Engaging youth as decision-making partners in organizations

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Abstract

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and commissioned by the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development, outlines how to integrate youth into the decision-making processes of youth organizations, and the positive outcomes for adults and organizations that can result.

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Issue

There is a growing national movement to infuse young people into decision-making roles in communities and organizations. Research supports the movement's claims that in addition to benefits for young people, adults and institutions also benefit from youth involvement.

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Action

For youth involvement to be effective, organizations must create the following "necessary conditions:"
  • The top decision-making body is committed to youth governance, with a focus on vision and learning rather than rule-making and management.
  • Organizations provide support for youth to advance through a variety of decision-making opportunities.
  • Organizations involve older youth in governance positions early on in the organizational change process — they eventually integrate younger adolescents into governance.
  • Adult leaders strongly advocate for including young people in decision-making roles, to counter social tendencies against having youth in such positions.
  • Adult attitudes about youth stereotypes change when interactions with youth are goal-oriented and purposeful; are lengthy; and have meaningful consequences.
Effective decision-making in organizations requires the complementary skills, experience, and contributions of both youth and adults.
  • Youth bring energy, fresh perspectives, knowledge of young people, and a sense of community to decision-making processes.
  • Adults bring organizational and administrative experience, allowing youth to concentrate on more mission-driven and action-oriented aspects of decision-making.
  • Working together creates a synergy between youth and adults, creating a climate that is grounded in honest appraisal, reflection, and ongoing learning.
Challenges to youth participation:
  • Lack of knowledge — many youth have not been involved in decision-making experiences.
  • Unwillingness to get involved — because they have not been invited before, many youth are skeptical that their voice and vote will count.
  • Unclear roles — structure and clarity about functions and responsibilities are essential.
  • Unique needs — organizations must also pay attention to the unique scheduling, transportation, and financial constraints that are often associated with being young.

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Context

Researchers for this study identified organizations that had a strong reputation for youth involvement in decision-making. Nineteen youth and 29 adults from 15 organizations, selected for regional diversity, gave personal interviews. The youth, staff, and board members of sixteen additional organizations attended focus groups in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was commissioned by the Innovation Center for community and Youth Development, a Division of National 4-H Council, in partnership with the Youth in Governance Taskforce of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. The study and its publication were made possible through the generous support of Surdna Foundation, Inc.

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Outcome

Adults improve
  • Direct experience with competent youth as legitimate, crucial contributors to organizational decision-making processes helped adults reconsider negative stereotypes of youth.
  • Working with youth served to enhance the commitment and energy of adults to the organization.
  • Adults felt more effective and more confident in working with and relating to youth.
  • Adults better understood the needs and concerns of youth, gaining a stronger sense of community connectedness.
Organizations improve: organizations involving youth at all levels of decision-making were most likely to achieve positive outcomes.
  • The principles and practices of youth involvement became embedded within the organizational culture.
  • Young people can help clarify and bring focus to an organization's mission.
  • The adults and the organizations as a whole became more connected and responsive to youth in the community. By directly involving youth in organizational decision-making, the work of an organization can be made more relevant to the lives of youth.
  • Having youth as decision-makers helped convince funders that organizations were serious about promoting youth development. Youth also serve as powerful spokespeople when requesting money from funders.
  • Including youth in decision-making led organizations to reach out to the community in more diverse ways.

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Posted On

October 18, 2001

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For More Information

Kristen Spangler
Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 502
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Phone: (617) 367-7451
Fax: (301) 270-5900

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