--- title: How To Build a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) description: The FIRST ED&I and Education teams offer tips on how to initiate a sustainable Youth Advisory Council. image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Capture-Jan-24-2024-07-07-56-5359-PM.jpg --- Student leadership organizations, such as Youth Advisory Councils, help regions prepare students to become leaders beyond their *FIRST*® team and empower youth to become active citizens within the *FIRST* community, enabling them to have a voice in the initiatives and decisions that impact them. Here are some quick tips to assist *FIRST* Program Delivery Organizations in initiating a sustainable Youth Advisory Council.    **Getting Started**  - Connect with the local Program Delivery Organization to gain access to resources available to students. - Formalize the Council by creating official positions such as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Members; including an adult advisor or mentor   - Create bylaws, mission, and values aligning with *FIRST* Core Values   ![Capture-Jan-24-2024-06-40-49-2326-PM](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Capture-Jan-24-2024-06-40-49-2326-PM.jpg?width=700&height=176&name=Capture-Jan-24-2024-06-40-49-2326-PM.jpg)   **Establish Sub-Committees by Project Type **  **Growth**: Work to grow teams across all programs in your region   - Includes creating marketing materials and having public/community relations    **Sustainability**: You have grown teams and created amazing opportunities/events. Now, you plan how to carry this work forward when you: - Establish institutional knowledge amongst Council members and ensure processes are passed down as students graduate - Ask for help with grant writing, research what resources are available to you within your extended communities to set you up for success    **Community Outreach: **Expanding your impact - Help start *FIRST*® LEGO® League teams in your area by partnering with your school or library as hosts for team member recruitment events - Volunteer at your local food bank, animal shelters, and other non-profits where you and your team can practice Gracious Professionalism®  - Explore fundraising opportunities with small business owners in your community - Work with your local [Program Delivery Partner](https://www.firstinspires.org/find-local-support) on other community outreach opportunities in your area **Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I):** Creating and maintaining a sense of belonging for everyone   - Take advantage of free training on combating bias, using inclusive language, and challenge stereotypes  - Watch the [FIRST ED&I Youth Training](https://info.firstinspires.org/youth-edi-training?utm_source=first-inspires&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=edi-training-019&utm_content=edi-rl&hsCtaTracking=9fb03e7f-27bc-4665-8a65-d8fddd510b27%7C0d719e14-7cf1-4e76-bc47-df67036332fd) to gain more knowledge  - Make pronoun buttons/tags   - Meet in spaces that accommodate various disabilities and/or other abilities  - Display ED&I values in your meetings spaces  - Host affinity type events and bring cultural awareness/celebration   ![A53I0322_edited](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/A53I0322_edited.jpg?width=500&height=333&name=A53I0322_edited.jpg)   **Get Organized**  - Create outlines in advance of anticipated events and meetings highlighting, goals and wants  - Work together to prioritize THEN break up into subcommittees to really dive deep   - Be considerate and honest of time commitment  - Use any free online tool that would help your team understand everyone’s availability for meetings and be sure to have an agenda in advance   - Creating an agenda will allow for input ahead of dedicated time and will allow for your meeting to be as productive as possible    ![social post](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/social%20post.jpg?width=500&height=330&name=social%20post.jpg)   **Start Recruiting**  - Help your region’s Program Delivery Partner and *FIRST* Sr. Mentors recruit new volunteers, coaches and mentors   - Having reliable sources of volunteers ensures a much smoother season and can have a positive impact on future events as these volunteers stay on to give back to our community  - Seek out [*FIRST* Alumni](https://www.firstinspires.org/alumni/alumni-groups) in your area or consider reaching out to recent graduates you know   ![ergw](https://community.firstinspires.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ergw.jpg?width=500&height=367&name=ergw.jpg)   Examples of current *FIRST *regional student organizations - [FIRST South Carolina Youth Advisory Council](https://www.firstsouthcarolina.org/yac)   - [FIRST Indiana Robotics Student Board of Directors](https://www.firstindianarobotics.org/student-board/)   - [FIRST Canada Youth Council](https://firstroboticscanada.org/about-us/youthcouncil/)   ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/how-to-build-a-youth-advisory-council-yac) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/how-to-build-a-youth-advisory-council-yac) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/how-to-build-a-youth-advisory-council-yac) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [Inspired Youth, Inspire You](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/inspired-youth-inspire-you) Inspired Youth, Inspire You: The FIRST Student Point Of View September 13, 2022 ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [Inspired Youth, Inspire You](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/inspired-youth-inspire-you) Inspired Youth, Inspire You: How FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2080 is helping a 5-year old with spinal muscular atrophy gain greater independence December 15, 2023 ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [Inspired Youth, Inspire You](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/inspired-youth-inspire-you), [#PeopleofSTEAM](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/peopleofsteam) Inspired Youth, Inspire You: Meet Gaurav and Sabir April 28, 2023 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)