Diversity: a definition

(di’vûr’si tē) n.

1.      1. variety.  2. the spice of life.  3. holidays with your eccentric (for lack of a better term) family. 

Whatever definition you think of when you hear the word “diversity,” what should be in the forefront of your mind is “YAC.”  Youth Advisory Councils depend on diversity to be effective.  How else will you understand the needs of your community if your YAC doesn’t reflect the people within the community?  Think of your YAC as a bowl of ice cream: you put more than just ice cream in the bowl, right?  You sniff through the buffet, sorting through every delicious combination of sweets imaginable: caramel; chocolate; sprinkles; cookie dough; cherries; nuts; hot fudge (are you drooling yet?).  You can’t make a sundae without the different toppings.

The point is this: One kind of person does not a YAC make.  As YAC members, every one of you should always be looking for ways to improve not only your community but the diversity of your group.  A diverse group opens doors to different ideas that one person can’t think of on his or her own.  You guys are a sounding board for each other so take advantage of the knowledge all of you can gain from other people’s insights. 

If the ice cream analogy didn’t tickle your cranial taste buds, here’s a great quote that might: 
“Great achievements are not born from a single vision but from the combination of many distinctive viewpoints. Diversity challenges assumptions, opens minds, and unlocks our potential to solve any problems we may face.” – Unknown

So challenge yourself and your YAC.  Become a diverse group that is united for a single cause:  to help youth in need.  You won’t regret gaining new insights.  We promise.