Youth Roundtable
Southern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ
Information and Nomination Process: 2010-2011
What is the Youth Roundtable?
The Youth Roundtable (YRT) is the youth leadership organization of the Conference. It is comprised of youth (grades 9-12) and adults (should be age 25 and up) who represent the Associations and the various recognized special ministries. The YRT plans a variety of events and the participants have the opportunity to develop and use their leadership abilities.
Who may be nominated?
To be a member of the Youth Roundtable, you must belong to a local UCC church in the Conference. Youth who are not yet members of a local church may be nominated as long as they are recognized as affiliated with a local UCC church and are involved in the membership process for that local UCC church (for example, in Confirmation Class). Adults must be a member of a local UCC church. There are two age categories on the YRT: youth (grades 9-12) and adults (should be age 25 and older). The positions to be filled include 3 youth delegate positions and 2 adults for each association. At-Large positions are created as needed to enable the YRT to be truly representative of the diversity present in our Conference as well as staffing the needs of the YRT to provide the youth leadership of the conference.
What kind of commitment is required?
The term is one year, beginning at the Conference Youth Ministries Camp (CYMC) in July or August (after the election at Annual Gathering) until the next CYMC camp the following year. Youth Roundtable members are asked to place the YRT among their top priorities. Members are expected to attend all meetings and the events planned by YRT. There are four meetings each year: one in September, one before Christmas, one in March, and one in May. The regular meetings usually include an overnight stay (Saturday to Sunday). The first meeting is usually held at Pilgrim Pines Camp and the other three meetings are held in local UCC churches throughout the Conference. The events of the Youth Roundtable are Funtastic Festi-Fall (October/November), Feb Camp (President’s holiday weekend), Youth Uniting in Mission (March/April), Annual Gathering (June), and CYMC (late July-early August). Members work together to plan the events and take on the various tasks of the YRT. Most of the work takes place during the regular meetings, but occasionally there are conference calls or special meetings to attend. In addition, some YRT members provide leadership at Jr. High JANboree (MLK Jr. holiday weekend), Annual Gathering Planning Committee, and often have the opportunity to serve in other ways in the life of the conference.
Please note that Missing more than one meeting and missing more than one YRT sponsored events in a Youth Roundtable year is cause for dismissal from Youth Roundtable and may also exclude you from consideration for the next year’s Youth Roundtable.
Two years (two consecutive one year terms) is the preferable duration for participating in Youth Roundtable as a youth (but a youth may serve up to four consecutive years). Youth Roundtable guidelines state that an adult can serve up to four consecutive years and then can be nominated again after one year of non participation.
What kind of support do Youth Roundtable Members need?
Youth Roundtable members need the prayerful support of their parents and local church to help keep calendars cleared and to coordinate transportation to help get members to meetings. A roster is provided, so that members may carpool with other YRT youth and adults from their area. In special cases, train, airline, or bus transportation is provided. In addition, for some YRT members, specifically those who have an extremely long commute, may be able to participate in meetings via teleconferencing or Internet Web Conferencing. While YRT members may be asked to bring a snack to share, in general meals, lodging, and other expenses related to the YRT are covered through the Conference budget (which is supported by your OCWM gifts as well as Strengthen The Church).
Who is considered an eligible candidate for Youth Roundtable?
To be considered an eligible candidate for Youth Roundtable, a nominee must have attended at least one of the Youth Roundtable sponsored youth events in the last year. Their nomination form must be completely filled out and must be in the Conference Office by the deadline or postmarked by the nomination deadline. Their two reference forms must be in the Conference Office no later than 7 days after the nomination deadline. Finally, nominees must be active in their local church (in church school or youth group or church committee or choir etc.). The deadline for this year is April 30, 2010.
What if all youth delegate positions in my Association are currently filled?
If you will be in 10th or 11th grade next year and meet the guidelines to be an eligible candidate (see #5 above), you may be given a priority for participation if the following situation occurs in your Association:
It appears that there will be no open delegate positions open next year because there are currently no youth delegate positions open, none of the currently serving youth are in the 12th grade, and at least one of the currently serving youth is in their second consecutive term.
Thus if you are a new youth nominee who will be entering 10th or 11th grade, and you are an eligible candidate, and the above situation occurs, a youth currently serving in their second year may be asked to step aside from the delegate position to open up a delegate position for the next year. This guideline allows new, eligible candidates the opportunity to serve when there are more people interested in serving than there are delegate positions available.
In this situation, incoming 9th graders and those who will be entering 12th grade will not get priority. An incoming 9th grader has the opportunity to apply again in the future and still serve two consecutive terms. Someone who will be in 12th grade would not be able to serve a second year because of their graduation and it is preferable when youth can serve two consecutive terms.
*If there is one or more youth delegate positions currently open or there will be at least one youth delegate position opening up, all eligible candidates will be considered.*
What is the nomination timeline process?
A nominating committee will review the applications and notify applicants of their decision by May 15th, 2010. Then those who are chosen and nominated will be asked to attend the Annual Gathering, June 11 -12 in Santa Ana. During the Annual Gathering, the nominees will be recognized and installed.
Nomination Timeline:
- Forms must be postmarked by April 30th, 2010.
- Applicants notified May 15th, 2010.
- Chosen nominees attend Annual Gathering June 11-12 in Santa Ana
- Who do I contact for more information?
Questions may be directed to:
Neal Washburn
626/798-8082, Fax: 626/798-6648, E-mail: washburn@scncucc.org
If you need forms, please contact Virginia Arroyo in the Conference Office:
Phone: 626/798-8082, Fax: 626/798-6648, or download them from:
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