How Youth Can Initiate Change
Here’s a story about how youth can initiate change in the centre.
A few weeks ago, one of the teens asked if we can buy materials for projects. I said we had the money for supplies and to just ask and we can talk. At the next community meeting, he asked again if he can request items and how much do we have for materials - I sensed he felt uncomfortable asking how much could he spend. After clarifying needs at the next Weekly Community Meeting I brought the monthly budget amount we had and offered to release the materials budget responsibility to the youth. After much discussion on what exactly a Treasurer is, the group decided to dedicate three youth as Treasurers responsible for tracking the money, bringing supply requests to the community meeting for discussion and managing the board where people can see the remaining money for the month/year. They are also responsible for tracking receipts and where the money goes in a way that they can share with the group.
One youth who volunteered to be a Treasurer added that it’s essential to be frugal and be flexible with name brands so that money can be stretched.
From that sprang the idea that the first purchase would be a money box with a key to add extra coins as the month goes on for additional funds for fun things. If you find a nickel or loonie, drop it in the box!
They decided that there should be a budget for food and snacks or fo snacks to only be bought in the first two weeks to manage the money better. Once the snacks run out, you have to wait for the next month.
They’ve agreed that purchase requests need to be discussed at the Tuesday Community Meeting; however, the group decided that the Treasurers can call an “Emergency Treasury Meeting” for purchases under $15.
The three Treasurers have decided to meet once a week for a Treasurer meeting to prepare for the Weekly Community Meeting and have asked that I take notes for those meetings.
As the adult in the space, how did I contribute to this discussion? I listened and took notes for them, clarifying their visions to reflect on what they as a group agreed to. There wasn’t more I needed to add. The beauty of all this is that it’s learning and as the months move on there will be reflection and revamping ideas that felt really thought out but aren’t quite working. They’ll do exactly what adults do – action, reflection, pivot, continue. The group is thoughtful and well-rounded with their thinking - I have full trust they’ve got this.