Tourette Syndrome Youth Ambassador Program

Leadership Training Conference Information

March 29-31, 2011

Thank you for your interest in becoming a part of the Tourette Syndrome Association’s Youth AmbassadorProgram! The 2011 Leadership Training Program is generously funded by Diane and Darryl Mallah in memory of her mother, Eleanor Wachter. TSA also thanks the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation/Robert Belvedere, and The Ballard Family Foundation/Karen, Alan, and Michael Hart, for their contributions to this program.

The Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Program seeks one youth/parent (or adult guardian) team from each TSA chapter or state not served by a chapter at the Training. The two-dayLeadership Training Conference for teens and their parent/adult guardian will take place March 29-31, 2011. The Training will be held at the Capitol Skyline Hotel in Washington, DC. To be considered for thisprogram, applications must be submitted to your local Chapter(or to the TSA National Office for states not currently served by a chapter)no later thanMonday, December 6, 2010. Selected candidates will be notified, based on the Chapter’s decisions, by Wednesday, December 29, 2010.

What is the Youth Ambassador Program?

The TSA Youth Ambassador Program gives teens with TS, their siblings, friends and classmates the preparation they need to speak about TS before their peers at school, sports leagues, scout troops, camps and after school programs. Understanding and tolerance are the program’s goals.

What is the TSA Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Conference?

The TSA Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Conference is a two-daycomprehensive program aimed at training exceptional teen leaders and their accompanying parent/adult guardian to become a TSA Youth Ambassador Team.

The program includes support on public speaking, guidance on how to give a presentation on TS and presentation logistics, participation in TSA's annual Trip to the Hill, including the Congressional Briefing, and ice-breakers and other fun activities for participating teens.

Who should apply to attend the Leadership Training Conference?

Teens13– 17 years of agewith or without TSmay apply, so long as they are committed to the goals of the program and want to help promote understanding of the disorder. Also, the partnering adult does not need to be the teen's parent – they can be another responsible adult who has the consent of the parent. Participation in the Youth Ambassador Program requiresa strong commitment from both the teen and the parent/adult guardian to take the time to be trained and follow through on the program’s responsibilities. Youth Ambassador teams must bemembers of the TSA. (Joining TSA is easy. Just click on the Join/Donate button on TSA’s Web site Home Page – Scholarship memberships are available.)

What happens if I am approved to attend the Leadership Training Conference?

Your Youth Ambassador Team may be approved for attending the Leadership Training Conference representing your TSA Chapter (or your state) as either aFunded Team or as an Additional Team.

What are the benefits of becoming a TSA Youth Ambassador?

This is an excellent opportunity for interested teens to learn public speaking, build friendships with other teens involved in the program, and represent the TS community as you raise awareness through YA Program activities.

What are the March 2011Training logistics?

Dates:March 29-31, 2011

Location:Capitol Skyline Hotel, 10 “I” Street, Washington, DC 20024

Costs:Costs which are coveredby TSAfree of charge to Funded Teams:

  • Hotel accommodations for nights of Tuesday, March 29and Wednesday, March 30for each youth/adult team (additional nights are at the team’s personal expense)
  • Coach airfare for teen
  • Conference-sponsored meals for youth/adult team
  • Training program materials
  • Ground transportation to Capitol Hill for Trip to the Hill

Items that are at attendees own expense include:

  • Non-conference-sponsored meals and expenses for
    youth/adult team
  • Airfare for parent/adult guardian
  • Any nights that are part of an extended stay

What are the costs for anAdditional Team?

If a Chapter has additional qualified applicants and feels that the Chapter would benefit from sending an additional team, costs must be covered by the Chapter and/or the team members themselves.

Expenses include:

  • Hotel - for2 nights, plus taxes city charges
  • Leadership Training Conference Fee (includes Hotel food and beverages)
  • Materials & Trip to the Hill transportation
  • Airfare and any additional expenses for non-conference related meals and activities.

1