Welcome to the FIRST EVER Youth Leadership Summit!

Agenda

  • 8:00 AM - Check-In & Breakfast

  • 9:00 AM - Welcome

  • 9:15 AM - Opening Speaker - Gustavo Torrez, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

Young people are powerful and effective voices in the fight against tobacco use. They educate their peers and send potent messages to decision makers about the need to protect children from tobacco addiction. Through our youth advocacy programs, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids strives to foster a new generation of young leaders and coordinators who will continue the fight against tobacco till the job is done.

  • 9:50 AM - Breakout #1

  • 10:40 AM - Breakout #2

  • 11:30 AM - Lunch & Resource Fair

Over the lunch break attendees can expect:
  1. Escape the Vape video contest recognition
  2. Photobooth
  3. Lawn Games
  4. Trivia and Prizes
  5. All Day Art Project
  6. Resource Fair including:
  • My Life My Quit
  • Masonic Cancer Center Research Labs: Dr. Stepanov & Dr. Pennell
  • M-ASCEND Internship at the University of Minnesota
  • University of Minnesota Admissions Office
  • Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
  • Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota
  • The Hormel Institute
  • American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
  • 1:00 PM - Breakout #3

  • 1:50 PM - Breakout #4

  • 2:50 PM - Leadership in Action - PH Moua, Olmstead County Public Health and former Youth Ambassador & Youth Leadership Panel

A panel of young leaders will share their personal experiences advocating for change, educating their peers, and how they are using these skills today.

  • 3:30 PM - Closing Performance by Ikidowin Peer Education Program and Youth Theater Acting Ensemble

This performance is led by the Sir Curtis Kirby III, Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe and African American descent is enjoying his 7th year directing the Ikidowin Youth Theater Ensemble.

  • 4:00 PM - Adjourn

Breakout Session Details

Attendees will move in groups to participate in four breakout sessions including the following topics: These breakouts will be repeated throughout the day.

Breakout A: Your Voice, Your Power - Britta Babel, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Room: Johnson Great Room (Sessions 3 - 4)

In this session, participants will learn community advocacy knowledge specifically how an idea becomes policy and how your power as a citizen can be harnessed to improve your community.

Breakout B: Engaging Community - Cecelia Schaefer and Youth from My Place

Room: Heritage Gallery

During this session, presenters will show how youth can lead an effective communication plan and leave them with tools to create their own campaign. The Mankato tobacco coalition created and launched a video featuring youth from My Place and Mankato State University that aimed to message around flavored tobacco use in the community.

Breakout C: Culture Is Prevention - Curtis Kirby and Youth from the Indigenous Peoples Task Force

Room: Ski U Mah Room

Participants will learn and practice effective storytelling as a way to engage their culture and communities. Cultural connectedness is a protective factor in reducing the risk of youth engaging in substance use. Theater or storytelling is an age-old method of knowledge transfer in many cultures and today is an outlet for youth to express themselves creatively while also building awareness on important topics like the harms of vaping.

Breakout D: Stand UP, Speak Out - Katie Engman and Anna Grace Hottinger, Association for Non-Smokers Minnesota

Room: Johnson Great Room (Sessions 1 - 2)

In this community advocacy session, youth leaders will prepare to change the world by footsteps, stories, and your voice as a young person.

Breakout E: Developing Authentic Leadership Skills for Effective Advocacy - Joané Booth

Room: Minnesota Room

They to successful leadership is influence, not authority." - Kenneth H. Blanchard. Come learn about what it takes to be a true leader who is not only respected, but influential in leading advocacy efforts. You will leave this seminar knowing the difference between and activist and a "whack-tavist" along with a completed leadership plan to put into action.

Breakout F: Support Not Suspension - Mohamed Mustafa and Moorhead Youth Advocates

Room: Swain Room

In this session, participants will practice skills on how to partner with school leadership to support students. School policies regulating the use and possession of commercial tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, often contain punitive measures for student violations. Suspension and expulsion are sometimes used to enforce these policies. However, suspensions are counterproductive and harmful. The most effective approaches to helping youth quit tobacco are through counseling and education.

Location & Parking

Location

McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus (east bank)

200 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Parking

There are several parking options nearby McNamara Alumni Center. Parking fees set by the Parking and Transportation Office are typically $3/hour with a daily maximum of $15. They are listed below in order of proximity to the McNamara Alumni Center:

University Avenue Ramp (1926 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455)

Washington Avenue Ramp (501 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455)

Oak Street Ramp (401 SE Oak Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455)

Other Transportation

The Green Line light rail stops about a black from McNamara Alumni Center at the East Bank Station (about a 5 minute walk). For specific route and schedule information visit metrotransit.org.

Metro Transit buses 2, 113, 114, 115, 465, and 475 stop just outside McNamara Alumni Center on Oak Street and Washington Avenue. Stop ID 41248 (south) and 40278 (north). For specific route and schedule information visit metrotransit.org.

