Rotary District 9510Membership HubLegendary Clubs PackageM-T1-YS-05

M-T1-YS-05 · Detailed guide · Theme 1

Youth Civic Leadership Forum

Lets young people question decision-makers and shape a bounded local action agenda, with adults accountable for responding rather than merely listening ceremonially.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry
M-T1-YS-05 · Youth Civic Leadership Forum
Theme
Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme YS: Youth & Schools
Source material
Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry
M-T1-YS-05 · Youth Civic Leadership Forum

Why a club might use this

Local decisions gain youth evidence and participants see where influence is real, limited or still contested.

Use it when

  • Young people aged approximately 15–25, local government, community organisations and educators. Use when a civic issue has a clear local decision pathway.

Before the club starts

  • Youth co-design group, facilitator and documented scope of influence.
  • Accessible venue, transport support and safe online participation option.
  • Consent, photography, recording and anonymous-question settings agreed before promotion.

Capacity guide

Likely cost
$$ — accessible venue, transport, catering and youth co-design support.
Lead time
10–12 weeks.
People
6–8 members plus youth co-designers, facilitator and safeguarding contact.

How to put it into practice

Detailed implementation steps for Youth Civic Leadership Forum
StepActionSuggested owner
1Recruit a diverse youth reference group and pay or recognise substantial co-design work.Forum producer
2Translate the issue into neutral briefing material and test it for readability.Research lead
3Brief adult speakers on response standards, power dynamics and prohibited campaigning.Independent facilitator
4Run small-group deliberation, anonymous questions and a public commitment round.Facilitation team
5Publish a de-identified outcomes note with named adult owners and dates.Accountability lead

Controls and safeguards

  • No party-political endorsement, candidate campaigning or coercive recruitment.
  • Do not identify a young person in sensitive commentary without express informed consent.
  • HIGH — power imbalance, political neutrality, privacy and possible disclosures demand independent facilitation and explicit escalation routes.

What to measure

  • Participant diversity against the intended community.

Follow-up: Send participants the outcomes note within five working days and issue a 30/60/90-day public progress update through the agreed channel.

Related playbook entries

  • M-T1-YS-15
  • M-T1-YS-20
  • M-T1-AN-10

Before your club says yes

Does the idea fit?

Talk with the people it is meant to serve and check that the need is real.

Who can say yes?

Name the person or group that can approve the work, spending and any safety arrangements.

Are people protected?

Check privacy, consent and safety. Collect only the information you genuinely need.

Can everyone take part?

Check the language, format, place, technology and cost for barriers.

Are the facts and permissions right?

Check names, claims, images, quotations, partner references and Rotary branding.

How will we learn?

Note where things stand now, check in at 30, 60 and 90 days, and decide what to do next.