Invitation to Apply to Serve as On-site Volunteer Staff for YLF 2010 

The 19^th annual California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF) will be held this summer. As you may know, the success of this nationally acclaimed program is dependent on the committed volunteers who understand the importance of youth leadership and development.

The application form includes a list of volunteer staff positions, the YLF Ground Rules and Guidelines and the Definition of Confidentiality for the 2010’s California YLF. The forum will be held July 23-29, 2010, at California State University, Sacramento for staff. If you are interested in serving as an on-site volunteer, please complete the enclosed application and return it with one letter of recommendation and the signature page in the application by May 20, 2010 by 12:00 p.m. (noon). The return address is on the application form. 

We are pleased to inform you that in 2010, more than twenty other states will be conducting a YLF based on our California Model. There are now thousands of YLF national alumni and we are especially proud of our California YLF alumni who continue to serve our state as YLF volunteers. 

Staff will be selected on June 2, 2010. If you are offered a position, we will need a firm commitment that you can participate in the seven-day event. All selected staff will receive specific information regarding their position and information on making travel arrangements. As noted in the enclosed “YLF Ground Rules and Guidelines”, all staff must participate in a mandatory staff orientation and are required to stay at the forum site at California State University, Sacramento, for the entire duration of the YLF program. Additionally, because the YLF project involves minors, all staff applicants will be subject to self-disclosure statements and/or background checks, and a confidentially agreement statement. 

Because there is so much interest from individuals who want to serve as YLF volunteer staff, we regret that not all applicants may be selected to serve for 2010 even though you may have served as YLF Volunteer Staff in the past years.

If you have any questions about the YLF Volunteer Staff application and or the application process, please contact Eddie Rea at (866) 296-9753 (voice) or (916) 325-1699 (TTY) or Cynthia Escott at (916) 558-5408 (voice) or (916) 558-5403 (TTY) or Alex Mentkowski at .  

We sincerely appreciate your interest in YLF and look forward to hearing from you. 

Download Volunteer Staff Application

Ground rules and Guidelines For the Staff of The  California Youth Leadership Forum  

1. All staff must attend the confidentiality training which will be presented at the staff orientation and have a certificate of completion on file.
2. All staff must participate in the required Staff Orientation (conducted the day before the delegates arrive).
3. Confidentiality is critical to the success of the YLF program. Remind your delegates and model to your fellow staff the importance of not repeating or sharing personal information presented by the delegates or staff.
4. Staff must remain on site at CSU, Sacramento (or the off-site venues during the State Capitol visit) from the day the students arrive (Sunday) until they depart (Thursday).
5. Co-Counselors are required at all times to know the location of the delegates assigned to their Small Groups.
6. If issues with delegates or colleagues arise that you feel unable to handle alone, discuss them as soon as possible with your lead staff or the YLF On-site Project Director.
7. If you are assigned to a Small Group, you must remain with your group during all Large Group sessions. This enables you to ensure that your delegates are actively engaged.
8. At all times, the YLF front desk staff (Dorm Leaders) must know the location of all staff. It is assumed that you will be either in the assigned group sessions or your private room. If you must go somewhere else, please notify the front desk staff of your destination, departure time and expected return time.
9. All Staff must wear the standard issued YLF shirts during the entire project.
10. If you drive your personal vehicle to YLF, you must inform the YLF Project Director if you need to drive it on YLF business. You cannot transport another YLF staff person or delegate without prior permission and proof of appropriate insurance.
11. Remember that all staff continually serve as a role model for the delegates, so   we need to model the behavior we require of the delegates, including the following:
12. Maintain a respectful attitude toward all YLF participants-delegates, facilitators, forum staff, and CSUS staff;
13. Respect the facilities, including maintaining the condition of dormitory rooms and all other areas. (Participants will have to pay for property damage they cause and for lost room keys or towels); and Be at designated places at all times and be punctual to all meetings.
14. Attendance is mandatory at daily staff meetings, which give us the opportunity to review the completed day and plan for the following day.
15. Volunteer staff will be reimbursed for pre-approved travel expenses but otherwise are not financially compensated. 

   Additional Requirements for staff and delegates:  

• Cell phones and text messaging are not permitted for use by the staff or delegates during YLF, except Sunday and Thursday during travel times and in personal guest rooms. If staff must use cell phones for YLF or other business, please use them out of sight of the delegates—in your personal guest room or the designated staff office.
• No stereos, radios, MP3s, iPods, CD/DVD players, or electronic games will be permitted during YLF sessions. It is recommended these devices be left at home.
• All CSUS buildings, other residence halls and facilities are restricted to scheduled and supervised periods of time.
• Use of the swimming pool is prohibited by CSU Sacramento.
• If you must smoke, please do so away from buildings and out of the sight of YLF delegates.

A final reminder that the volunteer staff is the most highly valued component of YLF. Please know how much you are appreciated and what an honor it is to be selected to serve.