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Youth Advisory Committee Document: YAC Rationale for Face-to-Face Meeting 2006
To: Jeff Rosen, General Counsel/Director of Policy
Marco Rodriguez, NCD Council Member Liaison
Dr. Gerrie Hawkins, Designated Federal Official
From: Executive board
CC: YAC Members
DATE: April 7, 2006
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is composed of youth who have an extraordinary amount of drive and determination. We are all leaders in our communities who strive to positively impact the lives of youth with disabilities and we are honored to be a part of the National Council on Disability.
The YAC is steadfastly working to adhere to the scope and objectives set forth by NCD members and staff. Our Vision Statement reads, “The Youth Advisory Committee provides youth specific input on public policy to the National Council on Disability. In addition, the YAC seeks ways to educate and unite young people through community participation and full-inclusion.”
We are proud to report that the YAC actively carries out our Vision Statement to the best of our abilities.
First, we have revitalized and reorganized the structure of YAC. Sub work groups and set meeting times have been in place since the first of this year. The Executive Board meets weekly and the Leadership Team (comprised of the Exec. Board, Work Group Leaders and Mentors) meet monthly to plan and prioritize YAC objectives and goals. In addition to the quarterly Public Meetings, the full YAC meets monthly for a general membership meeting that includes an overview of YAC business and a guest speaker who shares his/her areas of expertise. Both the Policy Work Group and the Outreach/Networking Work Group meet bi-monthly to focus on YAC products, while sub work groups meet on a project by project basis. Frequently scheduled meetings have enabled YAC to produce useful and exciting materials.
Secondly, some wonderful projects striving to fulfill our vision have come out of the established work groups and meeting times. We have produced a YAC Brochure and a Resource List of close to 400 national contacts. Other products include fact sheets on Self-Determination and Transition, Free Assistive Technology, and Youth Empowerment. Also, Transition and Technology is the first in a series of planned short papers. The most exciting part of the YAC is that the more we accomplish, the further members become engaged and motivated to plan out future goals.
Lastly, in addition to focusing on producing YAC products, the members of YAC network with not only members in the disability community, but moreover with one another. We share resources and articles on various issues from scholarship and internship information to policy descriptions on a variety of topics. Also, the YAC Leadership Team fosters personal relationships through sharing photos, personal stories, experiences, and engaging in meaningful dialogues throughout the year.
The YAC is accomplishing great things through new organizational structure, product development, and interpersonal relations. Granting YAC the ability to hold a Face to Face meeting would enable us to take what we have done and go a step further. We would have a brilliant opportunity to build upon internal working relationships by connecting with one another, NCD staff, and our NCD Liaison. Holding a public meeting in person would allow for possible networking with NCD members and with others in the disability community.
In addition to the excitingly possible organizational and personal relations, the YAC would also be able to hold elections in person. The Executive Board understands the importance of giving all members a chance to develop his/her leadership abilities within the YAC. A Face to Face provides an ideal forum to discuss and develop the direction of YAC through holding an election for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and work group leaders. Elections would be back on schedule with built in time for effective leadership transitioning -- allowing YAC to be in accordance with our bylaws.
Clearly, the YAC is motivated. A Face to Face would not only provide an amazing opportunity to meet with one another, connect to NCD, and develop a solid work plan, but to do something creative and innovative that has the potential to reach countless individuals.
The Leadership Team is highly interested in the idea of holding a youth input session/roundtable. This gathering could be focused on a topic such as, “The ADA Generation – Rights, Privileges, and Responsibilities” -- a look back to where the disability movement has come from with an emphasis on a promising future.
This could be a YAC member event or collaboration with other youth organizations. In order to make such an event far reaching and long lasting, video could be used to produce a piece that can be linked onto NCD’s website or used at next year’s ADA celebrations. This is an innovative idea that encapsulates youth perspectives on the ADA and we are excited to possibly explore this and other ideas further.
Last year, a few of our YAC members heard NCD Chair Lex Friedan speak at the National Youth Leadership Network meeting about the importance of being a leader. He explained that a true leader is amongst the crowd and properly represents others by never separating oneself from those they lead. That notion deeply resonates with YAC. We aspire to become true leaders.
Dr. Hawkins, Mr. Rodriguez, and Mr. Rosen, we greatly appreciate your unwavering commitment and support of YAC. We serve at the pleasure of NCD and could not do so with out you. Please do not hesitate to contact us about this or any other issue.
Respectfully,
Gina Semenza, Chair
Amy Litzinger, Vice Chair
Miranda Pelikan, Secretary |
