Youth Board of Directors

CYAN’s Youth Board of Directors is a dynamic group of high school students from across California who provide direction and guidance to CYAN’s Youth Program.  Youth serve a one-year term (July – June) on the Board and meet monthly to discuss CYAN’s youth-focused activities.

Join the Youth Board of Directors

WHAT DOES THE YBOD DO?

  • 
Empower teens to advocate for smoke/tobacco-free policy.

  • Collaborate with CYAN staff and fellow Youth Board members to develop materials, activities, trainings, and events for California youth. 

  • Represent CYAN and/or facilitate workshops at conferences and events. 


WHAT WILL YOUTH GET FROM THIS EXPERIENCE? 

  • Build your personal growth and sense of agency

  • Develop leadership, public speaking, and communication skills

  • Increase knowledge of social justice and commercial tobacco control issues

  • Learn to engage decision makers and community members on systems change

  • Professional development for resumes and college applications


WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT TO SERVE ON THE BOARD?

  • Meet virtually 1-2 times a month

  • Attend 3-4 in-person weekend events in Sacramento and surrounding area (Fall Orientation Retreat, Winter Leadership Retreat, Youth Quest, and the Statewide Youth Advocacy Conference). All food and travel expenses are paid by CYAN

  • Collaborate with CYAN staff and fellow Youth Board members to plan statewide activities, campaigns, trainings, and events

  • Regularly communicate with CYAN staff and fellow YBOD members via email, phone, communication apps

APPLICANTS MUST BE:

  • A California resident

  • Involved in local commercial tobacco control/prevention activities (OR actively involved in local public health efforts).

  • Able to commit time to any meetings, projects, and travel associated with board membership

  • In 9th-12th grade for the 2024-2025 school year

  • Willing to serve at least one full-year term (from July - June of following year)

  • Willing to respond to email and text communication on a regular basis

  • Sincere in their continued interest, open to growth, and willing to work as a team

  • Interested in sharing your ideas and speaking on behalf of their community

  • Curious or committed toward efforts that address social justice issues connected to public health 

Applications for 2024-2025 Leadership Board Will Be open through June 2, 2024.

Stories From the Youth Board

The Youth Board blog highlights youth advocacy successes, how we are countering the tobacco industry, udpates on statewide activities like Youth Quest, and muchmore.