Youth Into Governance Project

Are you interested in finding out how community organisations are run? Are you in the 15 to 25 age group?

Would you like to join the board of a community organisation for a year to learn about the governance and management required to make the organisation work well? If so the Youth Into Governance Project is for you!

The Youth Into Governance Project is being coordinated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nelson Tasman, funded by Nelson City Council and supported by the following community organisations

• Nelson Tasman Business Trust
• Nelson and Tasman Cancer Society
• Citizens Advice Bureau Nelson Tasman
• National Council of Women NZ – Nelson Branch
• Whenua-iti Trust
• Volunteer Nelson
• Victory Boxing
• Employable
• YMCA Nelson
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nelson Tasman

The Boards of each of those organisations has agreed to have a young person join their board as Youth Representative for a year From February to December 2020.

For the young people selected be part of the project this will provide an opportunity to:

• Work with the board, contributing to discussions, decision making and looking after the governance of the organisation.
• Learn about governance – what good governance looks like and what needs to be done to make that happen.
• Share with other young people in the project a series of workshops, discussion sessions and personal projects covering the key aspects of good governance.
• Find out what responsibilities boards and board members have and why good governance is important for organisation success.
• Gain skills and knowledge to be a strong member of other community organisation boards after the project is finished.

For the boards participating in the project this will provide an opportunity to

• Gain the perspective of a young person in their discussions and decision making.
• Provide a supportive environment for young people to gain governance skills and knowledge.
• Share in the development of governance capability in our community.

What will be expected of me if I am selected to participate in this project?

• Young people selected to participate in this project undertake to contribute positively to the board to which they are assigned for one year and take advantage of the opportunities to learn about the governance function of a board and how that function is carried out by an effective board.
• They will undertake to maintain total confidentiality regarding all aspects of their participation in the activities of the board.
• They will provide to the best of their ability a young person’s perspective on matters considered by the board.
• They will work constructively with their assigned board mentors and with other members of the board with whom they work during their time with the board.
• They will participate constructively in the workshop sessions which are part of the programme and complete, with the assistance of their host board members, any “homework” assignments form those workshop sessions.
• Those applying will participate in an information session covering the programme goals, expectations and conditions of participation, and a subsequent selection process undertaken by programme organisers and representatives of participating boards.
• Those selected will participate in an initial workshop which will include details of the further workshop programmes and how their participation in the programme will be supported by their host boards and how their participation will be monitored and recorded for programme evaluation.
• Participating young people will complete an evaluation form at the end of the programme
• A final de-briefing session for participating young people will provide a forum for feedback on the programme, its pros and cons and recommendations for any future programme.

What will it cost?

There is no charge for participation in this project. However the young people in the project will have to cover their own costs for transport and other incidental costs.

There will be no payment for time spent with the host board or in group sessions which are part of the project.

How do I find out more about this project?

If you want more information contact the Project Co-ordinators, Ross Newman at ross.newman1@outlook.com. or Gaile Noonan g.noonan@xtra.co.nz

How do I apply to be considered for this project?

By completing the expression of interest on the Volunteer Nelson Website portal https://www.volunteernelson.org.nz/youth-governance/ by 15 January 2020. You will then be asked to go to an information in late January 2020 and participate in a selection interview by the end of January 2020. Those selected will begin working with the board they are allocated to and begin the group session programme in early February 2020.