Governance: Elected Youth Council

This style of governance is when a component of a youth program, usually the “youth group” elects or has some particular system for selecting permanent leaders to do planning. Typically there is a representative from each grade level or each group (youth group, Sunday School, sports, ...)

The pros and cons are similar to those of Youth Officers, except less hierarchical and therefore easier to work with.

• Pros:
  • There is not a lot of prestige to these positions and they take time, therefore you usually get better and more capable participants than with “officers”
  • This approach gives you more consistency than less formal planning groups
  • With a representative from different ages you get their perspective and reactions
• Working with a youth council
  • This depends a bit on the size of the council and the size of the group they represent
  • Either break them into planning teams to alternate planning and executing programs
  • Or divide them into teams responsible for areas of the groups work: worship, meetings, service projects, recreation
  • Give them real power and control. Trust them. Delegate responsibility and tasks