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 email or call Michael Rosst at (202) 478-8507 or mrosst@thenc.org. 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 packet. If you have any trouble downloading or opening the form, please call Michael Rosst at 202.478.8507 and he will mail or fax you a copy. As the nominator, you must fill out section A and have the teen nominee and their parent/guardian complete sections B, C, and D. All parts of the application should be submitted together via fax, email or mail by June 22, 2009. 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 8-12 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 2009-2010 Youth Leadership Team class?
The deadline for Youth Leadership Team applications is June 22, 2009. All application must be received before or on this date. Applications received after June 22, 2009 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 22, 2009.
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 packet. If you have any trouble downloading or opening the form, please call Michael Rosst at 202.478.8507 and he will mail or fax you a copy. Your sponsoring adult must fill out section A and you and your parent/guardian will have to complete sections B, C, and D. All parts of the application should be submitted together via fax, email or mail by June 22, 2009. 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 22, 2009.
- 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 12-14, 2009. 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?
Since 1998, the Youth Leadership Team has served as the National Campaign’s eyes and ears into today’s teen culture. It’s hard to make a dent in the problem of teen pregnancy in the United States without the input of teens themselves. Youth Leadership Team members meet in Washington, DC at least two times during their 18-month term to advise the National Campaign on a variety of issues.
During their term, Youth Leadership Team members participate in a variety of activities that both promote teen pregnancy prevention and that expand their own abilities as well. They receive training on working with the press and on public speaking; we help them plan projects in their own communities to raise awareness of the issue; and we include them in many of our own activities as well, including media interviews, forums on Capitol Hill, and training for teens in various states and communities.
Youth Leadership Team members have been featured in media outlets nationwide, including the Associated Press, USA Today, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Washington Times, Los Angeles Times, Teen People, Scholastic Magazine, MTV, CNN, Channel One News, Court TV, and La Opinion (a Spanish-language newspaper) in stories related to both their personal experiences and to their Youth Leadership Team activities.
Youth Leadership Team member have also helped to shape Campaign publications such as Thinking About the Right Now, Voices Carry, and Talking Back: Ten Things Teens Want Parents to Know About Teen Pregnancy. The Youth Leadership Team was also instrumental in helping the Campaign develop messages for our teen public service campaign, Stay Teen.
6. What are my chances of being selected?
That’s impossible to say. What we can tell you is that there will be about 8-12 teens selected from all over the country. 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 a letter of notification no later than July 15, 2009.
8. When is the first meeting expected to take place?
The first meeting of the 2009-2010 Youth Leadership Team will take place August 12-14, 2009 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 call Michael Rosst at 202.478.8507 or email him at mrosst@thenc.org 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 Michael Rosst at (202) 478-8507 or mrosst@thenc.org.
Additional Information
If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Leadeship Team, please visit the Youth Leadership Team section of our website or contact Michael Rosst at (202) 478-8507 or mrosst@thenc.org.