Youth Action Council (YAC) 2010-2011

Mission: To promote youth advocacy through service while bringing about community
change.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What is the Youth Action Council (YAC)? The YAC is an organized group of young people
working with YouthServe to advocate youth leadership, develop service projects, have
fun together, and organize their peers for change. The YAC is made up of at total of 12
people.

What does Youth Action Council do? YAC members plan, implement, inform, and
encourage their peers through leadership to participate in community service projects
with the YouthServe Community Action program, while playing games and having fun.
YAC members also assist in the planning and implementation of YouthServe programs
and workdays.

The mission of YouthServe is:

“Empowering youth leadership through community service”

What are the requirements? YouthServe expects all YAC members to have a high
commitment level. Because of this expectation, YAC members are required:

 To attend the YAC RETREAT

 To miss no more than 1 workday (with preapproval from Sarah Davis)
 To miss no more than 2 monthly meetings (with preapproval from Sarah Davis)
 To host 1 fundraising event during the academic year
 **All foreseen conflicts must be addressed to Sarah Davis at earliest notice for
approval. Non-compliancy to this provision can result in the dismissal of your
appointment.

How are members selected? Membership with the YAC is based on the application and
the individual commitment level of the applicant. Members are selected by a
committee composed of YouthServe staff members and former YAC members.

**Applications are due prior to October 1, 2010**

2010-2011 YAC members will be addressed during our October Workday on October 9,
2010 at the YouthServe office.

What is in a completed application packet?

A complete application packet contains:

 completed application form with parent/guardian’s and applicant’s signature

 responses to the short answer questions
 recommendation form from a peer; not related to you
 recommendation form from a person of your choosing; may be a relative

How do I turn-in my completed application packet?

Application packets may be mailed to our office at:

YouthServe, Inc.
Attn: Sarah Davis/Jeffrey Williams
P.O. Box 530334
Birmingham, Alabama; 35253

Completed application packets may also be faxed to YouthServe at: (205)521-9671.

Please send all faxes to the attention of Sarah Davis.

If you have any questions/concerns about the application, please call Sarah Davis or
Jeffrey Williams at (205)521-6651 or (256)303-3334. You can also email
questions/concerns to Sarah at sarah@youthservebham.org or Jeffrey at
Jeffrey@youthservebham.org.
Thank you for your interest in joining YAC. We look forward to receiving your application
soon.
Responsibilities of Youth Action Council Members:

 Planning workdays for the year

 Participating in 4 of 6 monthly workdays, one workcrew a year and one urban service camp!
 Assist in planning and organizing all programming areas, including Saturday workdays, urban
service camps, community celebrations and other events. This includes identifying projects,
recruiting young people, and ensuring young people attend.
 Attend five planning meetings that are held monthly at the YouthServe office.
 Contributing to monthly YouthServe newsletter
 Being the liaison for your school/community to YouthServe, Inc.
 Attend the mandatory retreat in December.

IF YOU CANNOT COMMIT TO THIS, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY. IF YOU ARE ON YAC, YOU
WILL BE REMOVED IF YOU CANNOT FULFILL YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES. THIS
WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED THIS YEAR! WE NEED AN ACTIVE YAC!

Membership Application

Profile Information (Please print)

Name: ________________________________________________________Birthdate:
_________________

Street Address:
___________________________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________________________ Zip Code:

__________________________

Email Address:
___________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone:
____________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Work Phone: ____________________________________________________________

Name of Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s): _____________________________________________________

School Attending: ________________________________________________Grade:

__________________

Please indicate which service activities/areas interest you most (you may check more than one):

___ Homelessness ___ Environment ___ Housing

___ Hunger Issues ___ Mentoring/Tutoring ___ Literacy

___ Elderly ___ HIV Awareness/Health Issues ___ Other: ____________

Please respond to these questions on paper, video, artwork or any other creative medium. If responding on
paper, please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. Answers are judged on
content.

1) What do you consider to be three of the greatest issues facing young people today? Select one of
these and offer some suggestions on how you think young people might help to solve this issue.

2) How do you define leadership and how would you bring those qualities to the YouthServe Youth
Action Council?

3) Tell us about a time when you helped someone out. Tell us about the project/situation, the
person/group you helped, and if it made any impact on your life.
Interest Statement: I am interested in serving on the Youth Action Council. I understand the
responsibilities that I will take on if I am selected to serve. I also understand that the Youth Action
Council members represent the voices of young people in Birmingham and I will be asked to perform
outreach to other young people, schools, and other organizations relating to service issues.

I agree to accept the responsibilities listed above if selected to serve on the Youth Action Council.

_________________________________ ______________________________

Applicant’s Signature Parent/Guardian’s Signature

_________________

Date

Please return completed application to YouthServe offices or a staff member.

Youth Action Council Peer Recommendation Form

In addition to the application, each applicant needs to supply two recommendations—one from a peer and
one of their own choosing.

Applicant’s Name: ________________________________________________________________

Name of Reference: ______________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ___________________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________________________________________

How long have you known the applicant? __________________________________________

In what capacity have you known the applicant (teacher, peer, neighbor, etc.) _______

__________________________________________________________________________________

LEADERSHIP:

Consider the applicant’s ability to lead and work with others

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

WORK/SERVICE PERFORMANCE:

Consider such qualities as dependability, initiative, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

ATTITUDE:

Consider such qualities as the ability to work under pressure, adaptability, and enthusiasm.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

RELATIONSHIPS:

Consider the applicant’s relationships with peers, adults and the community. Consider such qualities as
understanding other people’s points of view and their ability to communicate with people of different
ages and backgrounds.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Consider the applicant’s written, artistic or verbal expression.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Please enclose recommendations in a sealed envelope and place your signature across the seal. Return to
applicant to deliver with the rest of the application; or if you prefer, mail to address below.

Signature: _______________________________________ Date: __________________________

Youth Action Council Recommendation Form

In addition to the application, each applicant needs to supply two recommendations—one from a peer
and one of their own choosing.

Applicant’s Name: ________________________________________________________________

Name of Reference: ______________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ___________________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________________________________________

How long have you known the applicant? __________________________________________

In what capacity have you known the applicant (teacher, peer, neighbor, etc.) _______

__________________________________________________________________________________

LEADERSHIP:

Consider the applicant’s ability to lead and work with others

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

WORK/SERVICE PERFORMANCE:

Consider such qualities as dependability, initiative, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Averag

ATTITUDE:

Consider such qualities as the ability to work under pressure, adaptability, and enthusiasm.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

RELATIONSHIPS:

Consider the applicant’s relationships with peers, adults and the community. Consider such qualities as
understanding other people’s points of view and their ability to communicate with people of different
ages and backgrounds.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average
____ Below Average

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Consider the applicant’s written, artistic or verbal expression.

____ Exceptional Briefly explain your rating of the applicant:

____ Above Average

____ Average

____ Below Average

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Please enclose recommendations in a sealed envelope and place your signature across the seal. Return to
applicant to deliver with the rest of the application; or if you prefer, mail to address below.

Signature: _______________________________________ Date: __________________________