"If your actions inspire others to dream more,learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." ~John Quincy Adams

Youth Leadership at MYAN

We strongly believe in the power of youth and adult partnerships, and strive to live and model this value throughout MYAN's work. Some example of this include:

• youth facilitators and co-faciltiators of workshops at MYAN events
• youth co-facilitators of MYAN's own trainings
• youth planning, guidance and participation in our work
• youth articles for newsletters
• MYAN's year-long Youth Leadership Program, which is in it's pilot year in 2010-2011. The participants for this year have already been selected. Applications for the 2011-2012 year will be accepted in spring 2011.

For more information about youth leadership opportunities at MYAN, contact Chris Gorman.
 

 

Other Youth Leadership Opportunities Around Our Network & the World

In addition to our own youth leadership opportunities, it is our goal to promote youth leadership opportunities throughout the state and across the country.

 

CADCA Youth Delegate Program
A&E Television has partnered with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America to create the CADCA Youth Delegate program. Through an application process, A&E and CADCA will select a young person who is actively involved in their local coalition and has participated in CADCA’s National Youth Leadership Initiative (NYLI). The selected youth delegate will be honored, along with the 51 state delegates, for his/her service to the recovery community.

Project Aware's Summer Film Institute
The Summer Film Institute is held in August of each year for youth ages 13 – 18. The goal for the Institute is to create a film product about a social issue to be determined by a group of young people. The film institute attendees will then be responsible for producing a high quality video which will be marketed to make a difference and raise awareness about the issue that is identified.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) Teen Council
Share your insights on teen life, our programs and our services in the Teen Council!  While serving on the council, teens will act as our advisors and discuss the following topics in an open-discussion format.  Also receive a $20 stipend for each meeting.

Global Leadership Adventures
Join other globally-minded students on meaningful and exciting teen study abroad programs.  Sound interesting? We have information for people of all ages and qualifications interested in our teen community service and learning programs.

Global Youth Service Day
Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning.  The largest service event in the world, GYSD is now celebrated in over 100 countries. On GYSD, children and youth address the world’s most critical issues in partnership with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments.

Live, Learn, Intern:  DC Internships
Invest in your future and make a difference in the lives of others this summer by attending the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service (IPVS)! This dynamic program is intended for students who are involved in volunteer activities and are excited about exploring professional opportunities in the nonprofit sector.  Application due March 5th.

Seeking Youth Leaders Interested in the Environment
Maine DEP is seeking Youth Leaders interested in doing community service project to reduce the impacts of climate change such as Clean Air Zone no-idling projects and Maine Green School Energy Efficiency project or Home Energy Efficiency projects. Please contact Deb Avalone-King FMI about specific communities seeking help or starting your own project.  (287-7028 or email )  Current local community partners seeking help with Clean Air Zone projects include Kennebunk, Yarmouth, Bangor, Portland, Deer Isle.  (Some of these include paid internship opportunities for college students.) Current communities seeking help with school and/or home energy projects include Waterville, Lewiston, Portland and more.... Check out their student projects website that gives a rundown on some of the projects that Maine youth have been doing in Maine.

HelloCHANGE
If you are a young person (25 & under) or work with young people this may be helpful. helloCHANGE is currently looking for two additional interns for the fall. We need an additional Online Outreach Organizer and a Graphic Design intern. These internships are non paid, potential for free travel. For more information, please email  Zim Ugochukwu.

Youth Empowerment and Policy Project
Now Hiring!  YEPP provides a statewide youth perspective while working with communities to gather information on the effect that alcohol has on youth and disseminates that information to our communities, state and nation. YEPP is now looking to hire new youth members to join the group! Check out their recruiting poster for more details and contact information.
   
Be a Congressional Page
Youth who are 16 yrs to 18 years old and have a 3.0 GPA can apply to serve in Washington, DC as a page. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have Page Programs.

Be a White House Intern
Youth who are at least 18 and have either enrolled in a college or are currently attending college can apply to be a White House Intern for the Obama Administration.  The honor of serving as a page during the Obama administration will be an invaluable experience.  Find out more at the White House website.
    
Inspiring Change Through Art...
Do you want to change the world with your art or writing? JJ Express Magazine is a non-profit children's magazine started by youth that uses comics to teach kids about social issues. Their comics address everything from environmentalism to poverty in a fun and engaging way. They're always looking for artists to draw contribute to these comics and writers to come up with storylines as well as artists and writers for supplementary articles in the magazine. Even if you have never illustrated or written a comic - don't worry - they can walk you through the process. All that's needed is a willingness to learn and experience creating for children. If you are interested, please send 3 samples of your work to editor@jjexpressmagazine.org or 7784 Mayflower Hill, Waterville ME 04901. They accept work from all ages and backgrounds. Check out more information at http://www.jjexpressmagazine.org/  Create. Inspire. Change.

Queer & Allied Youth Writing Project Contest
Add Verb wants YOUR original writing addressing LGBTQI youth issues and the important role allies play in the community. Submissions need to be PERFORMANCE TEXTS: monologues, spoken-word, short scenes, etc.  Selected pieces will go into an anthology of performance texts and community theatre activism advice, scheduled for publishing in 2010.  Submissions will be reviewed by Add Verb and teams of volunteer editors. Writers can revise and re-submit!
For more info go to : www.myspace.com/QUEERALLYWRITING
Questions? Email VISTA@AddVerbProductions.com or call Vanessa at Add Verb: (207) 772-1167

Be the next member of the Maine Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)!
Want to make change in the world and don't always know how? Here is an opportunity to help your peers be heard in Augusta and to make long lasting change in Maine. Maine Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is a 20-member council made up of adult legislators and high school and college students from across the state of Maine. LYAC's primary duty is to advise the Legislature on legislative proposals and policy matters that impact Maine's youth and is an important vehicle for getting important youth issues heard. Come be part of a council that is making history in Maine and in the nation.

LYAC Basics

• Any Maine youth age 16+ enrolled in school (or an equivalent program like homeschooling) may apply. LYAC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and values diverse viewpoints.
• LYAC members are appointed by the Senate President and Speaker of the House and are asked to serve for two years. Terms of service begin upon appointment and end with the session of the legislature.
• Meetings are typically held at the State House in Augusta during weekday business hours, so youth members must be able to be excused from school for the days that LYAC meets. 
• Council members will be expected to agree to and sign an attendance policy which requires attendance at all Council meetings and related activities. 
• LYAC Members are reimbursed travel expenses associated with LYAC meetings and related events.

 How to Apply

Applications are being accepted on an on-going basis. Send a statement of interest and a resume to:
    
    Speaker of the House
    Maine State Legislature
    State House Station #2  
    Augusta, ME 04333

    or

    President of the Senate
    Maine State Legislature
    State House Station #3
    Augusta, ME 04333

If you have further questions or would like to discuss this opportunity contact Ben Goodman of LYAC at ben@filibustermedia.com.