LATINO STUDENT STAFF APPLICATION
PACKET CHECKLIST
Please check that the following documents are completed, signed and included in this packet. Incomplete packets will not be reviewed. We strongly recommend that you keep a copy of this packet for your records.
_____ Young Life Application
_____ Area Director’s Recommendation
_____ Signed, Initialed and Dated Memorandum of Understanding/MOU (by VPFM,
Regional Director, Area Director and LSS Applicant)
In order to apply for the Alpha 10 class of Latino Student Staff (LSS) funding, a student must do the following:
- Complete a Field Staff Application and submit it to Area Director who will forward it to their Regional Director and then to their respective Divisional Field Ministry V.P. *LSS Candidate will need to be an employee/on staff with the local area.
- Have the respective ADcomplete an Area Director Recommendation form, which has been specifically made for the Latino Student Staff Initiative, and submit tothe Regional Director and Divisional Field Ministry V.P. *It is strongly recommended that the Region conduct an in-house interview process prior to submitting an application for consideration
- Both the LSS and Area Director must read and sign this Memo of Understanding (MOU) and initial all last page points and submit toRegional Director and Divisional Field Ministry V.P. by May 15th, 2015. Upon completion of these items, Area Directors will be notified in writing byDivisional Field Ministry V.P. by June 10, 2015. They in turn should personally notify the candidate of their acceptance into the program.
YoungLifeMemorandum
To: Regional Directors and Area Directors
From: Angel Ruiz, Field Ministry V.P. / National Latino Director
Subject:Memo of Understanding for Latino Student Staff Initiative
Date:3/15/15
Background
The largest demographic challenge in our mission is increasing our impact in reachingthe Latino student population, which currently makes up 21% of our total youth population in the U.S. (according to recent U.S. Census data).Comparatively, although there has been some improvement in our impact, recent Young Life camping stats list the attendance of Latino campers at only 11% across the country. Considering the growth rate for this demographic group (43% in the last 30yrs), the challenge to “close the gap” in our Mission only looms larger as we determine how to reach out to Latinos in a more effective way.
The Program
The Latino Student Staff Initiative is a comprehensive training plan designed to recruit, train and deploy qualified Latino college aged students. It is designed as a "cultural overlay" to the standard training practices employed at a local area and regional level. The plan is to develop well-trained Latino candidates who can serve as future volunteers, committee and staff. Although beachheads have been formed where we have had active ministry, a great majority of Latino communities have never heard of Young Life. There is nothing quite like the Student Staff experience to provide “up and coming” Latino collegians with a solid introduction to Young Life as well as laying a great foundation for ministry-at-large. This strategy has been proven time and time again throughout our mission’s history.
This two-year training tier plan will accept 20 new Latino Student Staff (LSS) per class from across the country. This class of trainees will be dubbed the“Alpha 10” class, and will participate in a distinct set of curriculum and formative experiences designed to nurture and groom these individuals for future leadership within the mission. The desired outcome at the end of the two-year period is to produce a minimum of 6-7 Latino candidates for full-time staff recruitment and placement (~33% of class). Along with this goal, we endeavor to keep an additional 6-7 committed volunteer leaders that remain connected to the mission. (Total retention goal 66%)
Note: LSS that come on full time staff are allowed to factor in the training received towards 4 college credits of the YL Training Timeline plan.
Since there are limited spots available, applicants just out of high school or entering their freshman year in college will not be considered; preference will be given to incoming juniors and seniors in college along with the recommendation from their Area Director. The national training team, along with the Field Ministry Vice Presidents from each division, will review all applications submitted by May 15th, 2015, and inform applicants of their status by June 10, 2015.
Finally, candidates participating in the LSS Initiative must also continue great contact and club work in their setting (10-20hrs/week), develop excellence in training, and maintain a minimum of a 2.5 gpa.
