youth hosted forum playbook - healthier generation · pdf file12.07.2012 ·...

20
PLAYBOOK HOSTED FORUM YOUTH A GUIDE FOR RAISING YOUTH VOICES

Upload: truongkhuong

Post on 07-Feb-2018

214 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

playbook

hostedforum

youth

A Guide for

rAisinG Youth

Voices

Page 2: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

Introduction

3 A Note about Positive Youth Development

GettingStarted

5 The Youth Planning Team, the Venue and Participants

6 The Audience

6 Forum Discussion

EssentialLogistics

9 Equipment, Supplies and People

11 Timeline

13 Making the Most of the Forum

14 Shining the Spotlight on the Forum

15 Engaging Public Officials

16 Recruiting Volunteers

16 Suggestions for Fundraising and In-Kind Donations

table of Contents

Copyright © 2013 Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Inc. Permission is granted for copy, distribution, and display of this publication solely for noncommercial, educational purposes, provided that the work is reproduced in its entirety without revision or modification, and that the copyright notice is included therewith.

HealthierGeneration.org

playbook

hostedforum

youth

Page 3: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 1

introductionChildhood obesity is one of our nation’s lead-

ing health threats. In fact, it is now regarded

as the number one health concern among

parents in the U.S., topping drug abuse and

smoking. Today nearly one in three kids and

teens are overweight or obese. They are

facing life-threatening health conditions, a

lessened quality of life and will inherit stag-

gering healthcare costs. If obesity among

young people continues to increase, many

believe this current generation will become

the first in American history to live shorter

lives than their parents.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to

address one of the nation’s leading public health

threats—childhood obesity. The goal of the Al-

liance is to reduce the prevalence of childhood

obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nation-

wide to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded

in 2005 by the American Heart Association and

William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference in

a child’s health: homes, schools, doctor’s offices, and communities.

As an adult ally, you can equip young people with the skills, knowledge and motivation to eat healthier and

be more physically active. One way to do this is by encouraging young people you work with to facilitate a

youth-hosted forum anytime throughout the year.

We believe youth are smarter, more connected, and more passionate than ever. However, young people

need resources and a platform to harness their collective power, speak in unison, and demand that the

places where they live, learn, and play are healthy. Youth-hosted forums are the platform we’ve created for

youth to lead and participate in discussions with each other that celebrate strides they are making to solve

the childhood obesity problem and highlight what else youth can do to move the progress meter even more.

While the collaboration between adults and youth to solve the childhood obesity epidemic is critical, the

intent of the youth-hosted forum is for youth to engage primarily with one another to dialog and plan for their

collective action. The extent to which they’d like to engage adults in the conversation should be left to them

to decide during their planning sessions.

THIS PlAYbOOK IS INTENDED

for use by any adult ally wishing to encourage and support youth leaders to plan and implement a youth-hosted forum.

Page 4: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 2

by organizing a forum, youth will develop important social competencies (decision-making, conflict

resolution, interpersonal skills) as well as a positive identity (self-esteem, sense of purpose, positive

outlook). because of their convening power, forums are a great way to forge collaborations with youth

serving organizations.

Make sure youth understand the time commitment they are making and help them with time manage-

ment strategies. We recommend integrating the youth-hosted forum into pre-existing activities, such

as days of service/celebration or service-learning projects.

If you have questions or need assistance as you plan your forum, contact us at empowerME@

healthiergeneration.org. Together we can make an impact to stop the childhood obesity epidemic and

ensure that all youth have the opportunity to live a healthy life.

AS AN ADUlT AllY, your role is to support youth as they plan the forum, providing wisdom and insight to make their event more successful. As you know, youth need a variety of types and levels of support and encouragement.

Page 5: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 3

YouthVoiceTips

• DO involve young people in the decision-making

from the very beginning (before it is too late for

them to be a part of meaningful change).

• DO include as many young people as possible.

• DO listen…really listen to young people and be

willing to learn from them.

• DO provide young people with the information,

training and support they need to succeed.

•DO plan meetings where everyone feels welcome.

• DON’T blame all young people for the actions of

one young person.

• DON’Task youth to attend your meetings and

then ignore the ideas they give to you.

• DON’T invite youth for image reasons.

• DON’T schedule meetings at times when youth

can’t participate: during school, late at night, etc.

• DON’Tuse youth as a “stamp of approval”

(showing them a completed project and asking

them to tell you they like it).

