YiP Staff Advisors
The following guidelines about the role and attributes of Staff Advisors have been developed based on feedback we’ve received from YiP participants, and adapted from models created by other youth philanthropy programs.
Role of the YiP Staff Advisor
- Supports the needs of the committee so that students can do the research, administration and decision-making work, but lets the students make their own choices
- Keeps students on track and makes sure the committee meets all deadlines, and acts as a final check to make sure all tasks have been completed correctly
- Understands how the program works or finds out the answers if there are difficult questions
- Encourages students to consider all points of view, and plays devil’s advocate if required
- Acts as a liaison between the school committee and The Winnipeg Foundation
- Responds to requests and communication from The Winnipeg Foundation in a timely manner
- Steps in if the committee is having irreconcilable differences
Staff advisors from Glenlawn Collegiate get into the YiP spirit!
Attributes of an Effective YiP Teacher Advisor
A teacher advisor…
- is enthusiastic and a good communicator
- is organized
- is encouraging and supportive, but does not take full control
- shares knowledge and experience
- provides positive feedback as well as constructive criticism
- trusts the committee to make their own decisions, but steps in when appropriate
- is respectful, understanding and non-judgmental
- is open to new ideas
- is dynamic and creative
