Resources for Youth as Decision Makers

There is a steadily growing wealth of information available to those who would like to involve youth in decision-making roles:

• At the Table—Grounded in the conviction that institutions and communities benefit from the voices of young people “at the table” where decisions are made that affect them, this site brings together advocates for youth involvement and practitioners in the youth development field. www.atthetable.org
• Sound Out—A recent initiative with the HumanLinks Foundation supported the creation of booklets that document stories, research, and resources that promote meaningful student involvement. These and other tools are available free at www.soundout.org
• Youth Voice: A Guide for Engaging Youth in Leadership and Decision-Making in Service-Learning Programs—Addresses youth voice, an element of service-learning that educators agree is important, yet struggle with implementing.  The guide is intended to help practitioners to understand what youth voice is, why it is important, and apply models of youth voice that have been successfully implemented in service-learning. www.servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/7/YVGuide.pdf
• Youth Leading Now: Securing a Place at the Table—This article offers practical Dos and Don'ts for making youth/adult governance efforts successful. www.cydjournal.org/NewDesigns/ND_99Sum/Hoover.html
• Youth on Board--prepares youth to be leaders and decision makers in their communities and strengthens relationships between youth and adults by providing publications, customized workshops, and technical assistance. www.youthonboard.org
• What Kids Can Do—Documents the value of young people working with teachers and other adults on projects that combine powerful learning with public purpose. www.whatkidscando.org
• Student Involvement Handbook—This PTA document offers guidance for any school considering enriching student involvement. www.capta.org/sections/membership/student-involvement-full.cfm
• Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities--Works to build communities that work for youth and to develop young people who will grow up to lead them. The Gardner Center’s Youth Engaged in Leadership & Learning (YELL) project was specifically designed to engage middle level youth as active decision makers in their schools and communities. A downloadable free YELL curriculum handbook is available. https://gardnercenter.stanford.edu

• Youth in Governance: How to Be a Decision-Maker in Your Community (YOUTH)—This guide from Tennessee 4-H is designed for young people who want to be involved as a decision-maker on a local board or committee. www.utextension.utk.edu/4H/ythgov/SP649.pdf