SOurcE: What Is Youth Engagement, Really?” ACT for Youth. ACT for Youth Center of Excellence. Web. 12 July 2012. HealthierGeneration.org/youthhostedforum

A Note about Positive Youth Development

Youth-hosted forums create a safe space in

which young people can share their thoughts

and opinions. This experience is an essential

aspect of positive youth development. Posi-

tive youth development, sometimes discussed

as “youth voice” or “youth engagement,” or

referred to as “youth development,” is “a frame-

work that guides communities in the way they

organize services, opportunities, and supports

so that young people can develop to their full

potential.” It’s an approach that focuses on

young people’s strengths and positive out-

comes, not their problems. This approach is

widely utilized by youth-serving organizations,

schools, government agencies and community

groups. Regardless of the setting, the emphasis

is on creating the conditions for a young person

to build the skills, values and relationships nec-

essary for life and work.

The practices and principles of positive youth

development serve as a foundation upon which

programs and activities that engage youth

can be built. Simple to define, yet sometimes

difficult to accomplish, youth engagement “is

the result when young people are involved

in responsible, challenging actions to create

positive social change.”2 The degree to which

this happens depends on the structure of the

organization, the experience of adults within the

organization and the timing of the particular ac-

tivity with which youth are asked to be engaged.

Engaging youth allows young people an op-

portunity to shape their own development by

interacting with decision-makers and leaders

in their school or community. If adults have a

Page 6: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 4

more authentic understanding of a young person’s aspirations, challenges and opinions, then they’re

more likely to design activities and programs promoting physical activity and healthy eating that truly

meet youth needs, and are more likely to be embraced and utilized.

As is the case with many new concepts, the most effective way to learn them is to put them into practice—

to move them from ideas to action. Youth-hosted forums provide a context in which to practice positive

youth development and youth engagement principles. The planning and implementation of forums utilize

very specific youth engagement tactics, such as youth voice and youth-adult partnership. Youth voice refers

to the tapping into the perspectives, ideas, experiences, knowledge and actions of young people.3 Youth-

adult partnerships are relationships created intentionally between youth and adults where there is mutuality

in teaching, learning and action.

To learn more about youth engagement as a way to prevent childhood obesity, check out the Alliance for a

Healthier Generation’s Youth Engagement Toolkit found at HealthierGeneration.org.

YOUTH-ADUlT PARTNERSHIPS are relationships created intentionally between youth and adults where there is mutuality in teaching, learning and action.

1 Principles of Youth Development.” ACT for Youth. Act for Youth Center of Excellence. Web. 12 July 2012. 2 What Is Youth Engagement, Really?” ACT for Youth. ACT for Youth Center of Excellence. Web. 12 July 2012. 3 Fletcher, Adam. “Youth Voice 101.” Youth Voice 101. The Freechild Project. Web. 12 July 2012. Visit HealthierGeneration.org/youthhostedforumto find the links to each index resource.

Page 7: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 5

Getting startedThe Youth Planning Team, the Venue & ParticipantsThe first step in hosting a successful forum

is to create a youth planning team. It’s also

important to involve committed adult allies

who can support the team throughout the

planning process. The planning team may

include youth representatives from your

organization, or may include youth from

other organizations as well. It is essential that

a variety of youth with different opinions are

invited to participate. Youth that haven’t had the

opportunity to take a leadership role should be

encouraged to participate. Many youth have

not volunteered before - simply because they

haven’t been asked! Don’t be afraid to ask.

by creating a strong planning team, you are

building your capacity to successfully imple-

ment the forum and increasing the likelihood

of strong attendance.

Theplanningteamshould:

• Include a majority of young people

• be committed to the objectives and imple-

mentation of the youth-hosted forum

• be enthusiastic about working together

• be willing to share information and

resources

further exploration

• Moderator Do’s and Don’ts:

• 10 Rules for being a Great Panel

Moderator:

Find the links at:HealthierGeneration.org/youthhostedforum

Youth-HostedForumOrganizationalchecklist:

❏ FIND A lOCATION FOR YOUR PlANNING

TEAM TO MEET. This could be at a school,

community center, library or congregation (a

location that is easy for your youth members

to attend).

❏ PICK A TIME FOR YOUR FIRST

PlANNING MEETING. Remember to hold

the meeting around school hours for optimal

participation of youth members.

