What is a Youth Reference Group?

 

Innovation Youth Centre’s reference group aims to give young people aged 12-25 years the opportunity to provide input into the operations of the centre and discuss matters of importance to young people in the community. Reference group members have a vital role in helping the organization understand the needs of young people and assist us in making decisions about the programs and activities that we offer.

Having young people involved in our youth reference group, for our organisation sends a public message that we are serious and organised about the state of well-being of young people in a community. This is what is called 'civic participation which is a form of community activism that is concerned about local issues, like the issue of young people being able to be taken seriously as a group in a community that has their own set of needs and strengths. 

What typically happens in a YRG meeting?

We meet up in a space set up for us like a local public library or cafe. Then we start with sharing recent news about the progress of IYC. These things can be:

• If we have been receiving funding. 

• What grants do we apply for, such as if we decided to apply for a government grant of money?

• What programs do we have in plan?

• Ideas about a location of a youth centre hub and what it should look like.

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Then we ask your opinion about those things and what can be better improved on as an organisation. We later ask what ideas you have and we work on how to turn them into plans for the organisation.

We also let members know about events and activities that are happening with the local council or other youth-based organisations.

Sometimes we have guest speakers who are interested in the organisation and want to talk to young people about what they do. Usually, these people are community leaders who want to help give back to the community. With IYC, we represent a part of the community. 

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We also offer free snacks and gaming activities during the event. And it is generally a very social event where people get to meet up with friends and make new ones.

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This sounds like fun, how do I know I can join up?

You can join the Youth Reference Group if you fit the following criteria:
 

• You are between the ages of 12-25

• You live, study, or work in the council areas of Whittlesea, Darebin, Nillumbik, Hume, Banyule, & Moreland

 

And that's it! Other than those things, we don't discriminate on who can join the YRG. And being a member and attending meetings are free.

 

Are there any other things that come with being a YRG member?

 

Yes, there are. You get invited to a closed Facebook group so you can keep up with when the next meeting is upcoming and find out any news that happens in between meetings. We also live stream meetings in the group so if you can't make it to a meeting, at least you know what has been said and you can comment on your ideas or concerns. 

If you don't or can't have Facebook, don't worry, we will let you know personally when and where the meetings take place. We make sure that no one is left out.

We are also planning to run a pilot program exclusive to the YRG called the BuildingUp program. This program links YRG members up with a member of the board of management for mentoring and skill building; while being able to provide feedback and help with collaboration with the board of management for IYC.

You also get to mention your involvement on your resume to prove to employers that you have been active in teamwork, planning, and networking. 

 

How do I join the Youth Reference Group?

You contact us with a message via our contact page. When you write to us, please state your age and which suburb or suburbs you live, study, or work in. Make sure you leave your contact details so we can get back to you. 

Once we get back to you, we invite you to the upcoming meeting. Once you attend the meeting, you get to hang out with us and see how a meeting takes place. If you find you enjoyed your time during the meeting, we then ask you to fill out a form that makes you an official member of the Youth Reference Group and send you a link to the closed Facebook group. 

We also ask you to take a photo of yourself, and for you to give us a blurb about yourself to publish on this website. This part is optional though as we respect people's safety and cultural practices. However, we do encourage this as the benefit of this is for you to show other people, like a potential employer, that you are actively involved in something that is both professional and social.