View source for Youth outreach conversation

==What do youth need to succeed?==

* How do we maintain the ladder – how do we get into the high numbers?
* How to avoid first three rungs?
* Making decisions before doing something, with young people at the table
* Trust is important.
* Adults dismissive of youth abilities and what they can actually handle
* Trust in accepting youth ideas
* Adults be on board with what the youth are trying to do
* Being opened minded – adults have one way to do things, youth have another, reach a compromise
* Open to new ideas, even if it’s something you’ve done for a long time
* More adult allies not looking down upon us but actually helping us
* Be on the same level with your students
* Embracing errors and mistakes, don’t be afraid to be able to adapt even if you have a “plan”, maintain a positive atmosphere.
* Dealing with adversity when it arises – being mindful for your mindset  
* Taking risks could be a good thing and adults should be open to it
* Not generalizing youth people – not all young people are the same – one young person’s idea is not every young person’s idea
* Youth have to get just as much out of it as the adults do. Can’t just teach youth so that adults get the prestige 
* Level the playing field between boss and employee
* Youth aren’t adults yet – don’t handle stress well – adults shouldn’t put too much pressure because they’re not fully mature yet
* Youth need to be able to think positively about themselves. Realizing that you’re important too. 
* Older doesn’t mean wiser. Younger doesn’t mean dumber.
* Sharing ideas, space for that to happen.
* Finding out what young people want out of their communities 
* Constantly building leaders. 
* Recruiting a recruiter
* Using other youth to connect with other youth – don’t let adults figure what is cool, have youth figure it out
* Using social media to get out to youth - holding events that aren’t just work but a chance to have young people check it out. Opportunity to
* If you want to keep youth engaged, don’t assume you know how to keep youth engaged
* Don’t just study or watch youth – talk to youth 
* Don’t just use one youth for the source of your input – use a diverse group 
* People like different things 
* Adults don’t have clicks like kids do
* It’s hard to give real feedback unless anonymous
* If don’t feel uncomfortable by the feedback, it’s not 100% honest and open
* But don’t feel too much pressure to make EVERYONE completely happy with every decision
* Don’t look really desperate for youth
* Don’t be cheap on the food
* Not too close to when school gets out – it’s stressful
* No Friday meetings! Adults think “if I can handle this, they can”
* At the same time – adults are trying to teach us to be responsible
* Get a gauge on their other responsibilities and priorities
* Youth are dealing with so much – becoming an adult, school, etc. Be aware
* Youth are figuring out the world – help them out 
* Don’t need to be babysat – need hand holding on some big adult things (taxes, money, etc)
* Agreements – not rules – collaborate on making the agreements 
* Build teams – don’t pit youth against one another 
* Believe in your youth once they show you what they are capable of. 
* Connect and check in with youth, show that you really believe in them 
* Leaders teaching others to be leaders 
* Start a group text with all your youth (!) 
* Some people show their care and affection in different ways 
* Don’t people on the spot in front of all their peers  
* Be up front about boundaries