Financial Considerations
The funding for this plan consists of a 3-part shared responsibility between the local area/student staff person, the region, and the respective division. Those students who are accepted into the program will receive a $400 monthly transfer from the LSS Initiative to help cover their salary (which is set by their respective AD/RD). To participate, regions must match that amount making a total of $800 per month transferred to the local area where the student will be employed. In addition, it is imperative that at the local area level, there are a measure of funding efforts made(whether through the area and/or the student) that will make it possible for the student to be paid in such a way that no other part time job will be necessary to make their personal budget for living expenses, school, etc. This preparatory opportunity also serves as the beginning of future donor development relationships that will help make coming on Young Life staff possible after the 2 year LSS Initiative. (Initial transfers from the LSS Initiative will officially begin Sept’15, and only after the LSS Candidate has been ‘officially’hired by the local area; LSS Initiative Transfers will continue through 2 full fiscal years, so long as the candidate remains on staff)
It is important to note that a second job will not be allowed for the Student Staff participating in this program. Therefore the Area Director should have a discussion with any prospective LSS candidate to understand what their monthly personal budget would be in order for them to be adequately compensated. Once a budget is determined, this needs to be reviewed and approved by the supervising Regional Director before any national and regional funds will be allocated. Based on previous Alpha groups (FY06-14), the average salaries for Student Staff have ranged from $800 to $1500 per month(depending on local cost of living).
Training Schedule
In addition to any local area and/or regional training (to cover the 4 C's of Young Life, etc.), training for the LSS will take place over the course of four meetings the first year (Track I) and three meetings in the second year (Track II); along with 2 check in conference calls. In an effort to ensure the value and quality of the LSS experience, it is imperative to note that ALL training times below are required and will not be optional. A successful LSS experience will include intentional AD involvement; pre/post Cluster Meeting follow up with the LSS is strongly recommended. Finally,for those students who have not yet completed a Summer Camp assignment, it will be required that they do so at an agreed upon/designated camp property. If you choose to receive national funds for your Latino Student Staff, you are by default agreeing to allow them to fully participate in these trainings.
Note: Transportation costs (airfare, mileage) will be the responsibility of the Area/Region. The LSS Initiative no longer covers these expenses.
The two-year national training plan is listed below:
Alpha 10 Track 1 August ‘15 - August ‘16
• National LSS Orientation– August 13 – 16, 2015 (Greater L.A.)
•Cluster Fall Training- Oct 9-10, 2015(Greater L.A.)
•Winter Check-In – Dec 4, 2015(conf call info tbd) (11am—1pm/Pacific)
•ClusterSpring Training- Mar 11-12, 2016(Greater L.A.)
• National Training/Alpha 9 Graduation–May 12-14, 2016 (L.A. Azusa Pacific Univ / UYWI)
• LSS Summer Camp Assignment2016
Alpha 10 Track 2 August ‘16 - August ‘17
• Cluster Fall Training—Sep 9-10, 2016 (Greater L.A.)
• Winter Check-In –Dec 9, 2016(conf call info tbd) (11am—1pm/Pacific)
- Cluster Spring Training— Feb 3-4, 2017(Greater L.A.)
- National Training/Alpha9 Graduation— May 11-13, 2017 (L.A. Azusa Pacific Univ / UYWI)
*Upon acceptance, please add all of these dates to your Area/Regional calendar
Agreement to Terms
Please read and initial all points below, as well as adding your signature at the bottom of the page. By initialing each point, you are indicating understanding and agreementas it relates to participating in the Latino Student Staff Initiative.
Name of Alpha10Applicant______
RD AD LSS
The LSS will not be allowed to hold a second job. ______
The regional office is responsible for hiring the LSS by Sep 1, 2015. ______
The region is responsible for a $400 match per LSS per month throughout ______
the 2 year initiative. Areas will be expected to contribute based on the LSS’s needs.
The LSS/AD are responsible for making sure that the Orientation and Cluster ______
Meetings do not interfere with any other Young Life obligations (i.e. assignments, retreats, camps).
*Transportation costs (airfare, mileage) will be the responsibility of the Area/Region ______
Orientation, Cluster Meetings, and the National Latino Summitaremandatory. ______
If missed, the LSS will be released from the program.
Transfers from the LSS account to your area will begin during the month of ______
September’15.
Signature of LSS Applicant Signature of Sponsoring Area Director
Signature of Sponsoring Regional DirectorSignature of Sponsoring FMVP