PROs:
Prinicple Resource Officers
I. Staff Information.
A. MISSION: The Youth Advisory Council for ________________ is named PROs (Principle Resource Officers). It is a group of young adults representing the members of our _______________________ program. They are challenged to create a positive role model in their community, assess local young adults needs, review programs and plans, and advise the management team on these issues.
B. TEAM MEMBER POSITIONS:
Director - leads the group
Assistant Director - is the back up/vice chairperson
Administrator - takes notes, maintains contact database
Public Relations - coordinates obtaining community information, resources
Research and Planning - heads up the planning stages of projects
Chief Monitor - ensures group stays on track, accomplishes deadlines, maintains direction
C. KEY PROJECTS:
· Provides peer meditation
· Reviews workforce programs
· Identifies and collects community resources
· Develops leadership skills
· Volunteers as well as engages youth in volunteer projects in the _______________ area
· Representing __________ at job fairs, community events and Executive Board meetings
D. ADVISOR: We will consider the following qualities when recruiting an advisor from our staff:
• An understanding of and eagerness to work with young people
• Willing to make a one-year commitment • Effective necessary communication skills
• Open to learn about various topics
• The ability to encourage and motivate others
• Provide oversight of the PROs
• Help to develop leadership skills in the members
E. Launching and Recruiting Process
| 1) Scope, mission, responsibilities approved by Project Leader. |
| 2) Training time during a _______________ staffing will be utilized to provide information and discussion of PROs. |
| 3) Career Specialists/Case Managers review material and begin making a listing of possible candidates to include in the application process. |
| 4) Members are given the application package which includes the overview, guidelines, requirements and mission of the team. A strict deadline is given for completion. |
| 5) Application form inquires about school and community activities, community service history, leadership positions held, and why they would like to serve on PROs. Actual experience may be substituted for participant's interest and dedication to participate. We will not void applicants due to no experience; this is a learning, life skill opportunity. |
| 6) Applications are reviewed by the _________________advisor and another staff designee to determine appropriateness to serve on PROs. |
| 7) If required, individual interviews will be arranged to provide clarification of who will be selected for the council. |
| 8) Approved candidates are contacted by phone, email and letter to announce the selection decision and to schedule the first meeting. |
| 9) Our goal is for PRO to have 12-15 members, committing to serving one year. |
| 10) Although no demographic quotas are made, the membership should represent the population we serve. Some suggestions may be made to affirm a good diversity mix by management. |
| 11) Once the core membership is established, they will determine how many more applicants to consider, since young adults recruiting young adults is the best possible recruitment strategy. A subcommittee will be selected to help the team and __________ staff complete recruitment of the goal of more members. |
| 12) During the interview, the service narrative covering the responsibilities of a PROs member is discussed. The new members will sign to acknowledge they understand and agree with these responsibilities. During the interview, the interviewer may share this contract to reinforce the duties of members. |
| 13) For youth under the age of 18, as part of the recruitment process, PROs will provide a fact sheet with information on the team for interested young adults to share with their parents. Before an invitation to serve is issued, it is important to know that the youth’s parent understands and supports this involvement. It is recommended for the advisor to send a formal letter to the youth and his/her family confirming the invitation as well as to invite the parents to attend an orientation about PROs to learn what their son/daughter will be doing during the upcoming year. This letter can include a schedule of future meetings. |
| 14) All the council will have an input and voting privileges. "Majority rules" will be followed. A basic training of highlights of Robert's Rules of Order will be included. The Advisor may strategically steer and offer motivational reasoning to ensure mission objectives are accomplished. |
F. Structuring of PROs
A. A balance between organization and independence is the key to sustaining membership.
B. Establish a regular monthly meeting date and location and adhere to it. As part of the calendar, identify key activities that will be the focus of the meetings.
C. At the second meeting, elect officers for the year. The key officers are a Director, Assistant Director, Administrator, Public Relations, Research and Planning and Chief Monitor. Back up positions for each will be selected as needed.
D. Set aside time at each meeting for training on key issues, starting with how to run a meeting and build an accord in decision making, and effective listening to make sure all voices are heard. PROs will only vote on a motion when there is agreement by all that it is the right action to take.
E. Consider having a half day retreat in that can serve as the orientation for new members as well as a refresher for members coming back – include several team building activities.
F. Depending on the size, encourage members to consider developing committees for basic activities, such as a nominating committee to help recruit new members; a needs assessment committee; and group presentations.
G. Active members may receive PROs polo shirt for use during public presentations.
H. Appropriate documentation of member’s participation will be noted in official records. This project is a part the WIA Element 6.
G. Projects and tasks to Include but are not limited to:
Peer meditation
Promoting developmental assets
Leadership skills
Developing effective communication skills
Conflict resolution
Volunteering
Mentoring
Assess what ________________ does and how can we perform better?
Review _________________ materials that are distributed to young adults
Recruit appropriate young adults for ________________________ program
Promote other community young adults service events
Review, select and recognize a "young adults of the quarter"
Promote character and values initiatives
Monitoring official social websites for ________________
Community clean-up projects
Note: PROs will support effective community partnerships, but will not be used for solicitation, enlistment, distribution or engagement in activities or organizations that restrict due to religion, prejudice, political or culturally sensitive agendas.