GOLDEN — The Columbia Basin Trust’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) recently gained some new members from across the region.
In case you’ve never heard of it, the YAC is a group of young men and women who provide a youthful perspective to the CBT on a variety of issues facing today’s youth. They commit to a one-year term and have an opportunity to meet, work and travel with like-minded young people.
“We work with youth and communities to increase youth opportunities and engagement,” CBT Youth Liaison Michelle d’Entremontsaid in a statement. “Being a member of YAC is a great way for youth to develop their leadership skills, engage with CBT and provide input on issues that are important to them.”
The new members are: Curtis Bendig (Nelson), Darelyn Hutchinson (Cranbrook), Laura Kanik (Revelstoke), Paniz Khosroshahy (Cranbrook), James Klemmensen (Rossland), Danika Reid (Cranbrook), Bailey Repp (Nelson), Wesley Routley (Golden) and Theresa Thoms (Castlegar).
“I am truly excited by this opportunity,” said Revelstoke’s Laura Panik. “I see YAC as an opportunity to use my skills and enthusiasm to contribute to my community while also developing my skills. Win-win!”
The new members are excited about joining YAC and looking forward to making a difference in their communities.
“To me, being on YAC is so different from any other club or team,” said Bailey Repp of Nelson. “Being able to provide and empower other youth with huge opportunities to drive change has to be one of the best feelings one can have.”
“I am very passionate about youth issues and work hard in my community to give youth a voice,” said Darelyn Hutchinson of Cranbrook. “It’s a wonderful feeling to get to be a part of the decision-making process with youth grants, and the fun process of inspiring youth and getting inspired myself.”
The statement also said a number of previous members are sticking around to continue hamking a difference. These returning members are Sierra Franklin (Canal Flats), Blake Nicol (Nelson) and Taryn Walker (Revelstoke).
“Through YAC you feel more confident about your ability to give meaningful input,” Taryn said. “You find yourself stepping outside of yourself and considering others’ perspectives while developing skills you never knew you were capable of.”
Prospective YACers go through an application process and are selected to volunteer on the committee by the previous year’s committee members. The commitment involves a weekend meeting every two months which includes the review of Columbia Basin Youth Grants applications–a task that is unique to this CBT advisory committee to further promote the active engagement of youth in regional decision-making processes.
CBT supports youth and communities through a range of programs such as the Community Directed Youth Funds and Columbia Basin Youth Grants, as well as by providing a forum for Basin youth to share their art, ideas and experiences with each other through SCRATCH magazine. Visit www.cbt.org/youth for more details.
CBT supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit www.cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.
