Global Youth Service Day

Public Officials' Guide to GYSD

Submitted by gysd on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 00:37

 


 

Participate in and/or speak at a GYSD project. Encourage your staff to participate as well.

Find a project on the GYSD Map or outreachatysa [dot] org (subject: Public%20Official%20Participation%20on%20GYSD) (contact YSA staff).

For example:

  • Nashville Mayor Karl Dean participated in projects around the city on GYSD.
  • Former President Bill Clinton keynoted a GYSD event at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock.
  • U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spoke at a GYSD celebration event at the Mall of America.

Issue a proclamation or resolution recognizing GYSD.

Download sample proclamation/resolution language.

For example:

  • In 2011, 23 U.S. governors issued proclamations recognizing Global Youth Service Day.
  • In 2011, 28 Members of Congress co-sponsored a resolution honoring Global Youth Service Day.
  • Mayors and city councils also issued proclamations and resolutions. (In Duluth, MN Mayor Don Ness read his proclamation at the official GYSD kick-off event.)

Support GYSD projects by facilitating partnerships between project organizers and your government, your staff, or others in the community.

For example:

  • Local government officials have supported GYSD projects by helping to secure free city bus passes for youth to get to volunteer projects on GYSD, working with the sanitation department to pick up trash collected during clean-up projects, and waiving fees for space or police time for large GYSD events.
  • Allow your staff to spend some of their work time supporting GYSD projects and/or serving on a GYSD planning committee. Consider those in your government who may already be working with volunteers.
  • Public officials can introduce project organizers to other potential partners and supporters, including other government officials, local community leaders, or business leaders (potential sponsors).

Do you want to support youth service beyond GYSD? A few ideas:

Join the Cities of Service coalition, and develop a citywide service plan that includes youth service. Launch a Service as a Strategy initiative on GYSD.

Form a youth council to engage youth in government. Download "Building Effective Youth Councils: A Practical Guide to Engaging Youth in Policy Making."

Engage youth during your next campaign as part of YSA's ServiceVote program.