Do's and Don'ts

DOs

Learn as much as you can about PYD. Staff development and ongoing conversation is essential to make sure that all staff are on the same page

Be open to learning new PYD strategies and techniques

Treat all youth with respect, even the ones with purple hair and 3 nose rings

Let youth know you want them at the table by actively listening to concerns and suggestion of youth

Empower young people by giving them real decision-making power and meaningful work

Include youth in all phases of the project or activity (planning, doing, presenting, evaluating)

DON'Ts

Act on stereotypes that our society has about youth

Be closed minded

Be overly controlling

Tokenize youth...it is important for youth to have real and meaningful roles

Ask the same one youth to participate in all the leadership roles

Think leadership looks the same for all young people