Newsmakers: New Initiative Hopes to Attract Youth to Serve on More Boards and Commissions
There’s a concerted effort to interest younger people in serving on boards and commissions. Brooklyn Park recently added seats on boards and commissions to attract youth.
The Youth Boards Initiative has been in the works for awhile.
Julie Richards with Brooklyns Alliance for Youth says the goal is to attract more people ages 18-24 to serve on boards and commissions.
“When boards and commissions and any decision-making table accurately reflects those people that they are making decisions for, the decisions tend to be more inclusive and more sustainable,” said Richards. “We know that many decision-making tables are filled with adults who want to genuinely act in the best interest of young people, however young people know what they need and they know what their communities need. With a little bit of training, the same as adults, are able to really make clear-headed thoughtful decisions and we want to make sure there’s space for that on different tables, commissions and boards, anywhere that decisions are being made.”
Julie Richards, Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth.
Young people will begin training that’s called YFL, or Youth as Facilitative Leaders.
“We feel like the focused conversation and consensus building workshops really lend themselves to inclusivity. So our young people will begin with that,” said Richards.
The participants will continue to meet monthly to learn skills like networking, how to write about this experience for a portfolio as well as how to use Robert’s Rules and parliamentary procedure. The hope is that the knowledge will not only help young adults while serving, but will also help sharpen professional development skills.
“We believe that young people should also partake in the decision making and contribute to the decision making that impacts their lives,” said Richards.
If young people who are interested, they can apply on the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance webpage.
