Volunteer for NCYLS!

Volunteering with NCYLS is a truly rewarding experience. Interacting with such extraordinary students brings hope that the next generation really is the hope of the future and that we are in good hands with the leaders of tomorrow.

As a volunteer, you are not only giving your time and energy, you are inspiring youth to do the same in their communities. What you give, you receive tenfold.

Opportunities to volunteer:

The planning committee for the seminar has kicked of the planning year and is off to a great start with fundraising, program design, and recruitment. Click here for the list of all regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year.

Mark Sandner is taking the helm again as Seminar Chair to recreate another spectacular seminar for 2009. Bay Saavedra is his right hand man as Seminar Vice-Chair and they have put together an outstanding team of individuals to help bring another "Outstanding" seminar to the sophomores of 2009. Join the team and help create a life changing experience for a young leader.

Contact us for more information or to volunteer!

Information about Committee volunteer opportunities:

Seminar Chair
Fundraising Team
Program Director
Recruitment Team
Staff Director
Team Leader
Board of Directors

Seminar Chair
The Seminar Chair is the equivalent to an Executive Director and oversees all other directorial and sub-committee positions. The Seminar Chair works closely with the Board to coordinate fundraising, recruitment, staffing and program curriculum. The Seminar Chair will preside over committee planning meetings and meet regularly with any sub-committees to ensure that each aspect of the seminar is carried out.

Fundraising Team
The Fundraising Team oversees the budget and expenditures for the seminar, working closely with the Board Treasurer and service organization liaisons. Their goals are to increase funding opportunities and fundraising activities as well as increase gift-in-kind, individual, service organization and special event contributions. They will also work with the committee members to incorporate feedback on fundraising and ensure donations meet projections.

Program Director
The Program Director will develop a program that incorporates the key skills of leadership with a focus on volunteerism. They will develop the curriculum for the weekend, selecting relevant topics and will help secure a diverse group of speakers for each topic. Other duties of the Program team include the following:

• Provide material to speakers to set expectations of time to speak, topic and audience.
• Work with the J-Crew Operations Team to greet speakers and set timeline expectations for the seminar and provide appropriate panel presentation guidelines for the students as well as "Thank You" gifts for the students to present to the speakers.
• Establish and keep a timely schedule during the seminar.
• Produce and manage the printed program booklet by coordinating with other committee directors to obtain accurate information for participants, staff and sponsorship recognition.

Recruitment Team
Recruitment Team ensures the goals set by the committee are met to the best of their ability. To achieve this, they will:

• Coordinate with school counselors to ensure the participation of schools that have been represented in the past by following up the postal mail communication with phone calls, emails, faxes, etc.
• Increase involvement of previously non-participating schools
• Increase diversity of seminar by emphasizing recruitment in concentrated urban areas.
• Provide support and extra materials to those counselors, principals and organizations who request it.
• Involve junior staff (J-Crew) and Alumni in recruitment to ensure that schools participate again.
• Acknowledge nomination of students with school counselors and coordinate the production and delivery of nomination confirmation and registration materials to selected students
• Maintain history of interactions with schools.
• Assist with web site and online registration to the level of existing experience.

Staff Director
The Staff Directors will recruit and manage volunteers for Team Leader and J-Crew positions (see below). Their duties include the following:

• Secure all TL's and alternates two months prior to the seminar.
• Establish and present training sessions at least one month prior to the seminar.
• Establish group teams and coordinate with Facilities director to establish rooming rosters.
• Obtain biography, liability information, and written agreement between NCYLS and TL from each TL and J-Crew
• Manage all activities, feedback and issues before and during the seminar including a final briefing session Thursday night before the seminar.
• Responsible for distributing and collecting any seminar surveys or other paperwork to the Program team or the Seminar Chair.

Team Leader
There are currently 15 openings for Team Leaders. A Team Leader is responsible for 10 to 12 students during the entire duration of the weekend, except during sleep hours. A Team Leader's role is very important. During group discussions a TL facilitates conversation to help students explore their ideas, encouraging all to participate and ensuring that everyone's voice and opinions are heard. A Team Leader employs their listening skills and acts as a moderator, rather than a participant in group discussion.

TL participants must be 21. All amenities are taken care of and TL's are expected to be on site for the duration of the seminar, including Thursday night before students arrive.

Board of Directors
We are always looking for dedicated board members to complement our current roster. Board members meet quarterly with elections held within 60 days after the seminar. Please see our by-laws for more information.