The Heart of the Youth Leadership Conference
For several years, MYAN’s annual Youth Leadership Conference has been supported by the leadership and dedication of a Youth Planning Team, a group comprised of high school aged young people from across the state of Maine. The work of youth leaders has been integral to the success and meaning of an event that promotes the creativity, culture, and wisdom of young people, with meaningful opportunities for youth and adults to learn from one another. From the design and flow, to the workshops and content, year after year the Youth Planning Team has served as a key “sounding board” of ideas and expertise to create a rich atmosphere of youth leadership, connection, and change-making.
However, this August, we’re shaking things up! Building off of this past year’s momentum for change, we’d like to introduce you to…
The Leadership Team!!!
This August through November, MYAN’s Leadership Team of 11 committed youth leaders will come together for leadership, facilitation, and change-making training. This program seeks to move beyond technical aspects of event planning towards embodying the energy and practice of youth-driven action exhibited at the Youth Leadership Conference. Through collaborative exercises and activities, you will have the opportunity to cultivate your own unique leadership style and understanding of what it means to make positive change in your community with the support of peers. Not only will you better hone your facilitation skills through intentional practice and team-building, but you will actively engage in dialogue-based activities that push individual and collective thoughts on topics you’re passionate about. All of this comprehensive training will support you in your work in hosting the Youth Leadership Conference in November, where you’ll kick-off the event and lead youth “Home-Teams.”
For your work with the Leadership Team, you will be compensated with a stipend of $300.
2021 Application is currently closed.
What will you do as a member of the Leadership Team?
Cultivate your own unique leadership style and understanding of change-making!
Through individual and collective reflection, you will get curious about these questions: What does it mean to be a leader? How does leadership ‘show up’ in your community? What does it take to make change and what is your role in change-making?
Learn how to lead and facilitate activities alongside your teammates!
Through team-building activities, dialogue, reflection and practice, you will learn how to guide groups and individuals. From icebreakers, to discussions on important topics, you will build the skills to facilitate these activities.
Host the Youth Leadership Conference!
As the Leadership Team, you will host the Youth Leadership Conference in November. This will be an opportunity to flex those facilitation and leadership skills, kicking off the event on a high-note and engaging in deeper dialogues during the conference.
Meet new people!
You’ll be part of a 10-person team with peers from across the entire state of Maine! This is a unique opportunity to meet other young people who are passionate about changing-making and elevating the voices of peers.
