Your interGEN Knowledge Bank
co-authors Wendy Schaetzel Lesko and Denise Webb
A paradigm shift is happening. Organizations recognize the irreplaceable insights, intuition and ideas of young people to drive their mission. Based on over 80 interviews with senior leaders, managers and teens, we’ve identified 16 major reasons why organizations are bringing young people in-house. This visionary commitment to embed young people as thought partners and co-strategists requires new policies and practices.
“Investing in the active participation of young people is not just a choice, but an imperative” – CEO of environmental education nonprofit
“An entire community that makes up our world…is not being accurately included.” – High school student
Why Aren’t We Doing This!
Collaborating with Minors in Major Ways
* Get INSPIRED + REIGNITED !
“A moral and practical guide to youth infusion in our organizations. So many of us serve youth but have yet to create pathways for their voice and participation in governance, strategy, funding decisions and programs.”
“Collaborating with Minors in Major Ways is chock-full of highly compelling case studies of paying youth to drive strategic objectives, as well as practical considerations for creating the infrastructure to make this work. I know I will come back to this book again, again, and again.”
16 Reasons + 16 Commitments + 116 Quotes + 160 pages = $16
Book Table of Contents:
Open Your Mind PART I: Justifying Why You Should Do This PART II: Tearing Down Walls PART III: Molding Architecture and Attitudes PART IV: Recruiting Your interGEN Workforce PART V: Coaching and Co-Piloting PART VI: Maintaining the Momentum of Youth Infusion
Some highlights of this 160-page paperback that describe why and how to navigate this groundbreaking terrain inclcde:
- 16 major reasons to bring minors in-house
- 16 organizational commitments to tap the teen knowledge bank
- 30+ strategies to recruit a truly representative teen cohort
- 24 communication techniques that show respect for all
- Nuggets of practical advice, activities and key points include:
- Tools to reveal biases and assess your organization’s innovative spirit
- Who are the “unseen” youths, where to find them and why you need to include them now – more than ever
- What not to say to teens (and to, well, just about anyone!)
- How to work with HR and compliance experts to develop safe policies to protect minors, adult staff and your organization
- Tips for teen-sensitive onboarding, energized meetings and welcoming work environments
* Give this GIFT to Your Board + Colleagues
“Youth advocates, political activists and campaign strategists, social workers, teachers, and civic officials of all kinds will find Why Aren’t We Doing This an indispensable and practical guide to Why Aren’t We Doing This an indispensable and practical guide to acknowledging how, as the Foreword reads, young peoples’ lives “have value NOW.”
“Congratulations on your new book and for serving as the brightest example of how we can better incorporate teenagers into the workplace in meaningful ways.”
“I have so enjoyed reading Why Aren’t We Doing This! and want you to know that I already am applying some of the principles!
Only $16 + Bulk Buy Discounts
* Join our YOUTH INFUSION HUB
We invite you to our LinkedIN group to connect with others working toward making this remarkable movement the norm! Visionary leaders and practitioners as well as teens share insights and resources including podcasts, videos, research and more.
*Introduce Your InterGEN Progress to the Movement
Addie Lentzer’s blog describes how she is working side by side with adults at the national organization OUR TURN. We invite you to submit a blog about your efforts to bring young people into the heart of your neighborhood group or coalition, nonprofit or other institution.
*Help Spread the Word!
How often do a 19-year-old and 73-year-old write a book with the ambitious goal to re make youth infusion the norm! Please take a minute to post a review on Amazon about our 160-page paperback.
More praise . . .
“The exclusion of youth from public and private decision-making harms all of us. To live up to our values and ensure better outcomes, we need to engage the millions of Americans under eighteen. Denise Webb and Wendy Schaetzel Lesko offer a rousing call-to-action for collaborating with young people and a practical guide to changing how our organizations function. Open the book and open your mind. ”
Adam Benforado, New York Times bestselling author of “Unfair” and “A Minor Revolution: How Prioritizing Kids Benefits Us All”
Youth Infusion 