The following are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the the Youth Leadership Team selection process. If you cannot find the answer to your question listed on this sheet, please feel free to contact Stefanie Boltz (202-478-8524). The following FAQs are separated by audience. Please make your selection from the list below:
Questions from Nominating Organizations
1. How do I nominate a teen for the Youth Leadership Team?
First you need to download the Youth Leadership Team application. If you have any trouble downloading or opening the form, please contact Stefanie Boltz (202-478-8524) and she will mail or fax you a copy. As the nominator, you must fill out section C and have the teen nominee and their parent/guardian complete sections A, B, and D. All parts of the application should be submitted together via fax, email or mail by June 1, 2011 (5pm EST). Please send all parts of the application to:
Mail: |
Youth Leadership
Team Search |
Email: |
|
Fax: |
202-478-8588 |
2. What is The National Campaign looking for in a Youth Leadership Team member?
We are looking for exceptional teenagers with a genuine commitment to preventing teen pregnancy. The nominee, if selected, will be representing your organization on a national level. Therefore they should have strong leadership qualities and communication skills, should work well with others and, most importantly, should be responsible and reliable.
3. What is the deadline for nominating a teen for the 2011-2012 Youth Leadership Team class?
The deadline for Youth Leadership Team applications is June 1, 2011 (5pm EST). All application must be received before or on this date. Applications received after June 1, 2011 (5pm EST) will not be reviewed.
4. How old does a teen need to be to apply for the Youth Leadership Team?
Youth Leadership Team members must be at least 14 years of age and younger than 18 years of age as of June 1, 2011.
5. Is my organization financially responsible for our teen’s participation in the Youth Leadership Team?
No. The National Campaign covers all costs associated with participating in the Youth Leadership Team, including travel, lodging, and meals.
Questions from Teens
1. How do I nominate a teen for the Youth Leadership Team?
First you need to find an adult who is not related to you who is willing to nominate you for the team. Once you have identified that adult, you will need to download the Youth Leadership Team application. If you have any trouble downloading or opening the form, please contact Stefanie Boltz (202-478-8524) and she will mail or fax you a copy. Your sponsoring adult must fill out section C and you and your parent/guardian will have to complete sections A, B, and D. All parts of the application should be submitted together via fax, email or mail by June 1, 2011 (5pm EST). Please send all parts of the application to:
Mail: |
Youth Leadership
Team Search |
Email: |
|
Fax: |
202-478-8588 |
2. What are the requirements for being a member of the Youth Leadership Team?
Youth Leadership Team members must be:
- At least 14 years of age and younger than 18 years of age as of June 1, 2011.
- Nominated by an adult sponsor.
- Committed to working in their community to prevent teen pregnancy during and between Youth Leadership Team meetings.
- Able to participate in all Youth Leadership Team meetings and events and make the required commitment of time and energy.
- Able to travel at least twice over an 18-month period to attend Youth Leadership Team meetings in Washington, DC and other Campaign-sponsored events. (Note: The first Youth Leadership Team meeting is expected to take place August 10-12, 2011. All members must attend.)
- Interested in talking to local and national media about the role of teens in teen pregnancy prevention.
- Willing to work respectfully with others.
3. I found out about this opportunity on my own, not through an organization interested in nominating me. Can I still apply?
Definitely, but you will need an adult sponsor. We encourage interested teens to find an adult to nominate them. Your sponsor doesn’t even have to be an adult from a teen pregnancy-related organization. The only thing we ask is that you find a sponsor who is not related to you.
4. I really care about teen pregnancy prevention and want to help but I have never worked or volunteered anywhere in this field. Should I even bother applying?
Of course! While many times it turns out that our Youth Leadership Team has impressive experience working on this topic, we need the opinions of all kinds of teens, not just those with lots of experience working on this issue. Specifically, we need teens who are tolerant of a diversity of views on this issue.
5. What does the Youth Leadership Team actually do?
Youth Leadership Team members have been featured in media outlets nationwide, including the NBC News, ABC News, CNN, The New York Times, USA Today, MTV, Seventeen Magazine, and The Washington Post. They have written articles for our teen website, StayTeen.org, as well as other teen-oriented sites like MTV.com and Chica Girl magazine.
YLT members were also instrumental in helping The National Campaign develop broadcast ads for our Stay Teen public service campaign. Ads created by and starring YLT members have aired on FOX, Lifetime, and TeenNick.
YLT member have also helped to shape Campaign publications such as Thinking About the Right Now and Talking Back: Ten Things Teens Want Parents to Know About Teen Pregnancy.
6. What are my chances of being selected?
That’s impossible to say. We try our best to create a diverse team that represents teens from different geographic regions, socioeconomic levels, ethnicities, viewpoints, and life experiences. Half of the team will be male and the other half female. The best thing you can do to increase your chances of being selected is do a great job with your essay and show us why you can contribute a unique perspective to this team. In past years we have received approximately 100-125 nominations per class.
7. When will I find out if I have been selected?
Both you and your sponsor can expect to receive notification by phone no later than June 15, 2011.
8. When is the first meeting expected to take place?
The first meeting of the 2011-2112 Youth Leadership Team will take place August 10-12, 2011 in Washington, DC. All members are expected to attend.
9. I really want to be on the Youth Leadership Team, but I already know that I won’t be able to make the first meeting. Can I still be on the team?
Unfortunately, no. We expect all members to attend all of the Youth Leadership Team meetings. No exceptions.
10. How much does it cost to be on the Youth Leadership Team?
It doesn’t cost you anything. The National Campaign pays for all travel and meeting-related expenses. However, we do ask your sponsoring organization to provide financial assistance to offset meeting expenses whenever possible. This is not mandatory and will not affect your chances of being selected.
Questions from Parents
1. If meetings are held in Washington, DC does that mean that my child will be flying there alone?
Correct. However, the safety and supervision of these teens is our top priority. Where possible, we do our best to book them direct flights to Washington, DC so that after you drop your teen off at the airport all they have to do is get off the plane and walk to the security terminal where a Campaign staff member will meet them. This staff person will then escort your teen to the hotel. Detailed travel instructions are always provided in advance of each meeting so that you and your teen are very clear about what they need to do. We have never had a problem with this system, however, please feel free to contact Stefanie Boltz (202-478-8524) with any questions or concerns.
2. Where would my child be staying during their time in Washington, DC?
The Campaign arranges for all Youth Leadership Team members to stay at a hotel during their time in Washington. Hotel accommodations very from meeting to meeting based on hotel availability. The Youth Leadership Team is chaperoned at all times. At the hotel, Youth Leadership Team members stay in a room with one other Youth Leadership Team member of the same sex. The Youth Leadership Team girl’s rooms are all on one floor and the Youth Leadership Team boy’s rooms are all on another floor. National Campaign staff members stay at the hotel with the Youth Leadership Team each night and security guards are hired to patrol the halls where the Youth Leadership Team members are staying. We take the security of our Youth Leadership Team members very seriously.
3. My child wants to apply for the Youth Leadership Team, but I have some concerns. Is there anybody I can talk to?
Of course. If you have any questions or concerns about the Youth Leadership, please contact Stefanie Boltz (202-478-8524).