The document discusses establishing an effective policy committee for a youth program. It lists examples of policy committee responsibilities such as recommending policy changes, selecting community service projects, and reviewing budgets. It also discusses different levels of decision-making a policy committee can have, from simply providing input to making collective decisions. Finally, it outlines key practices for establishing an effective policy committee, including ensuring structural and operational respect, and focusing on relationship development between committee members and staff.

1. Engaging Young People in Decision-Making March, 2009 Umsobumvu Youth Fund YouthBuild Programme Establishing an Effective Policy Committee

2. A Policy Committee is. . . A structured policy input and decision making structure made up of elected or selected participant and staff representatives.

3. Why Have A Policy Committee?

4. Examples of Policy Committee Responsibilities Consult on programme design Recommend policy changes Select community service projects Participate in hiring of staff Review annual budget Plan events Mediate conflicts

5. Level of Buy-in Time Represents the programme Represents Young People Levels of Decision-Making with Policy Committee Adapted from Interaction Associates’ Facilitative Leadership Manual Represents Policy Committee Decide and Announce Provide training, knowledge on how and why decisions are made Delegate to PC with constraints Collective decision-making with PC(consensus, voting) Gather input from Policy Committee and decide Option Gather input from all participants

6. Where should each example go for Ivory Park YouthBuild Policy Committee? Programme evaluation Complaints about a staff member being consistently disrespectful Dealing with a serious infraction of the rules by another policy committee member Policy for scheduling one-on-one counseling sessions Policy on drug use after programme hours Selecting and planning a community service project

8. Key Practices for Establishing an Effective Youth Council

9. Key Practices for Establishing an Effective Policy Committee Ensure Structural Respect Ensure Operational Respect Ensure Relationship Development

10. Ensure Structural Respect 1. Be clear about purpose, goals, roles, structure, expectations, tasks and time commitment of Youth Council. Ensure scope of work is meaningful and manageable. 2) Identify the opportunities and supports members will need to ensure success in their roles. Determine the staffing, financial, and time resources needed. 3) Ensure highest level of organizational staffing as possible.

11. PLANNING TIME

12. Have well thought out process to select best possible members 2) Orient members well and then provide on-going training. Ensure Operational Respect

13. Effective Policy Committee Development T I M E 1-2 months 2-4 months 4 months on Content Training Team Building Content Training Team Building Content Training Team Building

14. 3) Teach and use good meeting management and structured group process. Ensure Operational Respect 4) Have Fun and Celebrate. 2) Orient members well and then provide on-going training. 1) Recruit Well

15. PLANNING TIME

16. 1. Be intentional about building relationships. Ensure Relationship Development

17. Effective Youth Council Development T I M E 1-2 months 2-4 months 4 months on Content Training Team Building Content Training Team Building Content Training Team Building

18. 1. Be intentional about building relationships. 2) Understand the role of the staff partner Ensure Relationship Development

19. PLANNING TIME

20. Good Luck