CITY Youth Ambassador Program: Staff Overview

Who are Youth Ambassadors?The Youth Ambassadors are an informed, motivated and reliable group of 10-15 select young adults, ages 15 and older, who are professionally trained, supported and monitored by UCAN. The Ambassadors will be responsible for representing the organization in a variety of ways, primarily opportunities to educate key constituents and others on the Chicagoland Institute for Transforming Youth (CITY) initiative. Youth Ambassadors will make individual and group appearances before select audiences of various sizes and in an assortment of venues. The Ambassadors will share encouraging and compelling personal stories that attest to the significant impact UCAN has made on their lives. The Ambassadors will be diverse in a number of key areas, including: gender, age, personal experiences, racial and demographic background, public speaking skills, personal and professional goals and UCAN affiliation.

Youth Ambassadors CommitmentThe Youth Ambassadors Program presents a unique opportunity for participants to develop public speaking and business skills and to network with a variety of professionals. If accepted into the program, Youth Ambassadors are expected to take the commitment seriously. The primary objective is to attend CITY cultivation events, greet and mingle with guests, and provide a brief speech during the event. This speech will be approximately 3 ½ minutes in length and should include:

Brief personal history: Personal circumstances How individual arrived at UCAN

Connection to UCAN: What program(s) individual joined, how UCAN has helped,

what impact UCAN has made Achievements to date and vision for the future:

What has individual accomplished to date? Goals/wishes for future career, education, family, leadership,

community, continued learning, character development, home ownership, etc.

Why individual is a Youth Ambassador: Opportunity to share story and to help others

An overview of CITY and the significant number of youth it will impact

The goal is to provide constituents with a better understanding of UCAN and the impact the organization makes on youth. It is also an opportunity to make a true emotional connection with those in attendance.

Youth Ambassadors will also be expected to: Arrive punctually and stay until the end of the event unless otherwise

arranged Be responsible for his/her own transportation unless otherwise arranged Dress in appropriate business attire – funds for clothing and assistance

with purchases will be provided by UCAN Follow professional rules of etiquette Greet and mingle with event guests, which will provide networking

opportunities as well as opportunities to educate guests about UCAN Write a brief thank you note to the host/hostess post event

A thank-you note template will be provided Note should be submitted to Development within 3 business days

Formal Training RequirementsUCAN will provide Youth Ambassadors with hands-on individual and group training, which will include: sharing goals and expectations, messaging content, public speaking tips, proper business attire expectations and proper etiquette information.

Training will begin with three 60-90 minute sessions, with the primary objective of developing the initial speeches. These sessions will be followed by monthly enhancement sessions to improve Ambassador efficacy, interest and commitment. Specifically, Youth Ambassadors will be educated on:

greeting guests and engaging in small talk communicating an “elevator speech” – 1 minute summary of CITY

initiative developing personal/strategic talking points and use of note cards as

needed learning formal public speaking, including maintaining eye contact,

projection and enunciation

Youth Ambassador Program BenefitsIndividuals chosen to serve as an Ambassador will receive many benefits, such as:

Extensive professional development opportunities, including public speaking and etiquette training

Networking opportunities More consistent connection to UCAN and the Future Leaders Now

program

Business wardrobe guidance and expense reimbursement Travel reimbursement Formal engagement payment

Training ScheduleIn order to meet the needs of the Youth Ambassadors, a flexible training schedule will be created and monitored by UCAN. Following is a preliminary schedule:

Date Task Staff Member

January 2-13 Identify prospective Youth Ambassadors

Acevedo, Baker, Faulk, Robinson, Stone

January 9-13

Contact prospective Ambassadors, provide program overview and confirm participation

Acevedo, Robinson

January 16Create Ambassador team roster with relevant information

Acevedo, Robinson, Young

January 16 Prepare and review training materials

Acevedo, Baker, Brown, Faulk, Robinson, Stone

January 17Conduct initial training session and prep speakers for first cultivation event

Acevedo, Baker, Brown, Friedman, Robinson, Schrantz, Vanden Berk, Young

January 30Conduct second training session

Acevedo, Baker, Brown, Faulk, Fowlkes, Friedman, Robinson, Stone

February 23 (tentative)

Spiritual Formation/Cultivation Event at 400 E. Randolph

Long, Robinson

February 24 (tentative) Debrief of first event

Acevedo, Baker, Brown, Fowlkes, Friedman, Robinson, Schrantz, Vanden Berk, Young

February 27 Conduct third training sessionAcevedo, Baker, Brown, Friedman, Robinson, Schrantz, Vanden Berk, Young

Program Evaluation & Speakers’ AssessmentIn order to continually enhance the quality of presentations, UCAN will create a one-page survey, which will be distributed to event attendees to assess speakers’ performance in such areas as: subject knowledge, disposition, elocution, passion, interest, appearance and credibility. Respondents can sign the survey or remain anonymous.

The success of the Youth Ambassadors will be evaluated through several tangible and intangible metrics, which may include:

number of events attended written and oral reviews of presentations by audience requests for additional speaking opportunities from prior groups

Please contact Ellen Acevedo at 773.759.5446 or acevedoe@ucanchicago.org at least two weeks in advance of an event to discuss Youth Ambassador

requirements.