Several youth leaders and camp staff members in a Zoom grid sharing a laugh. One of the youth leaders has a rainbow over their face to protect anonymity. — Action Camp 2020 Youth Leadership team

August 2020

Please read BEFORE completing your Youth Committee Application!

At PHIMC, we want the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance Youth Committee to be as awesome of a growth and learning experience as possible for all participants. One of the ways we can ensure this is by letting you know ahead of time what the expectations are, how much of a time commitment is needed, and the different ways you can get involved! Below is some information about this youth leadership program that can help you make this decision.

Youth Committee is work! We have a lot of fun on YC, yes yes yes! And we also need folks to commit to attending full group meetings twice a month (Friday evenings 5:30-7:30), working with their project teams in between those meetings in order to complete the action steps they’ve committed to (this varies between 5-15 additional hours per month), and communicate in a timely manner (we use GroupMe and email as our primary communication tools). Unfortunately we are not yet at a place where we can afford to pay YC members for this work, but we are happy to have it count towards Service Learning hours.

Youth Committee work takes time! And thus, time management! Please be willing to start using your tools such as calendars and reminders to save important dates such as meetings, retreats, and deadlines. Also be realistic about how much time you have to commit to a project. If there are certain times of year where you are less available (sports seasons, annual musical, marching season, etc.), let folks know so we can manage expectations too! There are lots of ways to support the Youth Committee’s work - we want to make sure you find the best way for you! The first date to hold to begin this practice is Friday, September 16 (5:30-7:30p) and Saturday, September 17 (12:30-3:30p) for YC Orientation.

Youth Committee may require some travel! We are a statewide organization that is Chicago-based. Right now, all YC work happens virtually using Zoom video conferencing and this is the norm for this program. We hold hope, however, that someday we can return to sharing space for some specific events (like occasional overnight retreats, and our annual GSA Leadership Summit) where our goal is to have as many folks attend in person as possible. Transportation assistance is always available to help with these costs. Additionally, other leadership opportunities may arise as a result of your involvement in YC, such as conferences and National Convenings; these travel opportunities are always invitation-based and not required.

Youth Committee is revolutionary! Because the work of the Alliance is rooted in anti-oppression frameworks, we work really hard to create a space within YC that doesn’t replicate harmful systems of oppression that many folks might experience on a daily basis. We ask that applicants come with an open mind and a willingness to learn and unlearn with care and compassion in community with others. Additionally, we ask all members to commit to holding space that actively lifts up and celebrates all identities and the bodies in which they reside and engaging in the difficult conversations that are required to grow in this work.

If Youth Committee seems like a good fit for you, we’d love to have you on our team! Fill out and submit the following application by Sunday, August 22! If not, don't worry! We'd love to see you at any of our other annual events like our GSA Leadership Summit or Action Camp 2023. Thanks for checking us out!

Have questions? Reach out directly to Nat Duran, Youth Engagement Manager.

Youth Committee 2022-23 Application

Name you go by

First Name

Last Name

Pronouns

(they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, etc)

Birthdate

YYYY

Current age

Address

This is to help us ensure that our YC membership is representative of the entire state!

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone

The best number to reach you by. This is how we will follow up with you if we need to!

(###)

###

####

Can we text this number?

Yes

Your Email Address (one you check!)

Our first line of communication regarding Youth Committee interviews occurs via email, so please get in the habit of checking it regularly. If we text, it will be to inform you an email was sent.

Comments

Please provide additional information about your contact info listed above. Is the phone number your personal number or your parents' number? If we call or send an email, is there another name or pronouns that we need to use?

School Name

(if you go to school)

Grade you will be in for 2020-2021 school year:

(if you go to school)

How did you hear about Youth Committee?

Demographics

Youth Committee is a space that strives to be inclusive of all identities. Some of this information is required by our funders; please use whatever language feels best to you and don't answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable.

Race/ethnicity

(for example: Black, Latinx, Korean, white, etc.)

Sexual Identity/Orientation

Gender Identity

Questions

This is your chance to explain to us why you want to join our leadership team! Please respond to the questions below in 7-10 sentences per question. We won't be looking at your grammar or spelling, so don't worry about everything being "perfect". Be true to yourself in your responses and let your passion shine through!

Why are you interested in joining Youth Committee?

What skills, talents, passions, etc. are you bringing to the Youth Committee team?

What skills are you hoping to grow throughout your time in Youth Committee?

What do the phrases "Racial Justice" and Gender Justice" mean to you? Please give one example of how you live out these values.

As a member of GSA Network's National Association, the Alliance commits to uplifting platforms rooted in Racial and Gender Justice as led by our Youth Committee members.

What else should we know about you?

Logistics

Help us make sure our YC spaces meet your needs as best as possible!

Please list any other groups or activites you're involved in and when they meet.

Ex. "I'm in my school's musical this fall, which has after school rehearsals 3-6 on Tuesday and Thursday and then we have tech the week before we open. I also participate in another youth leadership group one Saturday a month."

How do you manage your time and make sure you follow through on commitments you make?

Please list any dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.). If you have none, please write “None.”

Do you have any accessibility needs?

Ex. "I can't navigate stairs and need elevator access." or "I have asthma that can be triggered by seasonal factors."

Thank you so much for your application!

The deadline for application submissions is 8pm on Sunday, August 21. On or before Wednesday, August 24th you will receive an email inviting you to schedule an interview with Alliance youth programming staff and a current Youth Committee member (if available).