Each year the Roots & Shoots National Youth Leadership Council accepts applications for membership in the Fall with a new term of the Council starting on January 1 each year. The Council's membership includes leaders who have demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for improving their communities and who are committed Roots & Shoots leaders. Check out the slideshow below with tips from the Roots & Shoots team on how you can prepare for the next round of applications for the Council.
Continue to look for leadership roles and ways to stay involved in your community.
When you apply for an opportunity for something like the Council, it's always great to have experiences that you can discuss in your application and interview process. Taking advantage of local opportunities for service and leadership can give you these experiences and a great deal of topics to discuss when you apply for the Council. Take a look at your community and see what you can find. Get involved and take advantage of these resources!
Become a Roots & Shoots member--Start a Group!
Many members of the Council have already started a Roots & Shoots group, so if you haven't, now is the perfect time to do so! You can sign up online, get access to all of the tools and resources Roots & Shoots has to offer, and start a project in your community. Whether its helping the environment, or doing something that benefits people or animals, as long as it adresses an issue in your community that you're passionate about, it's Roots & Shoots!
Report your projects on our website!
If you're already a member, or just starting, don't forget to post your projects to the Project Search! One of Roots & Shoots' greatest resources is this online database with projects that have been submitted by members from all over the world. Through the Project Search members learn from each other, and connect on issues that are important to them. This is also the way that the Roots & Shoots team recognizes members for their impact. Your project could be featured as the next project of the week, and each year your projects can help you earn a certificate of recognition signed by Dr. Jane herself. We also choose the Group of the Month from projects submitted so there's a way that your entire group can get recognition for helping out in your community.
Identify a teacher or adult mentor who could write a letter of recommendation for you.
Having an adult mentor who can help you with your projects, and help you advance as a leader on a local level is so important. They can help connect you to resources and other people who can help you be the most successful you can be. And putting in a lot of effort with your adult mentor can get you far. When it comes to the application for the Council, a strong recommendation letter from an adult mentor can go a long way in helping improve your application.
Stay in touch with Roots & Shoots and the NYLC through Facebook and Twitter.
Don't miss the application deadline! You can keep in touch with Roots & Shoots on Facebook and Twitter and make sure that you are notified when the applications are open for the 2014 Council.
