Youth Leadership Council Application

YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL APPLICATION
USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

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MISSION STATEMENT | DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES
REQUIREMENTS BY COMMITTEE | APPLICATION

QUICK LINKS

MISSION STATEMENT
DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES
REQUIREMENTS BY COMMITTEE
APPLICATION

JOIN THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FOR 2024/2025.

Please read the information below and fill out the form at the bottom of the page to submit your interest in becoming a member of the USTA Southern California Youth Leadership Council for the 2024/2025 term. The application period opens July 5th.

If you have any questions during or after the application process, please reach out to Sammie Xiao at sxiao@scta.usta.com.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Youth Leadership Council empowers junior tennis players to take on leadership roles and amplify their impact on issues about which they are passionate across Southern California. The Youth Leadership Council is dedicated to service beyond the court. The Council is committed to upholding a standard of excellence in representing USTA Southern California and providing positive experiences for all players and community members who interact with the organization.

YLC members have the opportunity to work with USTA Southern California staff and gain experience in different facets of the tennis industry. Members have the opportunity to earn volunteer hours for the time spent at in-person events.

COMMITMENT

September 2024-April 2025
– Fall Term: September-November 2024
– Spring Term: February-April 2025

– Virtual weekly meetings on Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:15 PM
– Two mandatory in-person meetings per term.
– All committee members must complete USTA SafePlay training.

In-Person Meetings:

– September 7 @ CSUN
– November 23 @ TBD (DEI Tournament + meeting)
– February TBD, will announce by Nov (Doubles partner play + meeting)
– April TBA, will announce by Nov (end of year party)

DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES

MARKETING & ENGAGEMENT

Help us grow the game to inspire healthier individuals and communities across Southern California.

Brief summary of responsibilities: use Youth Leadership Council digital and social channels to reach a new audience and educate and inspire Gen Z players and future players with their unique perspective (utilize memes, trends), represent the USTA SoCal brand at tournaments and events, providing fresh ideas to help the section continue to innovate.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility are three core values of the Community Department. The Community team works with schools, afterschool programs, nonprofits, parks & recreation departments, and other providers/organizations to increase accessibility to tennis for all, particularly in underserved communities. The focus is on fun, social and recreational play to bring families together through various community/cultural events throughout the year.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

– Community/cultural events support (event set-up, check-in/registration table, giveaways/prizes, event take-down, on-court help)
– Connecting with schools/afterschool/parks/nonprofit programs (research, outreach)
– Community Fundraisers
– Community Newsletter (compile info for the public on upcoming virtual or in-person community/recreational/free events, opportunities, fun updates, photos, tennis trivia)
– Collaboration with other tennis or nonprofit organizations to serve the community.

COMPETITION

Free L7 Initiative: To provide play and tournament opportunities to players new to tournaments focusing on the underserved areas and to also increase the section’s unique participation numbers to attain more quota spots for the L1 National tournaments. We will be targeting new tournament players who have not played a tennis tournament before in Boys and Girls 16’s and 18’s.

Dates (NOTE: YLC will only be involved with tournaments run in conjunction with DEI Committee – dates to be determined)

– July 6-7: West High School in Torrance
– August 18
– September 21
– October 26-27
– November 17

Summary of Responsibilities

– Desk help: Scores, Match Intros, Court Assignments

Event Support

Girls Pete Brown First Serve HS Tournament
– Desk help: Scores, Match Intros, Court Assignment
– August 31 at West Torrance HS
– September 7 at West Torrance HS
– September 14 at Marina HS (Huntington Beach)
– October 5 at Marina HS (Huntington Beach)
– October 12 at Marina HS (Huntington Beach)

Kats Kup
– Desk help: Scores, Match Intros, Court Assignments, lunches/pizza party
– Dates: September 6-8 at Marina High School

Doubles Sectionals
– Setup, desk help (Scores, Court Assignments)
– Dates: October 26-27; November 2-3 in North OC/ Lakewood area

Boys Pete Brown First Serve HS Tournament
– Desk help: Scores, Match Intros, Court Assignments
– Locations: West Torrance HS and Marina HS
– Dates: Spring 2025 (usually a few Saturdays in late Feb, March, or early April)

Junior Circuits

REQUIREMENTS BY COMMITTEE

MARKETING & ENGAGEMENT

– The committee is open to rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in Fall 2024.

– Every committee member contributes a minimum three pieces of content per term that educates, entertains or inspires, to the YLC platforms each term (written article/interview, social media graphic, Instagram or TikTok video, event photography, stories). Total six minimum over the year.

– The committee submits one Instagram reel each month to USTA Southern California Instagram account. Subject must connect to our section’s goals (sportsmanship, wellness, community).

