As part of my youth committee in my neighborhood, we had a planning meeting today to decide on what activities we'd like to do this year. I was sick, but sent my sister (also a member) with a list of great ideas for these activities: volunteering at the animal shelter, a talent show, photo scavenger hunt, bigger and better, playing balderdash... just fun things.
She came home with the list of things they had decided on, clearly adult chosen. Things like cleaning the chairs at the church in our neighborhood, having an hour and half read-a-thon, guest speakers, car wash....
Okay... those do not even BEGIN to compare to my ideas! No one will come to those!!! Gosh!!!
The YOUTH COMMITTEE is supposed to decide on the YOUTH ACTIVITIES!!! If we wanted adults to choose them, we would have an ADULT committee to plan the youth activities.
Please assure me that I am not crazy in thinking this, and let me know how I can let them know that I hate these ideas!!!!!
2007-01-21 08:32:08 · 5 answers · asked by Yasuko 3 in Games & Recreation ➔ Other - Games & Recreation
Ask your sister how the activities were chosen. Were there more adults than 'youth' present at the meeting? It's easy enough for the adults to think up things they'd like to see the youth participate in, then vote for it themselves.
Instead of showing your displeasure, ask each member (without stating your feelings upfront) what their personal input was, and how they feel about the results.
Most importantly, ask each youth member how likely he or she will be to actually participate in activities such as "cleaning the chairs at the church". If you can document that the ideas were proposed by the adults, and that the youth are not likely to participate, then go to the chairperson or other committee leader and present your case.
It defeats the purpose of the youth committee, if they won't participate because they don't want to do the activities. If the adults feel their lives will be enhanced by having guest speakers or having a read a thon, then tactfully suggest that they adopt these suggestions for their 'adult committee'.
The adults want the youth to focus on charity, volunteerism and education, which is all well and good, but kids staying off the street to play games is a whole lot better than kids hanging out on the street because they have nothing better to do than clean chairs at a church. I mean, ick. Really.
The youth committee should be run by youth, with adults present only to help with the logistical and procedural aspects. They should be non-voting members. Certainly they should add their input, but since youth can't vote on adult activities, the adults should not be allowed to dictate what the kids will do. They get to do enough of that at home!
2007-01-21 08:49:03 · answer #1 · answered by f117a_twinturbo 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is going to be okay, yes it sounds like the adults planned some stuff, but the church probably already asked if they would do it. You were not at the meeting so you don't all that took place.
Don't worry you will be adult soon and make your own decisions.
2007-01-21 08:37:26 · answer #2 · answered by betty_htch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. You guys should be able to do whatever activites you want. Why do anything at all if you aren't going to enjoy it? Tell these people that you really would like to use your own ideas and maybe see if the whole commitee can vote on what they want to do.
2007-01-21 08:36:29 · answer #3 · answered by Heather 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are 100 percent correct.
2007-01-21 08:35:29 · answer #4 · answered by §†reet R¥dA 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you in theory, but lets remember.....it may be for the teens, but it is ADULT sponserd, ADULT payed for, and ADULT supervised.
2007-01-21 08:39:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