HYV Membership

We build power when we grow in numbers! Our membership ladder is important because it conveys how a base supporter might turn into an active, long-term HYV Leaders who sustain the organization’s mission and power. We want to show you the clear steps on how people grow from a fellow community member, into a core or leading member of our movement.

HYV’s membership age is 13-25! We believe at each tier you are a member and each tier has a different level of commitment and engagement! Wanna learn more ? Fill out our membership form & reach out to our Executive Director, Maya Sheppard, at maya@hearingyouthvoices.com with any outstanding questions.

 

CORE ORGANIZERS / STAFF

Folks who hold ongoing responsibility for the leadership, engagement, administration, and day-to-day operations of HYV.

  • Lead organizational strategy, programming, and engagement.

  • Coordinate administrative and operational processes.

  • Support the development of members and member leaders.

  • Includes the Executive Director, Operations, Communications/Marketing, and Organizing staff.

leading MEMBER

Members who take an active leadership role in shaping campaigns, facilitating meetings, and representing HYV.

  • Participate in planning and facilitating strategy meetings.

  • Facilitate HYV campaign meetings.

  • Represent HYV in meetings and negotiations with school boards, police, city officials, and other decision-makers.

  • Represent HYV in campaign-level negotiations around demands and policy change.

  • Report outcomes, updates, and decisions back to the broader membership/base.

  • Help guide campaign strategy and support other members in becoming more involved.

ACTIVE MEMBER

Members who regularly participate in campaigns and take responsibility for moving the work forward.

  • Recruit and invite other members and supporters to HYV meetings, events, and actions.

  • Make calls and conduct outreach to the base.

  • Share campaign updates and progress with the broader membership.

  • Speak with the press about HYV campaigns, including issues, demands, and campaign targets.

  • Participate consistently in meetings, actions, trainings, and campaign activities.

  • Take on volunteer roles that help strengthen HYV campaigns and membership.

BASE / SUPPORTER

People who are connected to HYV, participate in activities, and are beginning to build their involvement in the organization.

  • Attend HYV meetings, celebrations, membership events, and annual orientation.

  • Participate in trainings, marches, actions, press conferences, and other events.

  • Volunteer at HYV events and help recruit others to participate.

  • Pass out flyers and invite people to meetings, events, and actions.

  • Help prepare meeting and event spaces.

  • Observe and identify inequity, unfairness, or harmful practices happening in schools and the community.

  • Share information with HYV about incidents such as police harassment, abuse, or arrests at school.

  • Participate as an observer in meetings with police, school officials, city officials, or campaign targets.

  • Stay connected, show up, and begin taking on opportunities for deeper involvement.