The YOVASO Staff is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 YOVASO Youth Advisory Council. The application includes three parts; personal information, one letter of recommendation, and essay questions. Applications are due by August 9, 2019. If you have any concerns meeting this deadline because of your school start date, please contact us.

Purpose of the YOVASO Youth Advisory Council:

The YOVASO Youth Advisory Council is a group of students who want to take a leadership role with YOVASO by speaking out and saving lives. These students are leaders within their high schools and are empowered by YOVASO to make a large-scale impact in their schools, communities, and throughout the Commonwealth. The staff at YOVASO created the council to keep YOVASO youth oriented and youth-led. As youth advisors, the members play a vital role in the mission of YOVASO.

Members of the YOVASO Youth Advisory Council:

The council will consist of members from different high schools in Virginia who are rising sophomores through rising seniors. Members selected will serve for one year and may reapply yearly. These students must be leaders with strong ideas, the ability to solve problems and think strategically.

Duties of the YOVASO Youth Advisory Council:

- The YOVASO Youth Advisory Council will meet as a whole monthly --- either in-person, or via online conference call. If a council member can not uphold these responsibilities, he/she must notify Callie Clary to determine what action needs to take place.
- Council members will brainstorm new ideas for YOVASO through committees. Members will be broken into smaller groups dedicated to various tasks, to help keep YOVASO fresh and help ensure that students stay excited and motivated to save lives. There will be a Retreat Planning Committee and a Program Development Committee. The Program Development Committee will focus on social media/marketing usage, grant ideas, campaign development and school outreach.
- Council members have the opportunity to participate in state and national highway safety conferences and other events that promote YOVASO at the local, state, and national level.
- Council members must act as positive role models in their schools and communities and uphold the values of YOVASO.
- Council members must actively participate in their school’s YOVASO or prevention club.
- Council members are required to help lead YOVASO campaigns and activities in their schools.
-Council members are REQUIRED to serve as youth leaders for the YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat June 15-18, 2020 at James Madison University. Youth leaders are also required to arrive one day early on June 14, 2020 to help prepare for the week ahead. If you have something else planned for this time frame or there's a possibility something may come up, you need to notify Callie Clary prior to applying and/or as early as possible. If selected to serve on the council despite the possibility of not being able to work the retreat, you will be REQUIRED to find a replacement who will be able to work the retreat and also attend the two-day Youth Leader Training in Blackstone, VA that will take place in April prior to the retreat.

If there are issues, please email Callie Clary at callie.clary@vsp.virginia.gov.