Talking Points: Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership (YPCL)

Talking Points:Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership (YPCL) • Coming together is a beginning…. • Keeping together is progress… • Working together is a success…

Overall Goal • More young people in Wisconsin will be successful partners in civic leadership

Purpose of YPCL • Networking across the state • Sharing resources and ideas • Training youth with skills to make them more effective in their communities • Opportunity to redefine your community goals

Beliefs • When youth voice is heard at a local, state or national level, they feel: • “…like we have the power to really make a difference, not only with those around them but with people across the world.” – Mark, Seneca, WI • “…there is nothing to hold them back. All doors are open and you can do anything, with your full force and ambition.” - anonymous

Beliefs • When adults work with and engage young people in decision making, I feel: • “…challenged, but excited and energized. I know that the outcomes of the efforts will be significantly more powerful than if I did it alone.” Sadie Schniztler – Wisconsin Promise Statewide Youth Leadership Council • “…excited, motivated and encouraged. When I see their confidence and maturity blossom through the responsibilities they take on, I am reminded of why I do the work I do.” Stephanie Bass-Faust, Wisconsin Regional Teen Institute

Beliefs Young people and adults are already successful partners in many decision-making groups: • Green Bay has youth representation on the Mayor’s Advisory Council • Jackson County Extension Committee includes county commissioners and youth • Alliance for Wisconsin Youth has 2 youth council members

Goals of the YPCL • Connect community and statewide efforts • Enhance and strengthen existing local youth-adult partnerships • Foster the development of new efforts

Strategies of YPCL • Developing a support network of active youth, adults and organizations • Providing resources, training and technical assistance to local communities

Strategies of YPCL • Blending resources and building statewide collaboration of active partners for youth voice • Building community awareness

Stages of Involvement: the choice is yours • Level One: Time and Resources • Participation of youth and adult(s) from your organization for nine months: • Monthly telephone calls • Quarterly face-to-face meetings • Participation in conference planning, participation and follow-up

Stages of Involvement: the choice is yours • Level Two: Participation • Recruit, support and maintain a team of youth and adult(s) to attend the events offered by YPCL • Assist with event evaluation • Keep us updated on your groups progress

Stages of Involvement: the choice is yours • Level Three: General Support • Support vision of YPCL • Discuss YPCL at meetings/events you attend • Distribute information on the YPCL movement

Current Level One Partners: • Alliance for Wisconsin Youth • Milwaukee Youth Commission • Project Forward • UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development • Waupaca County Youth Development • Wisconsin Promise Statewide Youth Leadership Council • Wisconsin Regional Teen Institute

Questions? For more information contact: Matt Calvert, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, matthew.calvert@uwex.edu 608-262-1912 Melinda Pollen, Coordinator Alliance for Wisconsin Youth pollen.melinda@marshfieldclinic.org 715-221-8407 Sadie Schnitzler, Coordinator Wisconsin Promise Statewide Youth Leadership Council schnits@charter.net 715-384-5172

Talking Points: Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership (YPCL)