YAC

Youth Advisory Council

Do Something is currently accepting applications for the 08-09 YAC! The deadline for completed applications is Friday, August 22nd.

Who: The YAC is comprised of teenagers from across the continent serving at least a two year commitment. YAC members may reapply to serve on the council until they graduate from high school.

How: Do Something strives to encompass a wide range of opinions and life experiences reflected and influenced by its Youth Advisory Council members. Do Something staff and current YACers review the applications and select new members.

When: Do Something and YAC members connect via biannual in-person meetings and bimonthly conference calls in addition to ongoing e-mail correspondence. YACers make themselves available to advise on relevant issues.

Why: While Do Something utilizes focus groups and teen marketing experts, this information isn't merely informative. It is vital to the success of the organization that a group of teens are actual stakeholders in the organization, helping to influence the organization's direction and to keep us up to date with what's hot and what's not.

Do Something is committed to giving young people opportunities to make a difference. It is important to present a forum for youth to speak about and participate in the planning, policy development and evaluation of program services. Creating and truly utilizing the input of the YAC are additional means of giving youth the chance to participate in changing the world.

What: Reviewing programmatic direction and decisions of the organization.

Examples Include:

• Assisting in the determination of ideal logos, images, and campaign concepts. For example, the YAC designed the “hot chocolate stands for something” campaign.
• Helping with the selection of Do Something grant winners. The Youth Advisory Council reads applications and flags their favorites.
• Reviewing the word choice(s), celebrity targets, and website content. The Youth Advisory Council keeps Do Something “on brand.” A veritable “teen police,” the YACers keep Do Something fresh, relevant, and appealing to the target market.
• Representing the Do Something Advisory Council at meetings, conferences, and in the community at large; YACers act as the official youth “ambassadors” for Do Something.

Where it counts: While the YAC helps Do Something, the YACers also benefit. By participating in the Youth Advisory Council, young people develop skills they can use throughout their lives, such as decision making, working with a team, presentation skills, developing creative ideas, and gaining knowledge about governance and its ability to impact communities.