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Advisors Information

Overview

The most important element of Youth & Government is the Advisor. The success of the program is dependent on how well prepared an advisor is for his/her role. It is the advisor who has the daily relationship with the youth that is needed if Youth & Government is to achieve the stated goals, objectives and purposes. As a YIG Advisor, you will embark on a series of adventures that you may have never imagined, with people you never thought you’d meet, in places you’d never though you’d go. And when you’re done, you’ll have memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

 

What are the essential qualities of an advisor?

  • Organized

  • Motivated to work with teens

  • Understanding

  • Flexible

  • Ability to enforce rules

  • Be willing to laugh at yourself  

  • Values-oriented (especially the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility)

 

Prerequisites of Advisors

  • Be at least 21 years of age (unless written request for waiver has been submitted and approved by the Executive Director of the YMCA Youth & Government Program).

  • Be removed from being a Youth & Government delegate for at least one year.

  • Be a mature, dependable and responsible individual.

  • Relate well to and enjoy working with high school age youth.

  • Have group facilitation experience or be willing to receive training in this area.

  • Be a positive role model to delegates and an effective representative of the program.

  • Be organized, attentive to detail, and have good follow through skills.

 

Responsibilities

A YMCA Youth & Government Advisor's job includes recruiting, training, and supervising high school youth to form a delegation.

  • Receive, read and understand all program bulletins and assure all deadlines are met.

  • Ensure that the YIG program and local YMCA policies are adhered to at all times.

  • Ensure that the YIG Code of Conduct is understood and agreed to by all delegates and parents. In accepting this position each advisor also commits to this code.

  • Develop a schedule and meetings to plan special events/fundraiser's, and to prepare delegates for their roles in Augusta. 

  • Work with delegates to develop a process for bill development and selection. Ensure that appropriate bill formats are followed.

  • Host a Training Session for their delegation online.

  • Oversee club meetings and provides supervision at club activities.

  • Encourage students to take responsibility.

  • Communicate regularly with club members and parents.

  • Act as liaison with the State YMCA of Maine Youth in Government Program Director and staff, and conveys problems, questions and/or concerns as may be necessary

  • Actively participates in or facilitates training activities on local level

  • Promote the understanding and enforcement of the Code of Conduct.

  • Leads a group of teen participants in experiences related to leadership training, citizenship, and participation in government

  • At each conference conduct delegation meetings. Assure that each delegate attends scheduled sessions.

  • Attend all advisor meetings and assist with general conference duties

  • Actively support the YIG program goals and objectives.

 

Behavior Supervisor

  • Preparing delegation on what to expect from the YMCA Youth In Government experience.

  • Helping the delegation to set standards of appropriate behavior so that they assume ownership of the standards.

  • Dealing with behavior problems within the delegation and rectifying them.

  • Accepting personal and delegation adherence to the Code of Conduct.

 

Administration Mechanics

  • Get your delegation registered online
  • Get your delegation bills submitted online

  • Get logged in for Training Session .

  • Travel plans to and from the State Conference weekend.

 

Administration Finances

  • Insure that your delegation work out the program fees, and insure that they are submitted on time.

  • Start installment plan for submission of fees/dues.

 

Advisors Code of Ethics

  • Advisors will refrain from using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during program activities is prohibited.

  • Advisors shall not abuse teens in any way including:

  • verbal abuse - humiliate, degrade, threaten; and

  • sexual abuse - inappropriate touching or sexual innuendos

  • Advisors treat equally teens of all races, religions, cultures, sexual orientation and economic levels, with respect and consideration.

  • Advisors use positive techniques or guidance, including redirection, anticipation of and elimination of potential problems, positive reinforcement, and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, or criticism.

  • Advisors will abstain from humiliating or frightening techniques.

  • Advisors will not use profanity in the presence of teens or parents.

  • When working with teens, advisors must be free of conditions that might adversely affect another's health, including significant fever or contagious disease.

  • Advisors will portray a positive role model for teens by maintaining an attitude of respect, patience, courtesy, tact, and maturity.

 

Responsible To:

The person performing these services will be accountable to the Program Director of the Youth In Government Program.

It is the Policy of the Maine YMCA Youth In Government that in order to provide local Delegations with the best possible program and services,

 

 
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