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Graphic. What it means to be a CYPT Voting Member, Children and Youth Planning Table

Voting Member Organizations

Voting Member Organizations are those that are intentionally invested in the strategic direction and future of the Children and Youth Planning Table. They seek intentional linkages to the work of the Table and their organization. 

A room full of people sitting at tables in groups discussing.

Benefits of Becoming a Voting Member

  • A broader and richer community-wide perspective on child and youth well-being
  • An opportunity for input and influence into how we can collectively take actions that prioritize the well-being of all children and youth in Waterloo Region
  • Avoiding duplicating work by having a greater awareness of other child and youth well-being efforts
  • Stronger relationships and networks with those working in the child and youth well-being space
  • Opportunities for leadership, and for engaging with other leaders in the system of services and supports for children and youth

Voting Member Organization Roles & Responsibilities

  • Aspires to the Children and Youth Planning Table’s Vision
  • Actively considers how their organization’s work fits in with the broader system of services and supports for children and youth
  • Considers opportunities to do work differently and take actions that prioritize the well-being of all children and youth (alignment with the CYPT Mission).
  • Looks for opportunities to align the organization’s work to move the needle on measures within the nine dimensions of child and youth well-being.
  • Designates a two Voting Member Representatives (primary and secondary) for their organization. These representatives will adhere to the roles and responsibilities of Voting Member Representatives (outlined below)
  • Votes/endorses/participates in CYPT requests to Voting Member Organizations (requests to share CYPT communications, etc.)
  • Actively contributes to the CYPT’s work (providing staff time for groups, providing meeting space, providing/sharing in-house resources, etc.)
A photo collage of people chatting, networking, sitting at tables discussing, and listening to a presentation.
Collage of various photos of adults and young adults discussing and sitting with each other

Voting Member Representative Roles & Responsibilities

  • Looks for meaningful opportunities to work differently together in the broader system of services and supports for children, youth and families
  • Intentionally looks beyond their role, organization, and/or sector for the purpose of system-level conversation
  • Stays informed about the CYPT’s work (reading our email bulletin and news)
  • Acts as a connection point for information between the CYPT and their organization
  • Actively gathers input from other members of their organization to inform the work of the CYPT
  • Participates in Voting Member activities and provides official vote/endorsement from the lens of what is in the best interest of advancing the Vision and Mission of the Children and Youth Planning Table
  • Provides sign-off on behalf of the organization (as requested)
  • Shares feedback via a survey once a year on their participation as a Voting Member Organization
  • Declares any conflict of interest for any item in which they or their organization would have a direct financial or vested interest in a specific outcome. In these cases, the individual will not take part in the discussion or the final decision for that item (if that is the will of the group)

Becoming a Voting Member

Voting Membership is open to any organization who sees their work as aligning with the CYPT’s vision and mission, as well as the CYPT’s Shared Measurement Framework (moving the needle on at least one of the nine dimensions of child and youth well-being).

 

Interested organizations will contact CYPT Staff, complete an application form, then CYPT Staff (and Steering Committee if necessary) will review. Voting membership is considered active until the next Charter endorsement takes place, until the organization deems it no longer a fit, or expectations around active participation are not fulfilled.

A group of people sitting around a circular table smiling and chatting. In the background are various people in a banquet hall.
Two women sitting at a table with a computer in front of them smiling at the camera. In the background are people also talking and networking.

Accountability & Active Participation

Collective success comes through active participation of all involved. For those who do not find it possible to actively participate, including:

  • voting/endorsing
  • attending Voting Member meetings at least 75% of the time over a rolling 24 month period
  • participating in asks from the CYPT like surveys or circulating communications

 

the Co-Chairs or Manager of the CYPT will reach out to the organization to discuss the fit of on-going Voting Member status and any concerns on the part of the organization. If the participation rate does not increase, general participation status will be put in place. Organizations are welcome to submit a re-application for Voting Member designation for review and approval by the CYPT Steering Committee.

 

With reference to the CYPT’s work, Voting Member Representatives are accountable to their own organization, as well to their fellow Voting Member Organizations of the Children and Youth Planning Table.

Voting and Endorsement

A group of adults sitting around a table doing a group activity with what appears to be paper puzzle pieces.

Voting Member Organizations of the Children and Youth Planning Table strive to make informed decisions. They are a key decision making body for the CYPT, and in turn, will make decisions considering input from the broad group of CYPT participants and the community at large.

Three people sitting around a table in a discussion

When Voting Member Organizations are asked to provide a vote or endorsement, they will be asked to consider if the decision/direction in the best interest for the work of the Children and Youth Planning Table.

A group of people sitting in a square made of long tables. At the front of the room is a powerpoint projected with logos of waterloo region organizations.

A decision/direction is considered supported when at least 51% of all Voting Member Organizations are in favour. If less than half of all Voting Member Organizations participate in a vote/endorsement request, a decision/direction cannot move forward. Even if all participants are in favour, if there are not enough votes then an action cannot proceed.

CYPT Meetings & Events

The CYPT comes together regularly for meetings and events throughout the year.

A room full of people sitting at tables in groups discussing.

Voting Member Meetings: Open to CYPT Voting Members only. Generally focused on networking, strategy, and/or capacity building.

A group of young people around a table. They are writing answers to a question on a large piece of paper using multicolored markers.

All Member Meetings: General meetings for anyone affiliated with or interested in the CYPT. 

Two young adults sitting behind a table for the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre

Belonging Expo: An event focused around community organizations and their program/service offerings that are centred around young people’s sense of belonging and well-being.

A man standing at a podium on a stage speaking. Projected on a large screen is a man calling in via Zoom.

Annual Forum / Conference: An event where CYPT members come together to learn, network, and mobilize around young people’s belonging and well-being.

 

 

Meeting Schedule

Voting Member Organizations are asked to participate at 2-3 full CYPT membership meetings a year, as well as 2-3 Voting Member-specific meetings a year. They may send one of the following people to these meetings:

 

  • the primary Voting Member Representative
  • the secondary Voting Member Representative
  • a designate the Voting Member Organization deems as suitable

Upcoming Meetings
A crowd of adults sitting, listening to an adult male presenting
Two women standing together smiling beside a table with a bright pink table cloth that says "Children and youth planning table of Waterloo Region." Behind them is a tall banner that says "Youth Impact Survey" and three large papers stuck to the wall to write ideas about child and youth well-being.

Staff Support

Children and Youth Planning Table staff may support the work of the Voting Member Organizations in the following ways:

 

  • Sharing information so that it is easier to stay informed on the CYPT’s work and to provide meaningful vote/endorsement/participation
  • Creating voting/endorsement/participation processes that are meaningful, respectful and informed. This includes arranging for alternative methods to participate/vote/endorse (as requested and as possible) and ensuring thoughtful use of time
  • Creating processes and opportunities for organizations to strengthen connections to each other and to the CYPT’s work
  • Requesting input specific from the vantage point of Voting Member Organizations
  • Providing onboarding for new Voting Member Organizations
  • Creating inclusive and welcoming spaces

Become a Voting Member

We'd love to have you! Contact a member of the CYPT Backbone Team and we'll be in touch with you soon.
Contact us

Other Ways to Get Involved

Not ready to become a Voting Member yet? No problem! There are lots of other ways to get involved.

Get involved