2015-2016 New Youth Member Application
Who is the Minnesota Youth Council (MYC): The MYC is a diverse network of four
youth-adult pairs from each of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts. Additionally, four
youth-adult pairs are selected to represent an at large district, for a total of 72 members.
The MYC is an initiative of the Minnesota Alliance with Youth, which works to ignite the
spark in all young people in Minnesota to become actively engaged, develop strong voices
and acquire skills needed for success in school, work, and life.
Mission: The Minnesota Youth Council is a collaboration of youth and adults working
together to empower and mobilize youth across the state to exercise their voices, opinions
and ideas and take action on youth issues.
Guiding Principles:
 We believe in the power and importance of all youth having a voice in their
community and state
 We value authentic relationships between youth, adults, organizations and
communities
 We support the involvement of youth people in meaningful and engaging work
focused on results
 We believe in providing skill development, including civic engagement and
organizing skills for youth
 We aim to ensure equitable access to opportunities for all youth in Minnesota
 We believe in connecting all young people with existing resources and opportunities
available to them
Committees: You can serve on one of the three committees below.
 Policy - This committee sets the MYC’s legislative agenda. Policy plans the
legislative meetings conducted at the capitol, researches what bills will be heard at
the MYC committee meetings, and officially supports a variety of advocacy groups
working to pass legislation in the state legislature.
 Philanthropy - This Committee builds grant partnership with various organizations
throughout Minnesota that address youth issues. Members on philanthropy spend
their year learning about and discussing issues and organizations that the council
should invest in. Past activities include creating a documentary in partnership with
Intermedia Arts focused on drug and alcohol use among youth in Minnesota and

management of a mini granting program for schools and communities across the
state.
Education - This Committee works closely with the Minnesota Department of
Education (MDE), forming the department's official Student Advisory
Committee. Committee members advise and share ideas with the commissioner
and MDE staff on the implementation of education norms and policies in
Minnesota. Committee members also work on the implementation of the Safe
Schools Act, creating school climate events at their schools.
Qualifications:
 Must be entering 8th-12th Grade
 Live in Minnesota
 Passionate about the issues effecting youth across the state
Expectations:
 Two year commitment
 Estimated 4 hour monthly time commitment (does not include retreats)
 Must be able to travel to the Metro area four times per year for overnight retreats
 Three absences per year allowed (includes meetings and retreats)
Responsibilities:
 Participate remotely (adobe connect) in monthly full council and committee
meetings
 Attend overnight retreats (coordinated transportation with adult partner)
 Fall Retreat: Saturday, September 12 – Monday, September 14, 2015
 Winter Retreat: Friday, January 29 – Saturday, January 30, 2016
 Spring Retreat: Friday, April 15 – Saturday, April 16, 2016
 End-of-Year Retreat: Friday, June 17 – Saturday, June 18, 2016
 Require to attend Youth Day at the Capitol (TBD March 2016)
 Read and respond to weekly update emails
 Work closely with adult partner to complete action plans developed by council and
committees
How to Apply:
1. Complete and submit New Youth Member Application Form.
2. Invite a caring adult in your life that you would like to be your adult partner to
complete and submit the New Adult Information Form. We strongly encourage that
you find an adult other than your parent or guardian to serve as your adult partner.
If you do not have an adult partner in mind, we will assist in matching you with one.
3. We will contact candidates to schedule phone interviews.
Mail, Fax, or Email Completed Application
Mail To:
Minnesota Youth Council
Attn: Shakur Ali
2233 University Ave #235
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Fax To:
(651)528-8588
Minnesota Youth Council
Attn: Shakur Ali
Email To:
Sali@mnyouth.net
Minnesota Youth Council
2015-2016 New Youth Member
Application Checklist
Applicant Name: ___________________________
Date Submitted: ______________
Completed Application Form
Completed Extra-Curricular Activities Log
Typed Short Answer Essay Questions
Typed Long Answer Essay Questions
Completed Reference Form
Parent/Guardian Information Letter
Applying with an Adult Partner (name): ____________________________
Minnesota Youth Council
2015-2016 New Youth Member
Parent/Guardian Information Letter
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Your son/daughter is applying to serve as a youth member on the 2015-2016 Minnesota
Youth Council (MYC). The MYC is a collaboration of youth and adults working together to
empower and mobilize youth across the state to exercise their voices, opinions and ideas
and take action on youth issues. The MYC uses a youth-adult partnership model, in which
your child can apply in conjunction with a caring adult in their life or can be matched with
an approved adult partner.
If your son/daughter is selected to serve on the MYC, he/she will agree to the Participant
Code of Conduct, which outlines the required meetings and time commitments. MYC
members are required to participate in two hours per month of remote meetings (i.e.
webinar, conference call, google hangouts). Additionally, members are required to attend
all retreats and events outlined in the initial calendar provided at the beginning of the
academic year. There are four in person retreats and/or meetings, typically located in the
metro area, which may require your child to miss an estimated three days of school. The
estimated time commitment is four hours per month, not including retreats and special
events. Only three absences per year are allowed, including meetings, retreats, and special
events.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email fwagner@mnyouth.net.
Sincerely,
Shakur Ali
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Minnesota Youth Council
Minnesota Youth Council
2015-2016 New Youth Member
Application Form
Full Name: (Last, First, Middle Initial)
Address:
State:
Birthday:
Apartment/Suite #:
Zip Code:
What is your first language?
Gender:
City:
Rank Your Committee Preference (1-3):
___ Policy
___ Education
___ Philanthropy
Adult Partner’s Full Name:
Relationship to You:
Phone:
Email:
Congressional District:
Go to website to determine
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/MN
Telephone (mobile):
Telephone (home):
___ District 1
___ District 2
___ District 3
___ District 4
___ District 5
___ District 6
___ District 7
___ District 8
Email address:
Additional Info:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
What Middle or High School will you be attending next year?
Parent/Guardian:
Telephone (mobile):
Telephone (home):
Address:
Email:
Parent/Guardian:
Telephone (mobile):
Telephone (home):
Address:
Email:
What grade will you be in next year?
Minnesota Youth Council
2015-2016 New Youth Member
Extra-Curricular Activities Log
Please list all the extra-curricular activities that you will be involved in the 2015-2016 year, the position you
hold, the number of years you participated in that activity and the hours per week spent doing that activity.
Extracurricular Activities:
Position:
Years
Active:
Hours
per
week:
Minnesota Youth Council
2015-2016 New Youth Member
Essay Questions
Please provide concise answers to the following questions. Your answers should show us your personality,
character, interests and ability to think creatively.
A. Short Answer Essay Questions: Responses should be 150-250 words.
1. Why do you want to serve as a member on the Minnesota Youth Council and how
would your service be unique to the Council?
2. What are the characteristics of a great leader and how do you exemplify those
qualities?
B. Choose ONE Long Essay Question: Response should be 400-500 words.
1. Please discuss one issue in Minnesota that you are passionate about and what
you would do on the MYC to take action on this issue?
Or
2. The Minnesota Youth Council is a mixed group of youth and adults from diverse
backgrounds and fields: How do you work in a team and in what ways do you bring
a unique perspective?
Minnesota Youth Council
2015-2016 New Youth Member
References
A reference is someone who knows you well and would write favorably of you. This person might be a
teacher, counselor, advisor and/or a coach. Reference should not be a family members or friends.
Please list two references:
Name:
Phone Number:
Email:
Relationship to You:
Name:
Phone Number:
Email:
Relationship to You: