Youth Outreach and Engagement in CCL Chapters

We’ve created these guidelines to help you safely support youth participation in CCL’s work. Youth and minors both refer to people under the age of 18 in this training.

Youth Action Team

CCL's Youth Action Team is a resource and a support for all chapters and group leaders interested in working more with young adults.  Youth are an ever-growing part of CCL and as more and more youth under 18  become involved, our national Youth Action Team is helping to create a vibrant and powerful inter-connected youth network across the country. The Youth Action Team is focused on supporting youth under 18 to be active, engaged, and empowered in building political will for climate solutions.  We have two main objectives:

1. to provide a space for CCL youth to communicate and interact with other young people;
2. to educate and support local chapters in providing opportunities for effective and empowering youth engagement.

 We’ve developed materials to provide some guidance and support for youth and their adult allies.  One of those resources is the Youth Outreach & Engagement Guide.

Youth Leader Action Toolkit

Another companion guide to the to the adult-focused Youth Outreach & Engagement Guide is the Youth Leader Action Toolkit. This toolkit was written specifically for youth who are stepping into leadership, and already we’ve received positive feedback about it from emerging youth leaders. This toolkit helps youth leaders to:

• start a Youth Team in your area, either at your school or as part of your broader community
• grow and sustain your team
• take action and connect with resources and opportunities for youth in CCL

Joining CCL

All youth may join and access CCL Community the same as adults. Although we don’t offer youth chapters, CCL chapters can establish a youth committee or subgroup as part of their chapter. There must be two adults present at all times during in-person meetings and activities. Only one adult is needed for virtual meetings. Whether virtual or in-person, all minors under the age of 16 must supply a permission slip from their parent or legal guardian, emailed to membership@citizensclimatelobby.org and the committee leader or activity organizer. Minors who are 16 or 17 years old do not need a permission slip to participate in CCL youth committees or activities.

Participation of youth in their community

Youth are welcome to participate in CCL chapter meetings and public events organized by CCL as appropriate to their age level. This includes both virtual and in-person activities. Youth who are 16 and 17 years old do not need a permission slip to participate in activities in their local community. Minors under the age of 16 who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian should email a signed permission slip to membership@citizensclimatelobby.org and the group leader or event organizer. Permission can be granted to cover a period of time up to a year. Additionally, if your local chapter wants to feature a photo, video, or audio clip of minors in your group, please make sure that they sign this Minor Release Form and email membership@citizensclimatelobby.org.

Be Smart, Think Legality

Permission slips

Youth do not need a permission slip when they are participating in a CCL activity with their parent or legal guardian. It is up to the parent/guardian to decide, in consultation with the group leader, when it is appropriate to include their young people. Requirements vary for minors who are not accompanied by their parent, depending on their age and the type of activity, as discussed below.

Privacy

It is especially important to follow CCL privacy policies regarding all contact info, including all minors' personally identifiable information. Limit the sharing of contact information to only the people who need it for a specific purpose. Volunteers in leadership positions should only have access to the personally identifiable information (for both adults and minors) deemed necessary to perform their role. For example, it’s necessary to know a person’s name, email address, and phone number so that we are able to contact them in support of our work. 

Participation in regional and national conferences

All minors (everyone under the age of 18) are welcome to attend with their parent, legal guardian, or a chaperone designated by a legal guardian. All minors must supply a signed permission slip indicating with whom they will be attending the conference (regional conference permission slip example). The parent, legal guardian, or chaperone attending with the minor must also be registered for the conference. Minors participating in our D.C. lobby days must have a designated chaperone with them throughout the lobby day. This continues our current practice, which is incorporated into the conference registration.

Transportation of youth

If transportation in a private vehicle is provided to minors (all ages), there needs to be two adults present in the vehicle.

Internships

Interns with CCL must be 18 years old. All minors (everyone under the age of 18) are unable to be placed in any CCL internship position on both the local or national level.

School-based groups and activities

Middle and high schools can offer many opportunities for engaging with youth, either as an ongoing school club or for particular events and activities. CCL volunteers should learn and comply with all school policies when working in a school-based setting. 

Intro & Agenda
(from beginning)

•  Destiny Loyd
• Sharon Bagatell
• Jess Wilber 

Download Google Slides presentation.

Intro & Agenda
(from beginning)

•  Destiny Loyd
• Sharon Bagatell
• Jess Wilber 

• Youth Outreach & Engagement Guide
• Youth Leader Action Toolkit
• If your local chapter wants to feature a photo, video, or audio clip of minors in your group, please make sure that they sign this Minor Release Form and email membership@citizensclimatelobby.org.