Re: [Organizers] Youth on your organizing boards/committees?

[Heitzso via Organizers]

Our contra dance in Gainesville, Georgia, has a few elementary/middle/high/college aged dancers (some in every demographic category). My goal is "a third under 30".  Usually we have, by door count, about a fourth who come as students or children in families. We have a few teens and young adults who assist and dance at every dance (token pay for their time helping setup sound, door, food, etc.). Our board invited two regular dancers/helpers of age (21 & 23?) to be on our board and they have been on the board now for over a year. Our board is not heavily active in that formal board meetings typically only occur once a year. My wife, Jennifer Horrocks, and I book and organize our contra dance. But the teens and young adults, including our young adult board members, who help out with setup and tear down and who dance are very(!) important in running the dance. This year we invited a husband and wife pair to be on our board who home school their children. (Intent being to have one "vote" for the two of them which also lets them choose which attends board meetings, etc.) I should be meeting with them in the next few days. Belaboring this because we want their input on     how to make the space work for children while staying safe         (upper running track, toddler play area, skating (skates available at venue) before/during/after dance)     how to reach out to home schooled students Heitzso http://atgaga.com Another quick question about youth. Have any of you had success including youth in your boards/committees?  If so, how did you do it? We've had some success here in Ottawa but I'd love to learn more. We have two people in their 20s on our Board and one is also on our outreach/publicity team. Plus a teenager on our outreach team.  All of those were direct asks to those individuals, inviting them to get involved. We created a 'youth' position on our Board many years ago and that's what got the ball rolling. I do find that a few of our youth volunteers aren't super reliable on tasks (even well defined ones) but that can happen with older volunteers too and I try to remember what I was like as a teenager. :) Anyway - would love your thoughts! Emily

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