Future Blue Youth Council
Hey, what is the Future Blue Youth Council?
Bow Seat’s Future Blue Youth Council is a diverse group of young people working together to advance Bow Seat’s mission and to empower fellow peers to advocate for their future and for our environment. Council members are paid to serve one-year terms as project managers, advisors, and creative idea generators!
What do members do?
- Collaborate to create and oversee a new by-youth, for-youth environmental grantmaking program to launch in Fall 2021
- Contribute experience, creativity, and insight to inform, advise, and shape Bow Seat’s educational programming
- Help expand the reach and impact of Bow Seat’s programs, including the Ocean Awareness Contest and other environmental campaigns
- Develop and participate in innovative ways to engage with Bow Seat’s global community on initiatives that empower young people to advocate for their future and for our blue planet
- Commit six to ten hours each month for a one-year term. You will participate in working conference calls twice a month, and small group calls/discussions on a regular basis as needed to carry out project work.
That’s cool and all, but what’s in it for me?
$1,500 stipend
Opportunity to develop and lead an environmental grantmaking program for youth
Opportunities to cultivate your creative practice and to strengthen skills such as communications, teamwork, and critical thinking
Mentorship with Bow Seat staff and other like-minded peers from around the world
Experience working with a nonprofit with an international reach
Networking and opportunities to connect with leaders in the ocean conservation community
That sounds really interesting! Do I qualify?
While no specific background experience is required, Council members should have the following qualifications:
- Between the ages of 16-21 from anywhere around the world
- Must have participated in one of Bow Seat’s programs (i.e., Ocean Awareness Contest; Healthy Whale, Healthy Ocean Challenge; and/or the Marine Debris Creative Advocacy Competition). If the 2021 Ocean Awareness Contest is the first time that you will be participating in a Bow Seat program, you must submit to the 2021 Contest by November 6th (the deadline for the Future Blue Youth Council application).
- Proficiency in English, both written and verbal
- Reliable internet connection*
- Interest in and commitment to creativity and environmental conservation
- Commitment to working in collaboration with other Youth Council members as well as Bow Seat staff
- Able to serve a one-year term and to attend meetings and fulfill the responsibilities of the Council
- Excited about learning new things
*If you don’t have access to reliable internet connection, please email us! We don’t want this to serve as a barrier for your application or, if selected, your service on the Council!
I qualify! What else do I need to apply?
- Responses to six written questions (there is no word-count limit; please respond fully).
- What does community mean to you? And how do you give back to it?
- What are two adjectives your friends would use to describe you? You can list the adjectives, no need for a complete sentence.
- Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
- Describe a time where you worked as a team member to accomplish a goal or overcome an obstacle.
- What is a social or environmental issue you’re passionate about and why? You may respond with a video instead of a written answer.
- What are your personal goals and hopes for the Future Blue Youth Council?
- Resume. If you’ve never written one before, find a template for creating a resume here.
- Short letter of support from a mentor/teacher/coach/counselor (any supportive adult who is not your parent). The letter should be, at most, one double-spaced page, and should either be uploaded directly with the application or emailed to [email protected] Here are some resources for asking for a recommendation letter.
- Peer letter of support (optional)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Okay, I read through everything, and I am ready to apply!
Great! Please apply using the form below. We highly recommend that you draft and save your written answers in a separate document, then cut-and-paste them into the online form.
Application
Thanks for your interest! The application deadline has now passed.
I applied! What’s next?
After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email. If selected as a finalist for the Council, you will receive an invitation by November 23rd for a virtual interview.
If you are not selected as a finalist, it’s a reflection of the limited positions we are able to offer, not of your incredible ability and potential. We encourage you to apply again for the following year and engage now in other opportunities in environmental conservation and creative advocacy, some of which can be found on our Opportunities page.
Youth Council members will officially be notified of their selection by December 11th.
Frequently Asked Questions
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Any person age 16-21 who has participated in a Bow Seat program is eligible to apply.
Yes. This is an international council and is open to people ages 16-21 worldwide.
Yes! You are eligible to participate regardless of your citizenship status. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact us.
Yes!
Yes!
No.
Your application will not be judged on a specific number of awards or leadership positions. We have tried our best to gear the application to learning about who you are as a person and your interest in applying, rather than your accolades or access to opportunities. This Council is a space for members to grow and learn from each other, and develop leadership experience in a collaborative setting.
No worries! We’ve created a template for you to reference here. Make a copy of it and fill out your information!
We recognize that those applying are still students or just beginning their professional lives. Creating a resume gives applicants an opportunity to format, some for the first time, a professional document that will later be workshopped during the Council.
Right now the Council is only open to Bow Seat alumni.
Yes, you are eligible to apply if you have participated in any of Bow Seat’s programs. Winning an award is not an eligibility requirement.
Yes, but you must submit to the 2021 Contest by November 6th, 2020 – the application deadline for the Council.
Please contact us here, and select your reason for contacting as “Future Blue Youth Council.”
If you are between 16-18 years of age, be sure to obtain your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission before you send any information about yourself (such as your name, email address, etc.) to Bow Seat or anyone else over the internet. If you are under the age of 18, you must provide your parent’s or legal guardian’s contact information on the application. If you are under the age of 18 and selected for the Council, your parent or legal guardian must review, sign, and send a consent form as part of your on-boarding for the Council.
First, each application will be evaluated by the Bow Seat team and a youth representative. Then, finalists will be notified of their status and invited to an interview with the members of the Bow Seat team. After the interviews, Bow Seat staff will make their final selections for the 2021-2022 Council.
We want Future Blue to represent a range of communities, ages, and interests. Above all, we are looking for applicants who are enthusiastic, committed, and creative.
All applicants will be notified about their status by November 23rd. Finalists will be notified if they’re selected for the Council by December 11th.
STIPEND QUESTIONS
Yes, those selected to be on the Council will receive a stipend totaling $1,500.
The stipend will be paid quarterly. Every three months, each member will receive $375, dependent on their attendance and participation in meetings.
GENERAL COUNCIL QUESTIONS
For the Council’s inaugural year, we are planning on selecting five to eight members, depending on the quality and quantity of applications we receive.
You will serve from January 2021 to January 2022.
If you’re selected for the Council, you are required to sign a contract confirming your commitment and capacity to participate in the program. If you’re no longer able to fully participate, please let us know ASAP so we can accept another Council member.
You will need the following:
- Internet to access the platform required for meetings
- An Internet-enabled device (a computer or laptop is preferable, but not necessary)
- An email address
- Access to Google Drive
We hope you commit yourself seriously to the Council, however, if you’re unable to attend a meeting, we understand. If selected, you will be briefed on the Council’s attendance policy.
Yes! We highly encourage you to re-apply if you’re still eligible.
Please contact us here, and select your reason for contacting as “Future Blue Youth Council.”