As I highlight champions of youth-adult partnership across the country , I’m reminded that different models work for different organizations. This post highlights one organization that has managed to sustain youth-adult partnership in organizational governance for an extraordinarily long time.
America’s Promise Alliance
America’s Promise Alliance (https://www.americaspromise.org/) has sustained youth members on its Board of Directors and Board of Trustees for over a decade. America’s Promise reserves at least two seats on its Board of Directors for youth members and currently has three. Youth Board members have full voting and acting rights.
America’s Promise also has youth members on its Board of Trustees, a robust steering committee of leaders from among America’s Promise’s 450+ partner organizations. While not required, the organization does this to mirror its Board of Directors and incorporate youth voice into the fabric of their strategic programmatic work.
America’s Promise does not pay stipends or wages to its youth or adult Board members, but it does cover travel costs for the youth members.
Key to success #1: Cemented in Governance Documents
America’s Promise bylaws require youth seats on the Board of Directors.
Section 3.4 Youth Representation. Young people shall help shape and contribute to Alliance strategies and activities. No less than two (2) youth representatives aged 16-24 shall be nominated and elected to the Board for a term of two (2) years.
Key to success #2: Compromise
Initially, America’s Promise hoped to engage youth under the age of 18 on its Boards. However, the multiple trips around the country required each year and other challenges limited its success.
America’s Promise found that young adults over 18 were better able to meaningfully engage with the existing level of staff support. At the time, America’s Promise wasn’t able to dedicate the additional staff time they felt younger Board members would need and so decided to focus on 18-year-old youth and above until they could fill that additional need. As a result, America’s Promise has been able to meaningfully and consistently engage young adult leaders on its Boards for over a decade.
Key to success #3: A National Recruitment Network of Youth-Service Organizations
As a national-level organization with a vast network of youth-serving organizations, America’s Promise recruits youth Board members through a national call to these organizations. Developing and maintaining a pipeline of rising youth leaders can be a challenge, especially for organizations that do not directly serve youth. Connecting with partners provides meaningful support for ongoing recruitment and can give youth a home-based link through which to access help, training, and guidance as needed.
To learn more about how your organization can sustainably engage youth and adults as partners in decision-making, reach out using the Contact Me page.