Youth Representative Group
With and for young people
The Y Canberra Region’s Youth Representative Group (YRG) exists as an advisory committee to our Board of Directors and it’s ‘youth voice’ is embedded in the organisation’s constitution.
The YRG consists of a group of young people aged from 18 to 30 with their own individual interests, experiences and knowledge to advise on the strategies and operations of the Y Canberra Region. As per the constitution, The YRG is formally invited to advise and present to The Y Canberra Region Board of Directors on matters of importance.
With the focus on personal, organisational and community development, the YRG maintains the Y mission by working WITH and FOR young people.
My time at the Y has shown me that I do not have to change who I am to be taken seriously in a professional space.
The YRG has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to organisational decisions, but has also helped me grow in confidence and develop a strong understanding of governance
Female YRG Member, 22
There are a lot more older generations in the government, maybe we do have less of a say because they say, “Oh, you’re young, you’re naïve, you haven’t lived” … at the same time they’re also stuck in the generation of what they had and it’s different
Woman, 23, Vic
Quote from Monash University’s 2024 Australian Youth Barometer: Understanding young people in Australia today
Our YRG Team Values
Maintaining our Y Canberra Region Values of:
Proud, Optimistic, Energetic, Open and Inclusive and Responsible Stewardship.
Hope. The YRG holds the value of Hope at the core of its function to inspire, empower and make a difference for the better of all those in our community.
Rebuilding and learning intergenerational bridges for social cohesion.
Our Goal
Our goal is to promote social cohesion, knitting youth advisory and advocacy into the fabric of our community.
Young people are not a homogenous group, but instead are individuals with unique tastes, beliefs and interests. Their voices and stories are invaluable when it comes to the issues, problems, changes and strategies of our community.
The Y Canberra understands that for young people to develop, they must have the opportunity to fail, for it is the resilience to continue on that is the most powerful.
Young people may say the ‘wrong thing’, speak ‘out of turn’ or wear something ‘too casual’ in professional or formal settings, but that is the very spark that should ignite new conversations, ideas and beliefs.
Our mission is to use the systems in place and the structures of governance to push for societal change to include young people in the conversations and decisions being made at the table.
How the YRG operates
Our YRG meets in-person monthly throughout the year with a requirement to attend 9/12 of these meetings, as well as a contribution of at least five hours per month. The YRG also have the opportunity to engage regularly with the Board of Directors, CEO, Company Secretary and Management Team. YRG members are appointed for a three-year term.
Being part of the YRG has shown me how powerful young people can be when given the chance to lead. At the Y, our ideas don’t just matter, they shape real change in our communities.
Male YRG Member, 23
Objectives and Activities
- Advocating for the inclusion and engagement of young people
- Provide advice and recommendations to the Directors on the adoption of strategies, projects and programs to impact young people
- Engaging participation of volunteering opportunities with sporting, arts, school, and community groups
- Opportunity to become a mentor for peers, young people and vulnerable community members in need
- Opportunity to represent the Y and network at events, festivals and conferences
- Opportunity to connect with the broader Y network, youth representatives and youth networks
- Ability to contribute to the design of social media content, merchandise, and participate in digital marketing and advocacy
- Opportunity to participate in the YMCA World Council
It is an honour to work with amazing young people with unique perspectives and life experiences.
Male YRG Member, 21
Growing up in a culturally diverse family has given perspective in the gaps of equity in our community, here I hope to make ways to bridge these gaps.”
CEO Statement of commitment to youth voice
Listen to why the YRG and ‘Youth Voice’ matters to the Y Canberra Region.
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