– Each committee member is expected to attend all in person meetings and all virtual meetings. There will be two in-person meetings each term. You will be expected to attend both meetings, one at the beginning of the term and an “end-of-year” meeting/party. There will be one weekly 30-minute virtual meeting. You are allotted three virtual absences, anything further must be approved in advance and may be a discussion for continuing on the council. Failure to get approval for additional absences will result in removal from the council.

The Marketing Committee will provide any additional support to other committees as needed.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

– The committee is open to rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in Fall 2024.

– There will be two in-person meetings each term. You will be expected to attend both meetings, one at the beginning of the term and an “end-of-year” meeting/party.

– There will be one weekly virtual meeting. You will be expected to attend and participate in 9 out of 12 virtual meetings. Attendance will be taken.

– You will be expected to commit to 15 total hours at WEEKEND events per term (about 4-5 hours/event = 3-5 events, typically held on Saturdays)

– In-person events: October 21 @ CSULA (Hispanic Heritage Event); November 23 @ TBD (DEI Tournament); More events TBA.

COMPETITION

– The committee is open to rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in Fall 2024.

– The Competition committee is responsible for upholding the standard of excellence that players recognize and expect from USTA Southern California.

– As part of their commitment, Competition committee members will be required to attend an in-person training session with USTA staff prior to working with staff at the above listed events.

– Committee members are expected to be available to attend a minimum of two events per term, for a total of four events for the year. Events are generally on the weekend, currently confirmed dates are listed above.

STUDENT INFORMATION
NAME(Required)

EMAIL ADDRESS(Required)

PHONE NUMBER(Required)
ADDRESS(Required)
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

SCHOOL(Required)

AGE/GRADE LEVEL(Required)

RACE/ETHNICITY(Required)

GENDER(Required)

DATE OF BIRTH(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY

PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION
NAME(Required)

RELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT (PARENT, AUNT, UNCLE, ETC.)(Required)

EMAIL ADDRESS(Required)

PHONE NUMBER(Required)
CONSENT(Required)
I agree to the consent policy listed below.
To be completed by the applicant's parent or guardian.

I understand that my child is applying to become a USTA SoCal Youth Leadership Council (YLC) Member. If they are selected, I will support them in the work of the YLC. As a SoCal Youth Leadership Council member, they would be part of a team of Southern California youth working together to represent their peers across the section. YLC members are expected to be leaders and act as positive role-models at functions, as well as in their community and school.

I understand YLC members must attend two in-person meetings per term, not including their committee responsibilities, which may or may not include weekend events. I will support the child in making travel arrangements and/or contribute to offset travel expenses to functions. I will be responsible for signing photo/video release forms, medical/media release forms allowing my child’s participation at YLC and/or USTA SoCal events.

Applicants are expected to have good grades and have no sportsmanship issues with USTA Southern California. I understand that submission of this form does not guarantee a spot on the USTA SoCal Youth Leadership Council.
TYPE YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME HERE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE CONDITIONS.(Required)

RETURNING APPLICANTS
WERE YOU A MEMBER OF THE YLC IN 2023/2024?(Required)
If YES, TELL US ONE SPECIFIC PROJECT YOU WORKED ON WHILE YOU WERE ON LAST YEAR'S COUNCIL? HOW DID YOU CONTRIBUTE AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?(Required)
COMMITTEE SELECTION
I AM APPLYING FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE (SELECT ONE)(Required)

Marketing & Engagement

Community Engagement

Competition
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR A LEADERSHIP POSITION ON YOUR COMMITTEE (PRESIDENT, VP, ETC.)? YOU WILL NEED TO PREPARE A PITCH AND ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD DURING THE FIRST IN-PERSON MEETING OF THE TERM.(Required)
BACKGROUND QUESTIONS
Please limit your answers to 250 words or less.
WHY WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL? WHY ARE YOU APPLYING FOR THIS PARTICULAR COMMITTEE?(Required)
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TENNIS EXPERIENCE (HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS, JTT, NJTL, ETC.)(Required)
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE. PROVIDE ONE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU'VE DEMONSTRATED ON-COURT LEADERSHIP AND ONE EXAMPLE OF OFF-COURT LEADERSHIP.(Required)
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF TENNIS?(Required)
TELL US ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT.(Required)
VIDEO SUBMISSION
IMPORTANT! In lieu of an interview, please submit a video answering the following prompt:

If you could grab lunch with any person past or present, who would you choose and why? (Video max: two minutes).

When completed, please send your video to Sammie Xiao at sxiao@scta.usta.com.
VIDEO SUBMISSION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT(Required)
I have completed and submitted my video response.
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