How To Build a Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

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 

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 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 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 

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  

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 in your area or consider reaching out to recent graduates you know 

Examples of current FIRST regional student organizations

• FIRST South Carolina Youth Advisory Council  
• FIRST Indiana Robotics Student Board of Directors  
• FIRST Canada Youth Council