❏ DECIDE WHEN AND WHERE THE

FORUM WIll TAKE PlACE:

• be sure to select a time when youth in

your community are available. Times that

have worked well for past forums include

evenings and weekends.

• Think about venues such as public libraries,

community centers, museums, parks and rec-

reation centers, and community facilities.

be sure it is easy to get to and canaccommo-

date your estimated audience size.

❏ DETERMINE THE YOUTH MODERATOR:

• Moderator should be mature, respectful and

able to listen attentively to the panelists.

• Moderator should be comfortable speaking

in public.

❏ DETERMINE THE PANElISTS:

• Select four to five panelists.

• Panelists should be active in making their

school or community and/or their personal

life healthier.

• Panelists should be comfortable speaking

about healthy living or the challenges

that may come with trying to do so. They

don’t have to be experts, but should have

personal experience with the topic.

Page 8: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 6

The AudienceAudience size can vary depending on the venue and overall goals of the forum however, most forums

range from 50-100 youth between the ages of 8 and 17. Youth attendees should include a combina-

tion of young people engaged in the issue and those who are not. The balance of the two will com-

plement each other and make for a rich dialogue.

Just as with a party, consider creating a guest list and ask invited guests to RSVP—that way you can

accurately plan.

It’s also important to make sure parents and adults who attend the forum are aware that they are there

to supervise and observe, not necessarily to participate. Unless prompted by the moderator, adults

should observe and reflect, not ask questions or interject in the conversation. The moderator may

wish to set this expectation at the beginning of the forum.

Forum DiscussionIt’s important for the moderator and panelists to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum.

This includes the “script” for the event. If the youth are having difficulty writing a welcome, questions

for the panel and a closing statement, we’ve provided these talking points.

WELcOMETalkingPointsfortheModerator

• DID YOU KNOW that nearly 1 in 3 young people in the US are

overweight or obese? That’s 25 million of us who are probably

not moving enough or eating nutritious foods.

• bUT bEING UNHEAlTHY isn’t actually about the way we look.

It causes some serious problems that we sometimes can’t see,

like diabetes and heart disease. luckily, there are tons of things we

can do to make sure our bodies stay healthy and strong.

• OUR lIVES bElONG TO US. It’s our body and our health.

We are the solution to the problem.

• TODAY IS AbOUT YOU. Today is about listening to the voice of young people and

celebrating the actions we are taking to make our own lives healthier. It’s about the

actions we’re taking to make our schools and communities healthier.

• CHOOSING TO EAT RIGHT and be active makes it easy to walk, skate, hike, swim,

jump rope, play soccer, go camping, run, dance, sing, paint, and do all of the other

fun stuff we enjoy doing.

Page 9: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 7

QuESTIONSforPanelists

The panel discussion should tell the story of what youth are experiencing

in their efforts to eat better and move more, including the barriers they face

in doing so. This is their chance to speak out on the topic. Here are some

questions that youth have discussed at previous forums:

• TEll US YOUR STORY and what

brought you to the youth-hosted forum?

• WHY IS EATING bETTER and moving

more important to you?

• WHY SHOUlD other youth care about it?

• WHAT ARE THE TOP TWO obstacles

that you face when trying to eat better

and move more?

• HOW DO YOU and your friends break

through these barriers?

• bETWEEN SCHOOl, work, clubs, and

other activities, how can you and your

peers eat healthier?

• IS THERE SOMEONE you know who

inspires you to be healthy and live active?

(e.g. athletes, adult role models, family,

friends) How have they encouraged you?

• HOW CAN YOUTH motivate their fam-

ily, friends, school and community to be

healthier?

• DOES YOUR SCHOOl help you to eat

better and be more physically active?

If so how? What organizations and

clubs have you been involved with (like

big brothers big Sisters, Camp Fire,

Jewish Community Center’s, Parks and

Recreation, YMCA) that have programs

or activities other youth should check

out to have fun and get active?

• DOES YOUR neighborhood help you

to eat better and be more physically

active? If so how?

• IF NOT, what could you do to help

your neighborhood become a healthier

place?

• IF YOU were leading the city, how would

you change schools to help youth to eat

better and be more physically active?

What about parks, neighborhoods, the

transportation system, etc..?

• IF THERE WAS one thing adults could

do to help youth live healthier what

would it be?

• HOW CAN YOUTH work together and

empower each other to build a healthier

generation?

