ND: Youth Leading Now

Youth Leading NOW!: Securing a Place at the Table

Table 1:
DOs and DON'Ts of Youth/Adult Governance

Do Don't

Seek approval from the adult members of the board before placing a youth on the board. Provide an opportunity for the youth unless the board and staff clearly want youth involvement on the board.

Match the board and the youth. Honor the commitments, interest, availability of youth to serve. Appoint a young person to meet a quota-select youth with the same discrimination as adult board members.

Select mentors with care. Do they have the commitment and time to help their mentee? Don't appoint a mentor unless they have the time, commitment, and a desire to assist young people. (Another option is a comentorship arrangement with another board member.)

Provide time for the mentor/mentee to get to know one another prior to board attendance. Provide an orientation to the organization and the board prior to the first meeting. Expect the youth to understand board protocol completely or to be comfortable with a room full of new adults, already experienced in their role.

Provide training for the youth and the adults. Be prepared to treat the youth as equal partners with adults. Assume everyone will know how to work together.

Plan with the youth how they will get to meetings. Expect that the mentee has transportation available to attend the board meeting, or that he/she can attend a noon meeting.

Include the mentee in all mailings and information sent to the adult board members. Treat the mentee as an observer on the board.

Call the mentee both before and after the meeting to answer questions or concerns. Forget that you serve as a role model for youth. Plan that role carefully and make a difference!

Do	Don't
Seek approval from the adult members of the board before placing a youth on the board.	Provide an opportunity for the youth unless the board and staff clearly want youth involvement on the board.
Match the board and the youth. Honor the commitments, interest, availability of youth to serve.	Appoint a young person to meet a quota-select youth with the same discrimination as adult board members.
Select mentors with care. Do they have the commitment and time to help their mentee?	Don't appoint a mentor unless they have the time, commitment, and a desire to assist young people. (Another option is a comentorship arrangement with another board member.)
Provide time for the mentor/mentee to get to know one another prior to board attendance. Provide an orientation to the organization and the board prior to the first meeting.	Expect the youth to understand board protocol completely or to be comfortable with a room full of new adults, already experienced in their role.
Provide training for the youth and the adults. Be prepared to treat the youth as equal partners with adults.	Assume everyone will know how to work together.
Plan with the youth how they will get to meetings.	Expect that the mentee has transportation available to attend the board meeting, or that he/she can attend a noon meeting.
Include the mentee in all mailings and information sent to the adult board members.	Treat the mentee as an observer on the board.
Call the mentee both before and after the meeting to answer questions or concerns.	Forget that you serve as a role model for youth. Plan that role carefully and make a difference!