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A Note from the National Youth Council Chair
Wow! After over a year of hard work, the National Youth Council is proud to present an interactive toolkit designed to assist Red Cross units involve young people.
In fall 2005 when I was just beginning my term as chair, the National Youth Council invited three chapter CEOs to attend our meeting in Washington, DC. For an entire day members quizzed these CEOs about what it would take to help Red Cross units involve youth and young adults as volunteers and donors. The day of discussion resulted in a great idea: an informative, interactive DVD and booklet–a toolkit to help units build service delivery, fundraising and diversity by involving young people.
The project committee working on the toolkit began a long planning process: council members met with staff members in the Communication and Marketing department at national headquarters developed a long document containing all the information and animation members wanted to see in the DVD and booklet, and advised an outside firm about the look and feel of the toolkit. The Council took the idea to chapter leaders to get their feedback, and at the 2006 National Convention, council members started a buzz campaign to get units excited about the toolkit.
Now, after more than a year of hard work, the National Youth Council premiered the toolkit for interim president and CEO Jack McGuire and other organization leaders in Washington, DC in October. The product was presented and demonstrated at the Volunteer Administration Institute in January, and the Council is thrilled that the toolkit is being mailed to chapters, Blood Services regions and AFES stations across the country this month.
In the course of planning the Council realized that our biggest obstacle wouldn't be creating the toolkit, it would be getting people to use it. With that in mind, members of the council created a new program called 'Adopt a Chapter' where National Youth Council members can adopt local Red Cross units and help them use the toolkit to start or enhance youth involvement on the local level. Every unit is eligible to apply to be adopted by a National Youth Council member.
The toolkit is truly impressive: it is informative and interactive. The DVD and Web site feature Flash technology and many video clips and resources in sections for units at all stages of youth involvement, including valuable information on starting, maintaining and maximizing youth programs. The accompanying booklet gives an overview of the information and includes several tip sheets on different aspects of youth and young adult involvement.
It utilizes perspectives from Red Cross unit leadership to show the value of involving young people. Its key message is that engaging youth and young adults is not just another program–it's a great way to build a unit's capacity and outreach to the community.
Finally, I hope you will take advantage of the know-how and technology that went into the toolkit and the expertise National Youth Council members have to offer. Council members are so excited to offer this toolkit to help units engage a new generation of volunteers and donors. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Sandy Tesch
Chair
National Youth Council
TeschS@usa.redcross.org
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