Page 10: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 8

cONcLuSIONTalkingPointsfortheModerator

• AT TODAY’S YOUTH-HOSTED FORUM we had a chance

to talk about the importance of being healthy and share ideas

about how to help our families and communities get healthier.

• MAKING HEAlTHY CHANGES in our own lives—or within

our homes, schools or communities will take some work. but

we hope you are motivated and inspired from our conversation today.

• WE HAVE THE POWER to make a difference.

Page 11: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 9

essential LogisticsEquipment,Supplies&People

TAblES

❏ Panel

❏ Registration

❏ Handouts, brochures and healthy

giveaways or prizes (optional)

❏ Nametags

❏ Signage and decorations (optional)

CHAIRS

❏ 50-100 attendees

❏ Panelists/moderator

❏ Registration area

ElECTRONICS

❏ Sound system

(for microphones and music)

❏ Microphones

(for panel and audience participation)

❏ Recording device (audio or video)

❏ Projector for Power Point presentations (optional)

❏ Music source

REFRESHMENTS (OPTIONAl)

❏ Healthy snacks*

❏ beverages (water)

❏ Plates, cups, utensils and napkins

❏ Trash/recycling receptacles

STAFF/VOlUNTEERS

❏ Planning committee members

❏ General volunteers

❏ Tech-support volunteers

❏ Videographer (optional; professional or volunteer)

❏ Photographer (optional; professional or volunteer)

Page 12: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 10

Equipment,Supplies&Peoplecontinued

FIlMING-COMPATIblE FlOOR PlANS

If you’re filming the forum, select a location and room arrangement that will accom-

modate the additional equipment and carry sound effectively. Theatre style, large “U”

shaped and hollow-square arrangements work well for forums.

lOCATION CONSIDERATIONS

Successful forums have been held at schools, community colleges, parks, churches,

community centers and local businesses. When selecting a location, you should con-

sider these factors:

❏ Crowd size

❏ Safety

❏ ADA Accessibility

❏ Suitability for recording

❏ Costs for space (can it be donated?)

❏ Transportation (central location/public transit)

❏ Weather

SCHEDUlING CONSIDERATIONS

The date and time of a forum are just as important as the location. Remember that this

opportunity is for youth, so having it at a time when they can fully participate is critical.

When selecting a date and time, you should consider these factors:

❏ Weekday versus weekend

❏ Immediately after school or in the evening

❏ Avoid scheduling during religious observances, school activities, sporting events or

other special activities in which the panelists or audience might participate

*The Alliance developed the School beverage and Competitive Foods Guidelines to help students make healthier food and beverage choices in the school environment. These Guidelines can also be used by or-ganizations that are looking for healthier snacks to serve at events such as a youth-hosted forum. below are links to tools and resources you can use to select healthier snacks and beverages.

further exploration

• The Healthy Schools Product Navigator

• The Healthy Schools Product Calculator

• Competitive (Snack) Foods Guidelines

• School beverage Guidelines

Find the pdfs at:HealthierGeneration.org/youthhostedforum

Page 13: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 11

Timeline

2-3 MONTHS bEFORE THE FORUM

❏ Hold the first planning team meeting and create a schedule of planning meetings up until the forum.

❏ Choose your location and reserve it.

❏ Decide who will be your audience and begin promoting your forum by making a flyer, creating a Facebook event or by sending e-mails or Twitter messages.

❏ Think about who will serve as your panelists and moderator.

❏ E-mail the Alliance at [email protected] to let us know about your forum.

1-2 MONTHS bEFORE YOUR FORUM

❏ Continue meeting with the planning team.

❏ Continue inviting people and promoting the forum.

❏ Gather the necessary supplies for the forum.

❏ Find someone, perhaps a young volunteer, who can record the forum and/or take pictures.

1 MONTH bEFORE THE FORUM

❏ Continue meeting with the planning team.

❏ Continue inviting people and promoting the forum until you reach capacity.

❏ Recruit volunteers to help at the forum. Make sure everyone has a job and knows their responsibilities.

❏ Invite your local newspaper, TV or radio station to the forum. Phone calls work really well.

❏ Invite public officials such as the mayor, city council representatives and school officials.

2 WEEKS bEFORE THE FORUM

❏ Continue meeting with the planning team.

❏ Create a script and agenda for the forum.

❏ Support panelists and moderator as they prepare their talking points.

❏ Secure any other necessary supplies.

1 WEEK bEFORE THE FORUM

❏ Hold the last planning team meeting.

