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Starting a Youth Justice Committee in Your Community

The Calgary Youth Justice Society is instrumental in providing support and leadership to communities who are interested in establishing a Youth Justice Committee. The Society will be involved in the process to the extent that is desired from the group.

1. Forming a Steering Committee
Interested residents from a community or a group of communities establish a steering committee. This steering committee is a working group that writes the constitution for the Youth Justice Committee which reflects the needs of the community, determines membership criteria, executive positions, mission, purpose and operating procedures, etc. An acting Chairperson is appointed until the Committee is formalized.
Sample YJC Constitution

2. Applying for Designation
Once the Constitution has been approved by the members of the Steering Committee, letters of support are requested from the Calgary Police Service and the Crown Prosecutor's Office. A copy of the Constitution and the Letters of Support are forwarded to the Solicitor General of Alberta for consideration of official designation under Section 18 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

3. Recruiting members and training
While waiting for Designation, the Steering Committee works towards informing the communities in their established boundaries of the initiative. This is often achieved through public information nights, community newsletter ads, presentations to local community groups, etc.

4. Once members have been recruited, training is arranged.
Training takes place over the course of three evenings. Facilitators in Calgary involve the Calgary Youth Justice Society, the Alnerta Solicitor General, the City of Calgary Youth Probation and YJC Volunteers.

5. Formal Designation
Once the committee is designated by the Solicitor General, the members of the Committee become volunteers of the Provincial Government and are covered for liability insurance and some benefits, if injured while performing volunteer duties. The Youth Justice Committee can now begin operating by receiving referrals through the Extra Judicial Sanctions Program.