Mandate
The mandate of BYTE’s Youth Advisory Committee is to ensure that youth are involved in the decisions made within the organization. The YAC will provide a youth perspective and advise the Board, through reports to the staff team facilitators. The YAC will be informed and involved on all aspects of BYTE.

Mission Statement
BYTE’s Youth Advisory Committee is determined to address the issues facing youth, enhance opportunities and ultimately provide a voice for the youth. YAC intends to achieve this by fostering relationships between youth and the community at large and by initiating and supporting youth oriented events and programs. YAC’s key values are leadership, integrity, respect and innovation.

Key Values
BYTE’s Youth Advisory Committee believes strongly in the key values of Respect, Integrity, Leadership and Innovation.
Respect – Treat everyone including ourselves with dignity, fairness, consistency and consideration.
Integrity – To be honest, ethical and committed.
Leadership – To positively empower youth in our Territory.
Innovation – To initiate change by employing new and creative methods and ideas.

Values
We believe . . .

• that youth are integral parts of our communities and, as such, have inherent rights and responsibilities;
• that youth should be encouraged and given the opportunity to take a leading role in issues which affect their lives;
• that youth should be consulted whenever decisions that affect them are being made;
• youth are able to make positive contributions to our communities;
•  that an investment in young people is an investment in the future; and,
• youth are diverse and there is strength in diversity.

Committee Goals

• To provide direct input into board decision making processes on issues affecting Youth and the organization’s focus;
• To advocate on behalf of youth in our target range;
• To develop and maintain effective communications with youth and youth-serving organizations;
• To promote and recognize the abilities and contributions of youth in our communities;
• To foster initiatives for and by youth; and,
• To ensure diversity in the membership, the selection process considers a number of factors including, but not limited to, geography, gender, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation and ability.

Composition of Committee
The YAC will be comprised of 10 members, 12 to 18 years of age. The structure of the YAC should mirror the structure of the board and other committees with either a chairperson and vice-chairperson or co-chairs elected from the general membership. The term of the chair and vice-chair will be one year. The committee will also include at least one and no more than three councillors, appointed at each term. Meeting minutes and reports will be prepared and distributed with the assistance of the BYTE staff team.

Code of Conduct

• Everyone has a right to her/his own opinion;
• Respect is expected from all those who attend YAC meetings;
• Everyone has the right to speak without interruption; and,
• Chairs/speakers/staff are to be respected.

Decision Making Process
Each meeting must obtain quorum before commencing and decisions must be made by majority vote. Quorum is 50% plus one. Only the members present at the meeting may vote.

Representation and Membership
The membership of the YAC should, where possible, represent the range of diverse individuals that live in and make up the Territory. The committee should also try to ensure that members come from different schools, youth organizations, and geographic areas and reflect the Territory’s diversity.

Term of Membership
Members of the YAC will be appointed for a term to coincide with the term of Board Members or until such time as a successor is appointed. Members who wish/need to resign from the Committee, prior to the end of the term may do so by submitting their resignation in writing.