❏ Finalize the agenda and rehearse with panelists and moderator.

❏ Follow-up with media and public officials.

❏ Send reminders to invited guests.

A FEW DAYS bEFORE THE FORUM

❏ Check the weather and make any necessary preparations.

❏ Organize supplies for easy transport to the forum.

❏ If possible, arrange all chairs, tables and other supplies at the forum location.

Page 14: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 12

Timelinecontinued

THE DAY OF THE FORUM

❏ Check the weather and make any necessary preparations.

❏ Organize supplies for easy transport to the forum.

❏ If possible, arrange all chairs, tables and other supplies at the forum location.

THE DAY OF THE FORUM: SAMPlE AGENDA

10:00AM Arrive at venue with organized supplies and materials

10:15AM Meet with planning team and volunteers for check-in and direct to assigned tasks

10:30AM Hang all signage and check equipment/sound

10:45AM Check in with panelists and moderator; ensure all are prepared

11:00AM Registration

11:30AM Moderator welcomes everyone and introduces panelists

11:45AM Physical activity break

12:00PM Panel discussion (led by moderator)

12:40PM Question/answer session with audience

1:00PM Closing remarks

1:30PM Clean-up

2:00PM Meet with planning team and thank volunteers

AFTER THE FORUM

❏ Send a press release and pictures to local newspapers.

❏ Return rented or borrowed equipment.

❏ Send thank-you notes to donors, participants and VIP guests.

❏ Share your success story, photos and video with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

❏ Celebrate the group’s success!

Page 15: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 13

Making the Most of the ForumThere are many ways to have your forum be even more impactful. Here are a few suggestions.

• Consider incorporating physical activity before, during, or after the forum (i.e. after the forum host a

5K run/walk or incorporate physical activity breaks, such as JAMmin’ Minutes4, during the event.)

• Consider incorporating a community-wide service project (i.e. after the youth-hosted forum organize

a park clean up and healthy picnic for attendees.)

• Consider inviting community groups to perform or lead an activity (i.e. invite a dance team or

spoken word artist to perform during the youth-hosted forum.)

• Encourage youth to utilize social media to continue the discussion of their forum through blogging,

video sharing and photo sharing. Make sure you have permission from anyone appearing in photos

or videos if you’re going to share them publicly.

4 Visit HealthierGeneration.org/youthhostedforumto find the links to this resource.

CONSIDER INCORPORATING PHYSICAl ACTIVITY bEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER THE FORUM

Page 16: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 14

Shining the Spotlight on the ForumYou are organizing an important and exciting event in your

community. Here are some simple ways to help spread the

word about the youth-hosted forum and get some attention

for your efforts.

bE PREPARED.before you start talking about the youth-

hosted forum to a larger audience, make sure you know

a few key details about the event. You should know the

answers to these questions:

• Why is it important that we are organizing this youth-

hosted forum?

• What are the details of the youth-hosted forum?

Who, What, Where, When

• What is the impact of the youth-hosted forum? How

will it help solve the problem?

TEll EVERYONE.If you don’t talk about the youth-hosted forum, no one will know about. Have

you told your friends? Family? Neighbors? Co-workers? Grocery store cashier? Community

stakeholders? If someone has ears…let them know about your event! You never know who might

be able to help.

SHOWCASE YOUR FORUM.Have you made a flyer about what you are doing? Have you written

a short paragraph about the forum? As you are sharing your story with others, it will help to have

a few quick materials you can share with others. That way you will not have to start over every

time someone asks for information.

GET A CAMPAIGN MANAGER (OR TWO). You have a lot going on organizing and implementing

the forum. Don’t feel like you need to do all the communicating yourself. Ask your friends and

community members to help spread the word. Enlist them to put flyers in mailboxes, write emails,

do research on the media— you’d be surprised how many people are willing to help. Ask them for

their ideas and put them to work.

ENGAGE THE MEDIA. Do you know which reporter in your local paper, radio or on TV covers

health and obesity issues? Find out! And then send them a friendly email introducing yourself and

mentioning the forum. Have you already had media opportunities? Get back in touch with the re-

porter and share the news on the forum. They would love to hear from you and might even decide

to do a story on your event.

DOCUMENT & SHARE. Sometimes the most attention you’ll get for the event is after is it finished!

