Join the Youth Advisory Board

The YAB is not currently accepting applications for new members. If you would like to be notified when applications open, please contact us.

Our goal: We are the Youth Advisory Board at Plan International USA, a diverse group of young leaders from the U.S. who help guide Plan’s work. We know that true change for young people around the world can’t happen unless young activists have a seat at the table and the power to meaningfully contribute to the decision-making process. As part of the YAB, we collaborate with leaders, at Plan and elsewhere, to ensure that young people’s voices, needs and ideas are integrated into the policies and programs that impact their lives. We encourage applications from young people with diverse experiences, including all types of abilities, ethnicities, religions and gender identities.

 

YAB member roles & responsibilities:

• Co-design Plan’s domestic youth programming and advocacy campaigns focused on young people.
• Support the execution of campaigns and youth engagement activities.
• Work in partnership with Plan’s internal teams and board of directors to bring young people’s voices and perspectives to various initiatives.
• Participate in mandatory monthly virtual meetings and biannual in-person retreats.
• Engage in influencing activities with policymakers and major corporations.
• Co-design and facilitate Plan’s Youth Leadership Academy and serve as mentors to YLA participants.

Requirements:

• Be a young person living in the U.S., between the ages of 16-20.
• Be proficient in English.
• Be interested in gender equality, global issues and youth-led advocacy.
• Have regular access to a computer and the internet to participate in remote meetings.
• Be able to travel to in-person retreats and influencing activities in the U.S., when social distancing guidelines allow. *

Commitments:

• Be willing and able to commit a minimum of six hours per week to board activities.
• Serve for a minimum of two years.
• Attend mandatory monthly virtual meetings, which often take place in the evening on Eastern Standard/Daylight Time.
• Participate in project committees and complete assigned deliverables.
• Participate in advocacy initiatives with the U.S. Congress and corporate leaders.
• Support Plan campaigns and initiatives.
• Attend mandatory biannual in-person retreats.*
• Meet all expectations listed in the YAB bylaws

*Any travel required for YAB members is arranged and paid in full by Plan.

How we work:

• Once selected, YAB members will be invited to a virtual orientation.
• The YAB meets once a month for a virtual coordination meeting. This meeting is mandatory and usually takes place in the evening on Eastern Standard/Daylight Time.
• YAB members participate in project committees and work with internal Plan USA staff on specific projects. Members are also invited to engage in advocacy and program activities with Plan staff, policymakers, partners and donors.
• The YAB communicates through a private Slack channel, in accordance with Plan’s digital safeguarding guidance.

 

 

View the YAB bylaws

Get to know the YAB