Talking Points: Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership (YPCL) n Coming together is a beginning…. n Keeping together is progress… n Working together is a.

Talking Points:Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership

(YPCL)

Coming together is a beginning….

Keeping together is progress…

Working together is a success…

Overall Goal

More young people in Wisconsin will be successful partners in civic leadership

Purpose of YPCL

Networking across the state

Sharing resources and ideas

Training youth with skills to make them more effective in their communities

Opportunity to redefine your community goals

Beliefs

When youth voice is heard at a local, state or national level, they feel:

“…like we have the power to really make a difference, not only with those around them but with people across the world.” – Mark, Seneca, WI

“…there is nothing to hold them back. All doors are open and you can do anything, with your full force and ambition.” - anonymous

Beliefs When adults work with and engage young people in

decision making, I feel:

“…challenged, but excited and energized. I know that the outcomes of the efforts will be significantly more powerful than if I did it alone.” Sadie Schniztler – Wisconsin Promise Statewide Youth Leadership Council

“…excited, motivated and encouraged. When I see their confidence and maturity blossom through the responsibilities they take on, I am reminded of why I do the work I do.” Stephanie Bass-Faust, Wisconsin Regional Teen Institute

BeliefsYoung people and adults

are already successful partners in many decision-making groups:

Green Bay has youth representation on the Mayor’s Advisory Council

Jackson County Extension Committee includes county commissioners and youth

Alliance for Wisconsin Youth has 2 youth council members

Goals of the YPCL

Connect community and statewide efforts

Enhance and strengthen existing local youth-adult partnerships

Foster the development of new efforts

Strategies of YPCL

Developing a support network of active youth, adults and organizations

Providing resources, training and technical assistance to local communities

Strategies of YPCL

Blending resources and building statewide collaboration of active partners for youth voice

Building community awareness

Stages of Involvement: the choice is yours

Level One: Time and Resources– Participation of youth and

adult(s) from your organization for nine months:

• Monthly telephone calls• Quarterly face-to-face

meetings• Participation in

conference planning, participation and follow-up

Stages of Involvement: the choice is yours

Level Two: Participation– Recruit, support and

maintain a team of youth and adult(s) to attend the events offered by YPCL

– Assist with event evaluation

– Keep us updated on your groups progress

Stages of Involvement: the choice is yours

Level Three: General Support– Support vision of YPCL– Discuss YPCL at meetings/events you attend– Distribute information on the YPCL movement

Current Level One Partners:

Alliance for Wisconsin Youth Milwaukee Youth Commission Project Forward UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Waupaca County Youth Development Wisconsin Promise Statewide Youth

Leadership Council Wisconsin Regional Teen Institute

Questions? For more information contact:

Matt Calvert, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, [email protected]

608-262-1912Melinda Pollen, Coordinator Alliance for Wisconsin Youth

[email protected]

Sadie Schnitzler, Coordinator Wisconsin Promise Statewide Youth Leadership Council

[email protected]