What is Youth MOVE?
Vision: Youth MOVE National envisions a future in which young people are valued as
empowered leaders, advocates, and designers of communities that are built for all
youth to thrive.
Mission: Youth MOVE National connects, supports, and develops youth leadership in
advocacy to create positive change. We practice authentic youth engagement
through youth drive-driven decision-n decision making by elevating youth voices of lived experience.
We ensure that young people are heard and valued as leaders in the agencies,
communities, and systems that impact their lives.
What does Youth MOVE Suncoast do?
Youth MOVE Suncoast is a youth-driven Sarasota-Manatee chapter dedicated to
improving services and systems that support positive growth and development by
uniting youth and young adult voices of those who have lived experience in
various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education, and child
welfare. Youth MOVE Suncoast is committed to developing safe spaces for youth
and young adults (ages 10-29) in a supportive environment that addresses their
needs while engaging in activities and initiatives developed and led by youth and
youth adults.
How do we do this?
Host events
Lead groups
Create and coordinate initiatives
Place youth and young adults in leadership positions
Collaborate with community partners
And most importantly... Make the change we wish to see in the community
YOUTH MOVE BYLAWS
Section 1- Inclusiveness and Diversity
All YMS events are free of charge and hosted both virtually and in person.
Stipends to be made available to YMS Executive Board members. Ensuring
diversity in advertisements and location dispersement. Ensuring accessible
meeting locations for YMS events for folks, including access to reasonable
accommodations provided prior to the event and information on
accommodations available when event is advertised. Ask about accommodations
in member application process.
Section 2- Respect
All members are expected to treat each other kindly and fairly. No abuse of
power. Take an active role in dismantling power dynamics. No hateful speech or
speech that encourages violence. Take full responsibility for respecting yourself,
others, and the space. No discrimination of any kind will be tolerated. Take an
active role in creating a space in which everyone feels respected.
Section 3- Safety
All members should feel comfortable and safe within Youth Move (no matter the
location). Awareness of Warmline and 988 crisis awareness. Have designated
safety team at every YMS event. Safety team creates safety plan, accessible by
YMS members. No violence (or threats) will be tolerated and will result in
immediate action, with potential of expulsion.
Section 4- Sexual Harassment
No tolerance for sexual harassment of any kind. Safety team may take action in
education, intervention, and discipline of this case. Members of the safety team
who experience sexual harassment may be exempt from this process.
Section 5- Boundaries
Members and Staff should respect each other's time and effort - no
communication outside of designated work hours (M-F, 9-6pm; unless for an
event outside of these hours). Save questions about particular meetings for those
meetings; utilize emails as main source of communication. No sharing personal
contact information of others. No staff members may transport other YMS
members, including to YMS events. YMS Social media will not follow personal
accounts. Keep personal social media separate from YMS social media. We highly
encourage all to respect the privacy of YMS members and NAMI staff.
Section 6- Disiplinary Actions
Any youth move members who infringe on the emotional, physical or mental
safety of another youth move member(s) will be talked to directly about said
behaviors to help modify behaviors and come to a resolution. After being talked
to direct, and the behavior persists, the youth member will be subjected to a
board vote as to whether they can continue to be a Youth MOVE members and
attend events. Immediate removal, without board vote if sexual, physical, verbal
harrasment