1999 Youth Action Guide

Wake Up! Speak Out!

It's Time for Change
You Can Create

$1,000

For You and Your Community
No one is too young to make a difference...

(For Middle Schools, High Schools and Youth 12-18)

1999 Youth Action Guide

History

In 1997, the Foundation of America sent out our first Youth Action Guide to 36,000 middle schools and high schools, as well as thousands of youth-serving organizations across America. The Guide was created to offer $1,000 awards and recognition to those youth willing to take action on their ideas, hopes and dreams for improving themselves, their communities and our nation. Over 200 youth-initiated projects were generated.

Purpose

The purpose of this year's Youth Action Guide is to find and create support for teams of youth who will work together, combine their ideas and solutions and create a project that improves their community.

Youth In Action Awards

$1,000 Awards are given for youth-initiated projects that fulfill community needs and create positive impact. Last year over $20,000 was given out through the National Youth Advisory Council. Sun Microsystems, Bank of America, Sega and UNESCO supplied funds for Youth In Action Awards. This year, we plan on giving away a minimum of $50,000. Remember, only youth-initiated projects are eligible for awards.

Question: How do you create a team?
Answer: You ask your friends, family and classmates if they are tired of watching TV re-runs and doing to same old thing. Ask them if they want to do something important. Then, take this years Youth Action Guide and follow the step by step instructions to develop your team and action project! Remember, no one is too young to make a difference.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1 - Building your Youth In Action team.

1. Talk to friends, classmates and family members for their ideas to improve your community.
2. Ask them if they are willing to work with you and other youth to develop their ideas and solutions into ACTION.
3. Pick a date, time and place to bring everyone interested together to discuss their ideas. School classrooms, community centers or team member's homes can be used. Determine your common issues and areas of interest. Agree to become a Youth In Action Team. Choose an adult activity advisor and/or teacher to advise your team and help create support for your project and ideas.
4. Establish ground rules with your group. Examples include: Be respectful, speak one at a time, listen, no idea is a bad idea, etc.

Step 2 - Choosing your top idea and solution.

1. Have each team member write down at least one idea/solution for improving your community. Have them explain what they wrote and why.
2. Choose the best idea/solution using the fist to five consensus model (*See insert on Youth In Action Award Application). The solution should be a project your team can do if you wish to apply for a $1,000 Youth In Action Award (see Youth In Action Award Application Form for deadlines and rules).

Step 3 - Developing an action plan and project.

1. Have the whole team discuss the goals of your proposed solution. How can you, as a team, accomplish the goals you've agreed upon?
2. Discuss how long it will take to accomplish your goals. Make a list of what you will need (i.e. money, help from other youth and adults, information, etc.) Discuss when you plan to finish your project. (Time line)
3. Brainstorm each team members responsibilities to accomplish your goals and action plan. Have each team member discuss what they would like to contribute.
4. Match each team members contributions to your list of needs and time line (if you have too many unmatched needs, you may want to choose another project and/or seek new team members).

Step 4 - Begin your project!

1. Make a list of what each team member is doing and when they are doing it.
2. Choose places to hold regular meetings to discuss your problems and progress.
3. Complete your project and report your results to the Foundation of America. Contact your local newspaper and let them know the positive things youth are doing to improve your community.

Step 5 - Submit your project to apply for a $1,000 Youth In Action Award.

1. Fill out and mail your Action Response Sheet. Make sure to completely summarize your project in 250 words or less. Remember to include the results you have created, how many people were involved and how many people you have helped (positive impact). You will also need the signatures of a teacher or activity advisor familiar with your project and your Youth In Action team leader.

Then what happens?

$1,000 Youth In Action Awards will be announced as part of National Youth Service Day. $100 Honorable Mention Awards will also be sent out at this time. Award recipients are eligible to be invited to Washington D.C. to receive their award at a special award ceremony at the White House or Capitol. Youth In Action Awards are determined by the National Youth Advisory Council, a team of youth leaders from across America-- who review all youth project summaries, your total hours of work, the number of team members and the positive impact and results you have created for improving your community. All project results and summaries will be posted on our YouthLink website and shared with local and national media.

Want More?

We're glad you asked. How about hosting a Youth Action Summit at your school, university or at your community youth organization? To learn how, check out

Add the voice of your team to help create the National Youth Platform 2000. Submit your top three concerns/issues, solutions and message to the presidential candidates by mail or through the Youthlink website. (Not only can your actions change your community, but your voice and ideas can help change your country! Our goal is to have over 1,000,000 youth add their voices and ideas. How about yours?

And... all Youth In Action team leaders will be considered as potential delegates for the National Youth Convention 2000. Delegates will be taken by train to Washington D.C. to meet with the presidential candidates to deliver the National Youth Platform in August of the year 2000. Want to make history?

Youth In Action Award Application (.rtf format)

Combining your team’s ideas: Building consensus using fist-to-five

When a group comes to consensus on a matter, it means that everyone in the group can support the decision; they don't all have to think it's the best decision, but they all agree they can live with it. Whenever a group is discussing a possible solution or coming to a decision on any matter, Fist-to-Five, developed by the American Youth Foundation, is a good tool to determine what each person's opinion is at any given time.

To use this technique the Team Leader restates a decision the group may make and asks everyone to show their level of support. Each person responds by showing a fist or a number of fingers that corresponds to their opinion.

Fist - A no vote - a way to block consensus. I need to talk more on the proposal and require changes for it to pass.

1 Finger - I still need to discuss certain issues and suggest changes that should be made.

2 Fingers - I am more comfortable with the proposal but would like to discuss some minor issues.

3 Fingers - I'm not in total agreement but feel comfortable to let this decision or a proposal pass without further discussion.

4 Fingers - I think it's a good idea/decision and will work for it.

5 Fingers - It's a great idea and I will be one of the leaders in implementing it.

If anyone has fewer than three fingers, they should be given the opportunity to state their objections and the team should address their concerns. Teams continue the Fist-to-Five process until they achieve consensus (a minimum of three fingers or higher) or determine they must move on to the next issue.)