Apply to the YLC! ~ 2023 Edition

 

(Image Description: A group of eight YLC members and staff are gathered around a craft table. YLC members are wearing bright yellow shirts and they are all smiling.)

Apply to the YLC!

2023 Edition

Hello Best Buddies Leaders!

We hope that everyone has gotten some rest and become resettled back into their hometowns following the crazy weekend that is BBLC. As your summer starts to gradually come to a close, we are excited to be once again opening up the YLC application! This year, YLC applications will be open from July 17 through August 20, and we invite all Best Buddies leaders from junior high and up to apply for this incredible opportunity. 

In this blog, I'll be breaking down the application and answering some frequently asked questions about what we do on the YLC!

Application Information

Every summer, the Best Buddies Young Leaders Council (YLC) invites Best Buddies leaders from around the world to apply to join the council for a two-year term. Thus, if admitted to the council this year, members will start their term in September 2023 and end their term September 2025.

You can find the link to our information page and online application HERE. The first step in the application process is our online application form, which asks applicants a few questions about their Best Buddies involvement, leadership experience, and how they approached and navigated leadership and extracurricular situations in the past. We also highly encourage you to attach a cover letter and resume to your application. Both of these resources will paint a better picture of you as an applicant and what perspective you might provide to the YLC! Note: please have somebody else (family member, teacher, advisor) read over your online application before you submit. Treat our application like you would a job application, as this will strengthen your prospects of being admitted!

Once you submit your online application, three YLC members will be randomly assigned to read and score your application. Then, we typically select half of the applicants to take part in the second round of the application: interviews! We conduct interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the applicant and what skills they could bring to the council. To prepare for the interview, we suggest you do a mock interview with a friend or family member, where they ask you potential questions. Additionally, make sure that you arrive 5-10 minutes early to your interview, and most importantly, be confident in yourself!

Typically, we welcome about 10-15 new YLC members each year. This new class represents a diverse array of individuals of all abilities coming from all across the world! Applying for the Young Leaders Council and being accepted is a tremendous opportunity, as our acceptance rates over the past few years have ranged from 9% - 20%. Only the best of the best are accepted.

(Image Description: A group of fifteen YLC members are posing and smiling in a photo right outside of an assembly hall at Indiana University.)

To raise awareness of the opportunity to apply to the YLC, chapters can enter the ‘YLC Chapter Raffle’ to win $350. Each chapter can have up to 40 entries in the drawing. All members in each chapter can help reach the chapter’s goal of 40 entries. Details on how the money can be spent and how to earn entries please visit the Best Buddies YLC linktree!

Application Information Session (8/16 at 8:30pm EST): The YLC will also be hosting a Q&A night on August 16th for interested applicants to ask questions about the YLC. Details on Zoom links can be found in our Linktree. If you have a question about the YLC or simply want to meet some members, feel free to hop on!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have a question about the application or the YLC in general? Check it out below!

What is the YLC?

The Young Leaders Council is an international, diverse group of leaders of all abilities who bridge the gap between the participant perspective and staff experience for Best Buddies International initiatives. We are a leadership development program taking participants' interests and polishing their abilities to be more effective leaders in their communities. One will gain real-world skillsets through research, survey data analysis, graphic design and/or designing policy proposals for Best Buddies International.

Where can I find out more specifics about the operations of the YLC?

To gain a better understanding of who the YLC is, what we do, and the initiatives we have been working on this past term, please refer to the "General YLC Information," as it will provide extensive information about what it is like being a member of the YLC. In the Linktree, you can check out our annual reports to see the impact we are making across Best Buddies International. You can also view our application report from last year to learn more about the criteria for being accepted.

Who can apply?

We HIGHLY encourage ALL participant leaders to apply, Chapter leaders: President, VP, Secretaries, Ambassadors, and Student Advisory Board members (if you served on committees, state or chapter and are interested in applying, please contact us at, ylc@bestbuddies.org to see if you are eligible). 

What is the time commitment like?

Time commitment varies based on which initiative(s) you are assigned to at the start of the term. Members will typically serve on 2-3 initiatives throughout their two-year term. Overall though, you can expect the time commitment to be about one hour per week. While we want qualified applicants who have impressive backgrounds, we also want to make sure incoming members have enough time to devote to council tasks and events.

What do YLC members typically do after their two-year term ends?

YLC members go on to do great things both during and after their term comes to an end. As a council, we have raised $41,787 for Best Buddies International, won several awards such as Chapter President of the Year and Champion of the Year, opened several Student Advisory Boards across the country, attended impressive colleges and graduate programs, and much more. Additionally, serving on the YLC can be a great addition to your resume and future college and job applications! Above all though, the YLC is an amazing network to meet new individuals who are passionate about inclusion and pushing the Best Buddies mission forward.

If you have any questions or concerns about the YLC, feel free to comment them below! We will try to answer them as soon as possible. Remember that the YLC application closes on August 20th, so be sure to get your application in before then! We look forward to reading your application and learning more about you. :)

In friendship,

Nathan Moldavsky

YLC Member, Wisconsin