Engaging Young People in Decision- Making March, 2009 Umsobumvu Youth Fund YouthBuild Programme Establishing an Effective Policy Committee
Nov 04, 2014
Engaging Young People in Decision-Making
March, 2009Umsobumvu Youth Fund YouthBuild Programme
Establishing an Effective Policy
Committee
A Policy Committee is. . .
A structured policy input and decision making structure made up of elected or selected participant and staff representatives.
Why Have A Policy Committee?
Examples of Policy Committee Examples of Policy Committee ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities
Consult on programme
design
Recommend policy changes
Select community service projects
Participate in hiring of staff
Review annual budget
Plan events
Mediate conflicts
Level of Buy-in
Time
Decide and Announce
Provide training,
knowledge on how and why decisions are
made
Represents the programme
Represents Young People
Levels of Decision-Making with Policy Committee
Adapted from Interaction Associates’ Facilitative Leadership Manual
Represents Policy Committee
Delegate to PC with
constraints
Collective decision-
making with PC(consensu
s, voting)
Gather input from
Policy Committee and decide
Option
Gather input from all
participants
Where should each example go for Ivory Park YouthBuild Policy Committee?
Selecting and planning a community service project
Policy on drug use after programme hours
Policy for scheduling one-on-one counseling sessions
Dealing with a serious infraction of the rules by another policy committee member
Complaints about a staff member being consistently disrespectful
Programme evaluation
Key Practices for Establishing an Key Practices for Establishing an Effective Youth CouncilEffective Youth Council
Ensure Structural Ensure Structural RespectRespect
Key Practices for Establishing an Key Practices for Establishing an Effective Policy CommitteeEffective Policy Committee
EnsureEnsureOperational Operational
RespectRespect
EnsureEnsureRelationship Relationship DevelopmentDevelopment
Ensure Structural Ensure Structural RespectRespect
1. Be clear about purpose, goals, roles, structure, expectations, tasks and time commitment of Youth Council. Ensure scope of work is meaningful and manageable.
2) Identify the opportunities and supports members will need to ensure success in their roles. Determine the staffing, financial, and time resources needed.
3) Ensure highest level of organizational staffing as possible.
PLANNINGTIME
1.Have well thought out process to select best possible members
2) Orient members well and then provide on-going training.
EnsureEnsureOperational Operational
RespectRespect
Effective Policy Committee Development
ContentContentTrainingTraining
TeamTeamBuildingBuilding
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T I M ET I M E
1-2 months 2-4 months
4 months on
3) Teach and use good meeting management and structured group process.
EnsureEnsureOperational Operational
RespectRespect
4) Have Fun and Celebrate.
2) Orient members well and then provide on-going training.
1) Recruit Well
PLANNINGTIME
1. Be intentional about building relationships.
EnsureEnsureRelationship Relationship DevelopmentDevelopment
Effective Youth Council Development
ContentContentTrainingTraining
TeamTeamBuildingBuilding
ContentContent
TrainingTraining
TeamTeamBuildingBuildingContentContent
TrainingTraining
TeamTeamBuildinBuildin
gg
T I M ET I M E
1-2 months 2-4 months
4 months on
1. Be intentional about building relationships.
2) Understand the role of the staff partner
EnsureEnsureRelationship Relationship DevelopmentDevelopment
PLANNINGTIME
Good Luck