Generation Y: Why Not?

1. Generation Y: Why Not? Effective Youth and Adult Partnerships

2. What are today’s teens known as? Gen.com Generation Y A: B: Echo Boomers All of the above C: D:

3. Answer: D All of the above

4. Approximately how many youth make up Generation Y? 40 million 50 million A: B: 60 million 70 million C: D:

5. Answer: C 60 million

6. Which celebrity is married to Jessica Simpson? Nick Carter Mark Wahlberg A: B: Nick Lachey Ashton Kutcher C: D:

7. Answer: C Nick Lachey

8. Over the next decade, what percent of the U.S. population will Generation Y comprise? 36% 41% A: B: 52% 64% C: D:

9. Answer: B 41%

10. Which of the following is FALSE? Three-fourths of teens believe money buys happiness One in three teens is not Caucasian A: B: One in four teens live in a single-parent household Latino teens will outnumber African Americans C: D:

11. Answer: A ¾ disagree with the statement that money buys happiness

12. What percent of Generation Y voted in the 2000 presidential election? 42% 51% A: B: 66% 71% C: D:

13. Answer: D 71%

14. What percent of Gen Y believes that a woman is likely to be President of the United States? 46% 55% A: B: 68% 71% C: D:

15. Answer: D 71%

16. Who is the host of MTV’s show, Punk’d? Ashton Kutcher Eminem A: B: Justin Timberlake Usher C: D:

17. Answer: A Ashton Kutcher

18. Youth Involvement “Findings…reveal a portrait of a generation not searching to distance itself from the community, but instead actively looking for new and distinctive ways to connect to the people and issues surrounding them” – Peter D. Hart Research Associates

19. Understanding Gen Y • September 11 • The “war on terror” • School shootings • War in Kosovo • The sniper shootings • Princess Di’s death • The Clinton • impeachment trial • O.J. Simpson trial • Rodney King riots • Lewinsky scandal • Fall of Berlin Wall • McGwire-Sosa homer • derby • The extreme bear and • bull stock markets • Iraq • Reality TV

20. Youth provide insight into the teen audience Youth are credible influencers – teachers, mentors, role models to their peers Youth-to-youth is most effective way to communicate our message Youth bring energy and enthusiasm Youth can infiltrate youth culture Programs are youth-focused It’s mandated – we have to involve youth Why do we need youth involvement?

21. Challenges Faced Working With Youth • Not always reliable • Do not always fulfill commitments • Sometimes don’t deliver a complete effort • Don’t always recognize our point of view • Reluctant to accept our direction, • guidance • Sometimes show lack of caring • Difficult to reach, communicate with

22. Motivation Getting youth involved in your organization or program Capacity Giving youth tools and skills to take action Opportunity Showing youth how to apply their skills to real life situations Building Partnerships

23. While 93% of youth who were asked to volunteer, volunteered, only 24% will volunteer, if they are not asked. - Independent Sector Motivation

24. Awareness of issue and impact Recognition of social responsibility Recognition of their value to the issue/cause Understanding of the importance of their contributions Belief in the possibility of change Motivation – Motivational Philosophy

25. Work with youth to decide the best places and events for youth recruitment Involve youth in the recruitment process – encourage them to talk to their friends Give youth roles – include “sign-ups”so youth can choose what they want to do Reach out to other local organizations to find potential youth Coordinate youth presence at local youth events – a youth “sales force” Motivation – Recruitment Tips

26. Start small – provide easy opportunities with actionable ideas Communicate often Develop a personal rapport with youth Understand individual’s needs Incorporate team-building activities Allow time for social interaction Motivation – Engagement Methods

27. Set clear expectations of youths’ roles and responsibilities Create tasks that youth can own and be responsible for Follow up with youth to tell them how they’re doing on the project or task Give meaningful feedback Hold career development and issue training sessions Motivation – Investing Tips

28. “Youth organizers must constantly meet young people where they are (literally and figuratively) in their personal development process and ensure that they achieve meaningful improvements in their own lives as well as within the community.” – Lisa Sullivan,adult/youth partnerships expert Capacity

29. Personal & organizational development Programmatic skills development Train on the issue, train to recruit, etc. Advanced skills Train on public speaking, media, policy, speaking to legislators, writing grants, etc. Capacity –Training Types

30. Anticipate youths’ needs and be prepared to offer assistance Follow up with youth as they work on a project Offer guidance without stepping on their toes Establish, communicate, and police program parameters – help youth see how they can affect the program Capacity –Providing Support

31. Set expectations Trust them – allow youth to lead more Make time to work with them – even if you’d do it better/faster yourself Be mentors, coaches and teachers Make some organizational changes to empower youth and give them ownership Recognize and reward Recognition is free! Reward can cost! Capacity – Appreciation

32. Celebrate individual and group success as a group Reserve a space to spotlight youth Send notes to appropriate “supporters” Give those youth the best “jobs” Include stories in communication pieces Invite as guest to events Provide letters of recommendation Recognition IdeasReward Ideas • Award pins, certificates, • plaques • Gift certificates • Movie passes • Event/concert tickets • Take out to lunch • Sponsor youth to attend • conferences and trainings • Send out thank-you cards • CDs & DVDs

33. “Young people do not want to play games. They respond to community programs that encourage them to take on responsibilities and to develop skills” – Princeton Survey Research Associates Opportunity

34. Top areas for youth feedback Event locations (rallies, recruitment, activism) Gear & brands Website content development Communications (website, e-mail) Marketing/promotional items Messages to peers Anything pop culture (TV, movies, music, etc.) Opportunity – Advise

35. Identify needs Involve youth in planning process Create “job descriptions” for youth to answer Outline tasks Create tasks at every youth level Match tasks with youths’ skills Take the list to youth to self-select desired tasks Make assignments Allow youth to self-select when possible Incorporate open assignments into communications Opportunity – Plan

36. Coordinate the project Incorporate your youth motivational philosophy Monitor project development Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up Track youth’s progress Remind youth of their commitments – hold them to deadlines Evaluate and measure youth efforts Involve them in the process and look to the future Show appreciation Recognize and reward a job well done Opportunity – Implement

37. Communicate with youth often Use e-mail, voicemail, phone, website, message boards, meetings, etc. Involve everyone Do not rely on the same youth all the time Involve youth of all backgrounds, skills and interests Curb youth entitlement At the beginning, set expectations for what youth can expect from you and what you will expect from them Listen, incorporate and thank Keys to Effective Management