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Youth Voice Youth Action
Young People of Minnesota!
Do you want to be a voice for young people in Minnesota? Do you have ideas to make your community and the entire state a better place for young people?

We are looking for caring and committed young people who want to be leaders in the statewide Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council. As a part of MNYAC, you will work with other young people, adults, and committed organizations to make Minnesota a better place for all youth!
About Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council
Member Qualifications
- Young people ages 14-18
- Living in the state of Minnesota
- Youth who have unique ideas and experiences
- Leadership skills and a commitment to your peers and community
- Can commit to a full year as a MNYAC Member

What would I do as a member of MNYAC?
- Play a crucial role in ensuring that young people’s voices and ideas are heard in MN.
- Provide input to adult leaders on important issues including after-school programs, mentoring, health care, and school success.
- Work together to create and implement local and statewide projects to address the issues that YOU think are most important to youth.
- Promote youth leadership and youth service to other young people in MN.
- Advise and guide the work of two statewide youth development organizations.

Commitment
- The MNYAC will gather for a full meeting three times a year.
- MNYAC members will communicate with each other and with council staff regularly throughout the year via e-mail. (Home internet access is not necessary.)
- Together with their adult sponsor, each youth council member will have the opportunity to participate in one or more local projects to address the needs of youth in their community, as well as a statewide project with other members of the council.
- Each youth council member may additionally participate in committee meetings and/or events with one or both sponsoring organizations.

Why join MNYAC?
The Minnesota Alliance With Youth, Youth Community Connections, and all of their partners across the state want your voice at the table when issues important to youth are being discussed! We want to ensure that we are working WITH youth and not just FOR youth. We know we will benefit from adding your voice to ours! We also know that you will benefit by having your voice heard – you will be able to create and/or participate in projects and programs addressing issues important to you – all while making new friends and having fun, building new skills and learning lots, and making a difference in Minnesota!

Benefits
- Connect with young people from all over Minnesota.
- Build leadership skills while making a difference in your community and across the state.
- Make new friends and have FUN!
- Add a great activity to your list of accomplishments for college applications and resumes.
- Learn and experience new things while helping young people in the state.

Adult Sponsor
Every youth council member is asked to have an adult sponsor to support them in their work this year. This person should be a community member with whom the youth has worked closely (a mentor, teacher, coach, program leader, or other supportive adult) and the adult must be willing to participate in MNYAC meetings with their youth. Please be sure to have your adult advisor read and sign the sponsor contract. If you are unable to find an adult sponsor at this time, we encourage you to still apply for MNYAC. We can work with members to help you get matched with an adult mentor.

Questions? Contact: 

Mike Messinger
Youth Community Connections
612-624-6600
info@youthcommunityconnections.org

Ryanne Underhill
Minnesota Alliance With Youth
218-626-4962
ryanne.mnyac@gmail.com



We are Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council
Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council 06 07
Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council 06 07
Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council 07 08
Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council 07 08


What's New
 
Young People! Be a voice for Minnesota's youth. Help make your community - and the entire state - a better place to live.

Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council accepts applications to join MNYAC through out the year. Fill out and submit the application found in the blue Related Resources box below.

Not sure if MNYAC is right for you? Watch MNYAC in action on YouTube!

Related Resources
 
MNYAC Brochure.pdf
MNYAC Brochure
MNYAC Application Packet.pdf
MNYAC Application Packet (pdf)
MNYAC Application Packet.doc
MNYAC Application Packet (doc)
Getting Started
 
MNYAC Application Materials in Other Languages
All of the MNYAC materials available for download above are in English. If you would like the application materials in Spanish, Hmong, or Somali, please e-mail us.

Related Resources
 
Youth Community Connections
Youth Community Connections is an advocacy alliance of public and private organizations that offer and support youth development.

Founded in 2001, our mission is to ensure that all Minnesota communities have options for children and youth to learn, develop, and contribute during non-school hours.

Youth Community Connections is a joint partner with the Minnesota Alliance With Youth to provide Minnesota's Youth Advisory Council.

America's Promise: America's Promise is a collaborative network that builds upon the collective power of communities and partners to help fulfill the Five Promises for every young person in America.
 
© 2008 Minnesota - The Alliance for Youth. 1313 5th Street SE, Suite 321, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 866-573-6690