Opportunities for Civics in Action

For many students, Youth & Government might be your first experience considering what it takes to get involved in the political process. Our clubs and conferences spark a passion for taking  action in your community and Louisiana. Ensuring all students have greater access to civic opportunities is of the utmost importance to our movement; we hope this page will serve as a resource for such opportunities, now and in the future. 

Statewide 

Become a Page in the Senate Legislature Put on a Voter Registration Drive
  • One of the easiest and most direct ways to contribute to our democracy is ensuring maximal voter participation. Organizations across the state are invited to complete the Voter Registration Drive Application through the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State. 

Louisiana Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
  • The Legislative Youth Advisory Council is made up of 21 students, representing Louisiana congressional districts and state programs, and serve a one year term. They are the voice of youth in the legislature. Representatives on the LYAC collaborate throughout the year to generate and lead youth initiatives in Louisiana.
Louisiana Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Program (HOBY)
  • "Founded in 1958, HOBY's mission is to provide lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their highest potential. HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide youth selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences. HOBY also provides adults with opportunities to make a significant impact on the lives of youth by volunteering."
  • If you a sophomore interested in attending the annual Louisiana HOBY Seminar, talk to your counselor about your school's HOBY ambassador selection process. A number of Y&G participants have attended HOBY and attest to its powerful message and experience for emerging Louisiana student leaders.  
Louisiana Association of Student Councils (LASC)
  • The Louisiana Association of Student Councils (LASC) serves as an umbrella organization for all student councils in Louisiana high schools. If you're involved in your school's student council, LASC offers regional workshops and an annual convention where school leaders across Louisiana are able to collaborate and work together to develop stronger student councils. 
Louisiana Boys State / Louisiana Girls State - American Legion
  • "Louisiana Boys State is a leadership development program sponsored by the Louisiana Department of the American Legion. The annual conference cultivates personal growth, civic involvement, and practical governance knowledge in its participants in order to help build up stronger, more well-informed and influential leaders for our communities, our state, and our country"
  • The goal of Louisiana Girls State is to develop leadership and pride in American citizens, educate delegates about our system of government, instill in delegates a greater understanding of American traditions, and stimulate a desire to maintain our democratic government process. 
  • To qualify to attend Louisiana Boys/Girls State, student leaders must have completed their junior year of high school, be interested in government and current events, have high moral character, possess strong leadership abilities, have an above average scholastic standing, and a desire to learn. It is during your Junior year that schools select their representatives, please contact your counselor for more information. 

Baton Rouge

Mayor's Youth Advisory Council
  • "The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council represents and advocates on behalf of the youth in the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. Every high school in EBR Parish has the opportunity to appoint two representatives to serve on this council which will help seek solutions to issues defined by the youth of our community."  http://brgov.com/dept/Mayor/myac/ 
Student Internship Program - City of Baton Rouge Civil Service
  • Under the supervision of the City of Baton Rouge, this cooperative initiative will allow high school and college students to contract with City-Parish departments to gain a working knowledge of our Civil Service System while providing area students with valuable work experience. http://brgov.com/dept/HR/intern.htm

New Orleans

Children and Youth Planning Board
  • "This program assists in the development, implementation and operation of services which encourage positive youth development, reduce youth crime and help curb juvenile delinquency." If you're an alumni an represent stakeholders for assessing the physical, social, behavioral and educational needs of children and youth, this group is committed to making a difference. 
Young Leadership Council (YLC)
  • "Through volunteer-created community projects, the Young Leadership Council (YLC) recruits and retains young professionals to New Orleans to create a positive impact on the quality of life in the region. The oldest, independent young professionals' organization in the country, we have raised more than $25 million to develop leadership through community projects in and around the New Orleans area since 1986."

St. Tammany

Northshore Community Foundation
  • The Northshore Community Foundation's mission is to unite human and financial resources to enhance the quality of life on the Northshore. This organization is involved in a number of community efforts, including providing opportunities, grants, and scholarships to youth. ​