Yes, it is more work and takes more time to develop the relationships you need to bring youth and adults together as partners on community projects.  Is it worth the extra effort?  If your community wants to attract and retain young people, it very likely is worth it.

Young people have incredible talents to bring to any group or organization.  Community leaders often get comfortable with using status quo methods to make decisions or determine outcomes.  Youth approach problem solving and decision making in new ways.  They also bring different points of view and direct questioning to the group process – often resulting in a more diverse and inclusive view of the many possibilities for approaching opportunities and challenges.

Orientation, mentoring, and written expectations for new members should be a part of every board or committee, but these guidance techniques are especially important when involving new youth members in an existing group.  If word gets out in the social circles of young people that serving on a certain board or committee is a great experience, the group will have no problem recruiting future youth members and retaining them.   However, word can also spread rapidly if young people have a bad experience.  Organizing a group to accept younger members needs to be done well in the beginning.

Youth involvement, if done correctly, helps both young people and adults gain valuable leadership skills and life experiences.