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The Development and Nurturing of Youth Councils

M6. The Development and Nurturing of Youth Councils. Jacquie Hermans, Community Resource Coordinator Town of Markham. Key Objectives. To provide participants with concrete strategies to attract youth to their councils To provide strategies for maintaining youth membership

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The Development and Nurturing of Youth Councils

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  1. M6 The Development and Nurturing of Youth Councils Jacquie Hermans, Community Resource Coordinator Town of Markham

  2. Key Objectives • To provide participants with concrete strategies to attract youth to their councils • To provide strategies for maintaining youth membership • To illustrate ways of creating a positive image for your youth council • To provide an opportunity for group discussion in order to solve some issues you may currently have.

  3. Group WorkWhat are the issues/concerns you have related to your youth council or starting one?

  4. Ambassadors Ambassadors Ambassadors Ambassadors Markham’s Youth Council Structure Unionville Youth Council Markham Village Youth Council Thornhill Youth Council MYTF Milliken Youth Council

  5. How the MYTF Started out… • Mayor’s Youth Forum • Letter to school boards/principals requesting teachers to choose a representative • Moved to an application process • Moved to an application/interview process

  6. Word of mouth Newsletter Hotline Website Letters to principals Letters to past members Flyers Letters to Ambassadors Advertise to Youth Councils Town page of Economist and Sun Recreation Guide Marquee How we currently advertise…

  7. Initial group of teens develop mandate Ability to choose own initiatives Mayor/Councillors pop into meetings Mayor/Councillors attend social events Team building activities beginning of year and throughout Beginning of each meeting a personal sharing session Divide roles/ responsibilities Creating a fun environment while fulfilling the political agenda

  8. Assign rotating roles Election for co-chairs Create sub-committees including a social committee Meetings with co-chairs Provide participation/ outstanding achievement awards Assign peer mentors to new members Increase responsibility level to returning members Creating a fun environment…

  9. Ensure facilitator is young at heart and can relate to teens Ensure facilitator can work well with Mayor/Councillors Ensure elected officials understand that teens should have the final say Instill the importance of commitment to all members (3 strikes policy) Have teens evaluate council half way/end of year Mid/end of year socials Creating a fun environment…

  10. Members should have an opportunity to attend fun events to advertise the council Council socials Get FREE Stuff Mayor to attend social/meetings Have a great website created by teens Advertisements of initiatives created by teens Provide opportunities for members to go to conferences Creating a positive image for your council

  11. Creating a positive image for your council • We also advertise the MYTF to the Area Youth Councils and Ambassadors as a future opportunity that their current experience is gearing them towards (giving it a ‘prestige’ status)

  12. Other important factors… • Elected officials understanding and respecting teens • Having a solid budget • Being consistent with meetings (dates pre-set) • Keeping their attention till the end of the year (meetings must be fun and bring food!!!) • Understanding their other commitments yet ensuring they’re not slacking on their commitment to your council.

  13. Group DiscussionFinding solutions to the issues/concerns uncovered during the group work.I need a ‘Vanna’ or ‘Vinnie’ to record the solutions on flipchart.

  14. Individual homework… • Write down 2 NEW things you learned today that you will try to implement • Find a partner and take turns asking each other this list of questions. • Have your partner record your answers and hand them to you at the end.

  15. What are you going to do? When are you going to do it? Will is solve your youth council problems? What else might you have to try? What obstacles might you face? How will you overcome them? What support do you need? How will you get the support you require? Anything else you want to run by me? Questions to ask each other:

  16. It’s time for another game!!!

  17. Jacquie Hermans Town of Markham (905) 477-7000 ext. 3930 jhermans@city.markham.on.ca

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