This section of the Youth Voices toolkit explores different models for engaging youth in governance and the business of afterschool – and trusts all users will pay careful attention to and prioritize the importance of building community and trust, and power-sharing while acknowledging and addressing agism.
Youth voice and leadership is not just for the program day; it includes the business decisions, policies and the management of an afterschool program. Including youth voice in those aspects helps ensure youth want to engage in the programming because they can see their experiences and lives reflected in its offerings and resources. Involving young people in the Board or governance in a meaningful way not only gives youth the opportunity to truly be connected to additional real-life learning opportunities, embedding youth voice in your business and policy decisions effectively guide the work of the program. Note: just putting youth on a Board or naming a youth council or advisory board without prioritizing a culture of listening and power-sharing can make any youth council perfunctory at best and potentially negligent or harmful.
Adults’ Roles in Supporting Youth Voice: How do you support teens effectively in meaningful roles without overstepping? Click here to hear from youth development folks around Georgia who do just that. (If you prefer to read this content, click here.)
Youth on Boards: From youth advisory councils and boards, to youth on boards of directors, this video explores how youth voice has a place and is supported in various leadership structures. (If you prefer to read this content, click here.)
Additional resources for youth in leadership or Board roles:
- VOX youth board job description & recruitment process (& bylaws that meet GA law for trustee 18+ and also provide for meaningful youth engagement)
- GUIDE Youth Advisory Board job description
- GCAPP Youth Advisory Council job description & application