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Teen Council Info To Publications / Articles - Teen Council Info

Posted 1/17/24

Teen Council and Jr. Teen Council:

Teen Council and Jr. Teen Council will meet biweekly; on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, during co-op. Teen Council and Jr. Teen Council are offered free for Redwoods members; events and activities may have additional costs.

Teen Council is for students ages 13-18. Students must be at least 13 years old at the start of the semester to sign up.

Jr. Teen Council is for ages 11-12. Students must be at least 11 years old at the start of the semester to sign up.

Registration for Teen Council and Jr. Teen Council occurs during Tuesday Co-op registration.

 

Key Objectives:

  • Leadership Development - Empower students to gain leadership skills grounded in Biblical principles, fostering confidence and a sense of responsibility. Teach students to lead with humility, love, and a servant's heart.
  • Community Service - Plan and execute meaningful community service projects each semester, emphasizing the importance of selfless service, kindness, and compassion.
  • Event Planning and Execution - Provide opportunities for students to plan and execute events, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and organizational skills.
  • Prayerful Planning - Integrate prayer into the planning and execution of community service projects and events, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's guidance in all endeavors.
  • Financial Stewardship - Instill in students a commitment to be responsible and to demonstrate wise management of what has been entrusted to them by fostering a sense of accountability and care for the resources provided by God.
  • Encouragement of Creativity - Cultivate creativity among students by providing opportunities for them to express their ideas and talents in planning and organizing events and activities.

 

Teen Council:

Teen Council is primarily student-led, by student elected officers, with guidance and coaching from our Teen Council Director. Students work as a team each semester to:

· Complete a community service project

· Host an event for homeschooled teens

· Fundraise to support the endeavors of teen council

· Plan a fellowship activity for teen council members

Students may work committee-style to achieve their goals; a student may work on the planning process of one project but will participate in all activities.

Officers are nominated, campaign, and are elected in the Spring Semester. The newly elected officers are expected to serve the following school year (Fall and Spring semesters). Officers should be responsible and looked on as a good role model. Officers should also have participated in Teen Council for at least one semester.

· President (presides over meetings, directs meetings, delegates tasks as appropriate)

· Vice President (supports the president role, presides over meetings in case of president absence)

· Secretary (records meeting minutes)

· Treasurer (tracks and records the finances for Teen Council)

 

All Teen Council members will be required to participate between meetings on various tasks and communicate in the Teen Slack Workspace. The slack app may be accessed from the student's device or on the parent's device. The Redwoods Teens slack workspace is moderated by the (adult) Teen Council Directors.

 

Jr. Teen Council:

Jr. Teen Council is generally directed by the Jr. Teen Council Facilitator; however, students are strongly encouraged to assume leadership roles and will have ample opportunities to be actively engaged. Students work as a team each semester to:

· Complete a community service project

o Fall – Operation Christmas Child Project (Global missions)

o Spring – Local organization (Local missions)

· Host an event for Jr. Teen Council members

o Fall - Christmas party (during last meeting day)

o Spring – choice of activity (off campus)

Students will have the opportunity to serve as President or Secretary for at least one meeting day. Students will learn to make decisions as a team and may work on various tasks committee-style to accomplish their goals.

Students will primarily work during the meeting time. Occasionally students may be tasked with research (including phone calls or emails) or creating promotional materials outside of the Jr. Teen Council meeting.

One purpose of Jr. Teen Council is for students to gain experience and confidence before participating in Teen Council.

 

Parents:

We ask that all parents of Teen Council members and Jr. Teen Council members support your students by:

· Helping as needed to complete their tasks outside of meeting time. (This may include access to the internet for research or helping them to make phone calls or write/respond to emails.)

· Bringing your student to participate in their community service project, activities, fundraising efforts, and events.

· Chaperone for at least one activity/event.

We would also like to have 1-2 parent helpers for each Teen Council and Jr. Teen Council as a Tuesday Co-op parent job, depending on the number of students, to help facilitate as needed. Typically, this looks like encouraging the students in their tasks, directing them to remain focused, and asking them guided questions in decision making.