Relationship DevelopmentDevelopment

Ensure Structural Ensure Structural RespectRespect

1. Be clear about purpose, goals, roles, structure, expectations, tasks and time commitment of Youth Council. Ensure scope of work is meaningful and manageable.

2) Identify the opportunities and supports members will need to ensure success in their roles. Determine the staffing, financial, and time resources needed.

3) Ensure highest level of organizational staffing as possible.

PLANNINGTIME

1.Have well thought out process to select best possible members

2) Orient members well and then provide on-going training.

EnsureEnsureOperational Operational

RespectRespect

Effective Policy Committee Development

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T I M ET I M E

1-2 months 2-4 months

4 months on

3) Teach and use good meeting management and structured group process.

EnsureEnsureOperational Operational

RespectRespect

4) Have Fun and Celebrate.

2) Orient members well and then provide on-going training.

1) Recruit Well

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1. Be intentional about building relationships.

EnsureEnsureRelationship Relationship DevelopmentDevelopment

Effective Youth Council Development

ContentContentTrainingTraining

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1-2 months 2-4 months

4 months on

1. Be intentional about building relationships.

2) Understand the role of the staff partner

EnsureEnsureRelationship Relationship DevelopmentDevelopment

PLANNINGTIME

Good Luck