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
- Volunteer at your local food bank, animal shelters, and other non-profits where you and your team can practice Gracious Professionalism®
- Help start FIRST® LEGO® League teams in your area by partnering with your school or library as hosts for team member recruitment events
- 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
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