HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From all of us on the YAC team, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!!

We hope you will reflect on how to make your YAC a better program so when you return to your meetings in 2012 you will have fresh ideas and a new perspective on how to have a great grant cycle!

Don't forget to sign up for YAC Attack! and vote on your favorite t-shirt at http://arcf.org/TransformArkansas/YouthAdvisoryCouncilsYAC/2012YACAttack/tabid/348/Default.aspx!

Cheers,
The YAC team

Arkansas YACs: A trip down diversity lane

It’s always great to see the diverse audiences that the YAC program involves. When you have a program that reaches state-wide, you will find different structures, different members, and different community projects. With that said, the overall YAC program is just as diverse as the young people involved in its efforts. Very cool, right?

I had the privilege of traveling to Jonesboro to meet with the Craighead County YAC last Thursday. The Craighead County YAC meets at City Youth Ministries every month or so and has about 10 members. Jerry, Lisa, and Blake are the three advisors that are supporting the YAC and their community efforts. At the meeting we discussed different opportunities for them to help out in the community. They listed possible community service projects. They also discussed potential grant opportunities for school organizations that work to enable students to have a voice. It was a great meeting with lots of valuable discussion. We’ll be seeing great things from the Jonesboro YAC AND I have no doubt that we’ll see them at YAC ATTACK!

Until then...

Lea

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.

YAC Spotlight: Pine Bluff YAC

Want a great reason to stay connected to YAC’s across Arkansas? 

Two words: Fundraising Ideas! 

Last year the Pine Bluff YAC members decided to shake things up a bit for their fundraising campaign.  They held a talent show of Youth Acting Crazy to help build their funds for the year.  “The talent in the room was immense!” recalls Bren Hipp, a YAC member of Pine Bluff.  “We had singers, dancers, poets and even a full band.”  Bren is heading up the planning committee for this year’s talent show and his fellow YAC members are super pumped to start working! 

So Bren, what did you guys do to get the word out about the show?

“We advertised through schools, local dance studios, Facebook and word of mouth.  One of our members created some outstanding fliers for distribution.”

How did you get all of the materials to host this kind of event?

“The Arts and Science Center of Pine Bluff loaned their facility to us free of charge and the Trophy House of Pine Bluff donated trophies to support our cause!  We charged an entry fee for guests and we collected donations [some of this money helped offset the cost of posters and fliers] but we didn’t have to pay out of pocket very much at all.”

How successful would you say the show was?

“We raised approximately $500 from the show and had about 50 people from the community come to support us!”

What are you guys planning to do this year to make the talent show even better?

“This year we plan to start earlier advertisement and organization for the show to attract more performers.  We've spoken with the Arts Center director and she is letting us use the facility free of charge again this year! Our talent show is geared toward raising money to issue grants to better our community. It's a great feeling to have help and interest from other organizations as well as the support from our advisors Chris Castoro and Mattie Collins.”

There you have it.  All it takes to put on a spectacular performance is planning in advance and a pumped up crew to help get things rolling for a great cause!  (And maybe a few donations from local businesses- but how easy is it to get those things?! Ask and you shall receive my friends.) Want more details or still have questions?  Comment on this post or e-mail us at yac@arcf.org.  We’ll get you on track.

[Rethink] What It Means to be a Leader

“Is there anything worse than being blind? Yes! The most pathetic person in the whole world is someone who has sight but has no vision.”  -Helen Keller-

Being a leader is more than just telling people what to do: it's having a vision of something (big or small) that can change the world.  I know you've heard it all before:  YOU can make a difference; ONE person is all it takes to start a movement."  Whether you think these sayings are cliche or not, they are true.  If no one stood up for anything would we still be the same people we are today?  No!  We need leaders and believe it or not, YOU are and can be an effective leader!

In order to be a leader you must have: courage, initiative, passion, goals and endurance.  Whether you hold an office on your high school student government or volunteer at the soup kitchen every once in a while you are doing something to change your community.  This is why you're involved in YAC!  To make a change no matter how miniscule you might think it is.  The next time your YAC group grants money or serves the community take a minute to look around and observe the changes around you.  See the smile on a child's face.  Feel the difference that you made.

That is what it means to be a leader.  That is what it means to be a YACer.

Lea's Travel Log

It’s really encouraging to see the youth of Arkansas stepping up to make a difference in the lives of youth. I’m always excited when I get to leave my office to travel to YAC meetings. As if driving wasn’t fun enough, it’s even more exciting when you set out with a purpose and motivation!

Last Thursday, Catherine and I were invited to attend the Carroll County YAC meeting during the Carroll County Donor Reception (along with staying in a creepy hotel in downtown Eureka- my kind of fun!). First of all, the YAC meeting really opened our eyes to the kind of students that YAC attracts: (a) fantastic people; (b) committed and involved young adults. Two fist-pumps for you Carroll County YACers! You guys are inspiring with your time-management and never-ending energy. Second of all, the reception was a blast. We got to hang out with some really cool adults from Berryville and Eureka Springs, who all had a spot in their heart for Philanthropy.

Catherine and I just recently visited Columbia County, where we listened to YACers in Magnolia talk about some of the issues their youth face. After a long “round-table” discussion, it was obvious everyone was tuckered out from the heavy topics and seemingly impossible solutions. For all of you reading, and for those we’ve already told, even a small step can make a difference. It may not 100% cure your community of its ailment, but it definitely can make a difference.

Can’t wait to see where I’ll be going next! You never know... I may have a prize up my sleeve for the next YAC I visit.... YAC@arcf.org – I’ll always accept invites! 

Until then.... 

Lea

5 qualities of a good "team player"

Wanna be a great team player and YAC member?  Read these qualities and find out how to become a more effective member of your YAC!  


Good YAC members are:


1.  Communicators:
     YAC members should share their thoughts and ideas by being open-minded and respectful.  They should not be condescending.  Everyone has different opinions that should be heard!  Listen to each other and find the most effective solution to the problems in your community as a team.   


2.  Committed:
     The relationship you have to your YAC should be a committed one.  Think of your YAC group as a machine with many different parts:  all of these parts are very valuable and have a distinct purpose.  If one of these parts is missing, how is the machine supposed to run effectively?  If you miss YAC meetings, the group will not be effective.  Stay committed and open your schedule to the great things YAC has to offer!


3.  Active:
     YAC members should take an active and engaged role in their YAC group.  Whether or not you are an officer, you should always participate in discussions and activities so you can get your voice out there and so others can hear a different perspective.  Think of it this way:  the more you get involved the more fun you will have!
      
4.  Responsible:
     Responsibility is key when becoming a YAC member.  You represent the community and you have funds to give out to people in need.  If you aren't responsible with the position you are in as a YACer, how do you expect wonderful things to happen in your community?!  Be conscientious in your decision making as a group and make sure you are spending the money and time you have in positive ways.


5.  Positive:
     There is nothing worse than a wet blanket (i.e. a negative person who is determined not to have a good time) in a group.  Don't be that person!  You have the power to choose how you act towards others and how different things affect you.  So leave the attitude at the door and be a team player!  If you stay positive no one will even be able to accuse you of being a damp washcloth.