Make sure you take photos and videos of the forum in action and don’t forget to share it with the

media (if appropriate) and everyone who helped in the planning process.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Page 17: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 15

EngagingPublicOfficials

Inviting public officials to attend the forum can have

several benefits. Their presence may increase media

coverage. More importantly, they will hear directly

from young people about an important issue in the

community. Public officials to invite include:

CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOl DISTRICT

❏ Mayor

❏ City Council representatives

❏ County Commissioners

❏ School board members

❏ Police Chief

❏ Health Department officials

STATE

❏ State Senator

❏ Governor

❏ State Representatives

❏ Attorney General

NATIONAl

❏ US Representatives

❏ US Senators

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

❏ Contact elected officials early.

❏ Have a concrete and simple request, such as inviting them to open or close the forum,

congratulate youth or make an announcement about their commitment to health.

❏ Provide as many details as possible, especially about timing.

❏ Follow up multiple times until they’ve made a decision.

❏ If they agree to come, make sure someone is available to greet them.

Page 18: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 16

recruitingVolunteers

Volunteers are essential to successful community events. Encouraging youth and adults to

work together as volunteers strengthens relationships and builds community.

Important Considerations:

❏ Publicize volunteer opportunities widely (i.e. through other organizations, e-mail, social

networks, flyers and media).

❏ Hold an informational meeting and share the importance of the youth-hosted forum.

❏ Make sure your meetings, publicity, and outreach are engaging and relevant to the target

audience.

❏ Encourage a variety of individuals to get involved (youth, adults, individuals not traditionally

asked to serve, such as youth with disabilities).

❏ be flexible and allow volunteers to match their skills with tasks.

❏ Create valuable, meaningful assignments for volunteers.

❏ Identify volunteer leaders who can take charge of specific tasks (e.g. publicity/recruitment).

❏ be honest about expectations.

❏ Thank your volunteers.

To learn more about recruiting volunteers, check out Youth Service America’s “Tips for Recruiting Volunteers”

SuggestionsforFundraisingandIn-KindDonations

Organizations often rely on financial and in-kind donations to host a forum. Every organization

has different policies in place when it comes to who they approach and from whom they can

accept donations. For example, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation does not accept dona-

tions from food or beverage companies because of its role in negotiating agreements with

them—agreements that help create healthier options for young people.

IN-KIND CONTRIbUTIONS COUlD INClUDE:

❏ The venue or room in which the forum will be held

❏ Healthy snacks

❏ Transportation

❏ Prizes and other fun, creative giveaways

❏ Groceries and drinks for meetings, taste tests, cooking demos or healthy samples

❏ Equipment and supplies

Page 19: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 17

SuggestionsforFundraisingandIn-KindDonationscontinued

FOOD AND bEVERAGE SUGGESTIONS

❏ All food and beverages served should meet the Alliance’s Competitive Foods and

beverage Guidelines. For suggested items visit the Alliance’s Healthy Product Navigator.

RECOMMENDED SUPPORTERS

❏ Organizations such as Park and Recreation departments, Parent Teacher Associations,

Jewish Community Centers, Campfire USA Councils, YMCAs, boys and Girls Clubs, and

Girl or boy Scout troops

❏ Faith-based organizations

❏ Community-based organizations such as Rotary or Kiwanis clubs, the Jr. league, and other

philanthropic groups

❏ Sporting facilities, local sporting teams, and merchandisers such as sporting equipment

stores, gyms, ice skating rinks, tennis clubs, and pools

❏ local printing, copying and shipping companies

❏ Event locations such as parks, hotels, museums, stadiums, arenas and malls

❏ Retail stores

THANK YOU

Planning and implementing a youth-hosted forum requires time, energy and commitment. The Alliance

for a Healthier Generation thanks you for helping create this opportunity for young people to raise

their voices. When young people can participate and lead community conversations, contribute

solutions and inspire their peers, great change can happen. To overcome the barriers to eating better

and moving more it will take everyone. The forum you are planning may not immediately eliminate

these barriers, but it will begin or continue an important conversation—and hopefully lead to actions

that make your community a healthier place in which to live, learn, work and play.

Page 20: Youth Hosted Forum Playbook - Healthier Generation · PDF file12.07.2012 · smoking. Today nearly one in ... to contribute their ideas to the planning of the forum. This includes

youth-hosted forum playbook 18

JOINTHEMOVEMENT!HealthierGeneration.org

/HealthierGeneration

/HealthierGen

playbook

hostedforum

youth