Best Practice Number Ten

Has at least one YAC member serving as a voting member on the Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

Explanation:

Michigan law allows for youth age 16 and older to serve as voting members on nonprofit boards. A young person on the Board of Trustees of a community foundation provides adult members with a valuable perspective and the young person with a valuable leadership opportunity.

 

Recommendations for YACers:

Community foundation trustees, staff, and young people must be accommodating and flexible in terms of openness, training, meeting times, etc.

Try a mentoring or “buddy” system partnering adult and youth trustees to increase understanding and allow for a greater comfort level.

If possible, two youth trustees are ideal. If only one youth trustee is possible, create a “shadow” trustee; a youth member who attends all the meetings without a vote, who will take over the trustee position after a period of time.