September Shadow Board Newsletter

Hi Everyone ??, welcome to the September edition of the BECBC Shadow Board newsletter??.

There's a lot to update you all on from the past few months - we've been busy! And there are a few changes coming so keep an eye out for them, you should be hearing from us more often going forwards - coming in hot (but not as hot as last year's fire walk at the Shadow Board takeover)!

As always, if you're new here and are wondering what we do, the Shadow Board was established to help include young people in the room at BECBC meetings and to help diversify thinking, both in the current working populations and through empowering the next generation.

First up, we've had a few changes after a recent round of recruitment. Welcome to Bridget Dempsey (from Newsquest)??, Katherine Dumbell (from Sellafield Ltd)??, and Callum Hyslop (from Cumbria Youth Alliance)??. These three have recently joined the Shadow Board after successful applications so you'll see their faces cropping up soon in as we share more information!

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Next up, we're taking over the BECBC Energy Networx this month on the 11th of September. We've got a line-up of younger speakers and are trying to put a bit of a different slant on your standard member meeting. It's not too late to register to come join us, we're hoping to get as many young people in the room as possible!! Here's the link if anyone is interested. https://becbc.glueup.com/event/energy-networx-11th-september-2024-105149/

For a bit of a taste of the line up:

Former Shadow Board member Charlotte Kelly is making a comeback while she's freelancing with Co-Lab, along with Clyne Albertelli, to present to us on the innovation going on behind the scenes. Annette Mcclement (Chief Inspector at Cumbria Police) is providing us an update on the Inclusive Cumbria initiative, which BECBC and the Shadow Board are supporting. Belle Cubby from Outward Bounds will be explaining the benefits of outdoor activities on development.

We've got a series of egg timers ???, with more details on the website! Then we'll be rounding off with a panel session on reverse mentoring, so bring along any question's you've got to grill our panel.

Back to normal scheduling, our top tips for this month are from our Deputy Chair James Harrison. Now we all appreciate it can be difficult to have conversations when you're early on in your career so James has pulled together some tips which have helped him in his career.

1. Prepare Thoroughly: Before the meeting, take time to outline the key points you want to discuss. Consider potential questions your boss might ask and prepare your responses. This preparation will help you stay focused and articulate your thoughts clearly, reducing the chances of the conversation becoming uncomfortable.

2. Choose the Right Time and Place: Timing and location can greatly affect the tone of a conversation. Request a meeting at a time when your boss is not too busy or stressed. Find a private and neutral setting where both of you can talk without interruptions, ensuring that sensitive topics can be addressed calmly.

3.?Be Honest and Direct: Approach the conversation with honesty and clarity. Avoid beating around the bush or using vague language. Clearly state the purpose of the discussion and address the issue directly, using "I" statements to express your perspective without sounding accusatory or confrontational.

4. Stay Calm and Professional: Maintain a composed demeanour, even if the conversation becomes tense. Listen actively to your boss’s responses and acknowledge their perspective. Avoid interrupting and take deep breaths if you feel anxious. Keeping your emotions in check will help foster a more productive dialogue.

5.?Focus on Solutions: While discussing the issue at hand, steer the conversation toward finding solutions. Be proactive in suggesting ways to resolve the matter and be open to your boss's suggestions. Demonstrating a willingness to collaborate can help turn an awkward conversation into an opportunity for positive change.?

Lastly, if you've been following our LinkedIn you'll have seen we've been doing a series of member spotlights highlighting what some of our members are doing to support young people in getting opportunities. If you work for a member organisation and have some insider info on the opportunities available, please reach out to us and we can help signpost young people towards them!

You’ll be hearing more from us soon, but send any enquiries over to [email protected]. ?