Youth are changing the world —?give them the platform and the power to do it.
Today is International Youth Day, a day where we not only recognize the power and importance of our youth across the globe, but a day where we remember that this power, the power of our young people, deserves a platform.
This year's theme for International Youth Day is “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a world for all ages." So, really, it's up to us — regardless of what generation we're from — to step up and own the power of being an ally, and to create space for youth to take the lead and show us how it's done.
At Positive Tracks it's no secret that we believe young people can change the world, but what you may not know is that there is a thoughtful methodology, backed by a fierce commitment to this, that ensures that we are bringing youth into what we do, how we do it, where we do it, and why we do it.
10 Ways We Bring Youth to the Table
1. Cultural & Structural Commitment
Dust off that strategic plan and develop ideas that are specific to youth involvement and put pen to paper. Whether it's a specific goal, an objective, a tactic, your organizational values, vision, or your guiding star — take a stand, and turn that intention into commitment.
Our guiding star is a daily touchstone for us.
2. Boards, Committees, and Advisors
This picture really speaks for itself, but our Board of Directors not only features C-Suite innovators, community leaders, philanthropists, and humanitarians — it features young people who are leading the way of this organization through their work in local community organizing, environmental justice, business management and beyond. It was important to us to see youth faces, and hear youth voices in every aspect of our organization. And what better way to prove this than to have a Board of Directors comprised of 50% young people.
3. Fellowships
Another way to engage youth is through fellowship programs. Whether high school or collegiate level fellowships, there are many exemplary institutions that have built in youth-focused, and youth-led programs that are looking for organizations to collaborate with. We have an ongoing relationship with The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and their Nonprofit Board Fellows — this relationship has yielded invaluable support by having MBA students sitting on our Board of Directors and doing everything from connecting us to their communities, to event ideation, digital marketing, and strategic support in countless projects. Another quick shout out to the pivotal relationship with the Paganucci Fellows Program, who immersed themselves in our organization and played a critical role in the creation and evaluation of our Challenges program.
4. Projects
Spoiler Alert: We have been building our new, user-friendly, web app version of our program! This large-scale project was driven by youth voicing their needs and ideas with us — they shared the desire for a low barrier web app that would become the home of their Challenge from beginning to end, and a place to interact with peers and donors about social activism and movement building.
What started with youth feedback:
Yup. Youth driven from beginning to end, and once the app is done we've built in milestones with our youth partners to address their continuous feedback within the app.
(Y'all. Seriously. You are in for the treat of all treats with this one! Mega s/o to Liz Gray for leading this huge effort that is going to level up everything we do at PT!)
What we do know is that we don't know what we don't know, and therein lies the joy of collaborating with youth by sprinkling in opportunities for them to let us in on their valuable perspectives — and trust me they don't just teach us a thing or two, they teach us a thing or three hundred.
In youth we trust, y'all.
(Yes, I'm a Texan.)
5. Paid Internships and Volunteer Opportunities
No reason to reinvent the wheel here! Paid internships and volunteer opportunities are a go-to way to engage young people. Make sure every budget and strategic planning season that comes around,? you keep this top of mind.
Pro-Tip: Set aside a budget for this. Don't ask for unpaid volunteers when the position requires a higher level of commitment, skill, and energy. Whether events, development, programs, marketing, communication, administration — the avenues to provide are endless.? At Positive Tracks we have been so fortunate to have an extended family of young people who have made our organization what it is today.
6. Focus Groups, Surveys, and Polls
领英推荐
Focus groups, surveys, and polls allow you to bring insights from a variety of young people that can reduce budget, proximity, and time barriers for both the young person and the organization.? From inviting deep insights through an experiential Zoom session, to post-program surveys, to fun pick-a-t-shirt-color social media polls, involving youth to be a part of your organization can be as easy as a click or two. Don't be afraid to make it fun, and simple is not the enemy. Engagement opportunities should be as diverse as the communities we serve.
7. Youth Panels
Youth panels are a great way to tell your story and show your impact through first hand accounts of young people. Donors and supporters get to connect at a deeper level with the ones on the ground leading change, and energizing their communities.? We bring in youth panels to our events, programs, and workshops — but don't stop the idea-train there! If there's a way, a will, and a few seats make it happen! *Patrick Dempseys not always included.
8. Share their Stories, Amplify their Voices
From Social Media Youth Takeovers, to guest content creators, to re-sharing and tagging, youth are stepping up and showing up. See them, hear them, and make space to amplify their voices. We've even had Youth Captains write emails, and letters that go to thousands of supporters — and honestly, what's better than that? (Answer: Nothing.)
9. Workshops
This week we had an educational workshop that illuminated ways that we can be better partners to our youth, and give them a variety of spaces and places to let them lead.
This ladder graphic above was one of our favorites. There are so many degrees of participation that are on the ladder, and temperature checking ourselves as organizations to ensure we are not on the lower rungs is part of the journey. The more you know, the more you grow.
Speaking of growth...
10. Listen, Learn and Research
We know not all of these ways are going to make sense for your role or your organization. But that doesn't mean that the youth conversation doesn't need you in it. Whether young people are your future clients and customers, or they're your present-day target market — youth are there and will be there. They are listening, and they are watching.
So, read up on Ageism, expand your knowledge, stay curious, and remain tuned into the change-makers leading the charge.
There is no wrong path forward.
The only thing you need to do is pave it, and point to it and say, "Hey, this is yours."
This list is a snapshot of how we bring youth to the table at Positive Tracks, but we know that this list wants, and needs to keep growing. Each year, and each challenge we face, presents new obstacles, and allows us new opportunities to give youth the agency and power to change the world, and change the game.
Comment below and share the ways you engage young people!
Written By: Rose Hinojosa
A proud "border-townian" and Houstonian, whose Mexican-American culture is not only a part of her identity, but also something she regularly celebrates. Rose approaches her work and hobbies with the heart of an archeologist — digging deep below the surface, and unearthing meaning, connection, and discoveries that can be shared across individuals, cultures, and language.
In her work at Positive Tracks, Rose supports communications strategies that uplift programs and development, and that connect to and shine a light on youth ages 12-25 who are advancing social causes through physical activity.
Random Fact:?Rose loves CrossFit and the Enneagram. Mention either to her and never experience silence again.