A Nice Ride station is located outside McNamara on Walnut Street. Learn more at niceridemn.com/how-it-works.

McNamara Alumni Center

General Information

The Youth Summit will bring together youth from across Minnesota to learn, share, and collaborate to help reduce the dangers of vaping through activism and awareness.


Audience

This event is intended to include youth led groups awarded grants by the Minnesota Department of Health and student populations that work with the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.


Activities

The Summit will consist of full group presentations, a variety of workshops and skill building activities, and furthering education and career building opportunities. Breakfast and lunch are included. View the agenda below for more information.

Learning Outcomes

  • Engage youth as active partners in planning and presenting at the Summit.

  • Raise awareness about the dangers of youth vaping and the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics.

  • Develop advocacy skills and knowledge to increase their ability to share information with their peers, community leaders, and decision makers.

  • Develop and enhance communication and leadership skills to effectively lead teams and be effective community change agents creating positive local change.

  • Provide opportunities to develop and practice personal wellbeing skills to balance the challenges that come with being a leader.

  • Through networking activities and social experiences, youth will build social and emotional skills.

  • Discover opportunities for furthering their education and future career exploration.

Health & Safety Information

We are pleased to offer this in-person event while maintaining our number one goal of keeping attendees, staff, presenters, exhibitors and the community safe while learning.

Overview

  • All event staff and chaperones must pass criminal background checks and undergo training to participate.

  • Registered attendees, staff, and chaperones will be provided name tags to quickly identify event personnel.

  • A risk assessment and outline of protocols is being developed with event organizers, the venue, and the Youth Safety and Compliance Manager at the University of Minnesota. An overview of these areas under development is available on the Health and Safety Requirements and Expectations section of the Safety of Minors Policy.

  • In the registration process emergency contact details will be collected and available to key event staff. Event staff will also undergo a training with the Youth Safety and Compliance Manager to review policies and processes.

  • This event is reducing waste by implementing recycling, composting, and minimal printing. Most event materials will be available online with printed materials also available.

Inclusivity and Accessibility

  • This event is designed to be inclusive and accessible. In the registration process we ask attendees and chaperones to provide accommodation requests. Requests will be handled on a case by case basis to address individual needs. University of Minnesota departments such as Disability Services and the Gender and Sexuality Center are available for support.

  • We will use name, gender identity, and pronouns specified by participants, except as legally required.

  • Restrooms at the venue include single stall gender neutral bathrooms and men's and women's multi-stall bathrooms. A nursing mother's space is available on the second floor.

  • If you have a new accommodation request after you have submitted your registration, please contact mccevents@umn.edu to inform us.

Dietary Requests

  • In the registration process we ask attendees and chaperones to provide dietary requests. Requests will be handled on a case by case basis to address individual needs.

  • Catering for this event is provided by D'Amico & Sons Café which is located within the McNamara Alumni Center.

  • If you have a new dietary request after you have submitted your registration, please contact mccevents@umn.edu to inform us.

Medications

  • Per the Health and Safety Requirements and Expectations section of the Safety of Minors Policy, minors must provide medications to event staff upon arrival and will be kept in a secure location. Staff will meet with the minor and provide medication to and the minor is responsible for self-administering the medication in the appropriate dose. This will be logged by staff.

  • Attendees using an epi pen, diabetes supplies, or inhalers may carry it on their person during the event.

  • Medications that cannot be self-administered should not be brought to the event.

  • A first, CPR, and AED and a mental health first aid certified staff will be at the event.

COVID-19 Policy

As with any activity, there is inherent risk and the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic have created a heightened degree of personal risk and responsibility. This event, hosted by the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health, is maintaining all required measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 during this event. For the latest information, please visit the Safe Campus Website here.

We are currently monitoring local data on COVID-19 levels in order to keep our events safe and will take necessary health precautions based on these levels and guidance from the CDC, MDH, and our own public health experts. Guests will be informed of any updates to the event that may occur due to the virus.

How we are maintaining on-site safety:

  • Masks are strongly recommended when not actively eating or drinking. Masks are available at the event.

  • Masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes are available at the event.

  • Check-in and food pick up areas are designed to minimize time lines and include grab and go menus.

  • Increased cleaning is being applied in event spaces.

  • Event space ventilation is maximized according to the UMN Facilities Management COVID-19 ventilation standards.

    • Weather permitting we hope to find some outside time throughout the agenda.

How attendees can maintain on-site safety:

  • Wear your mask when not actively eating or drinking.

  • If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home.

  • Get tested, vaccinated, and boosted before attending.

Information for Parents

This one day event will take place in person at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota East Bank Campus.

This event is being registered with the University of Minnesota College Readiness Consortium and follows the Safety of Minors Policy. Minors must be accompanied by a chaperone who passes a criminal background check. Additional information is outlined in the sections below.

Parents and legal guardians will be required to complete a Release and Waiver in order for their student to attend, in addition to registration.

Details on optional housing accommodations in the dorms will be available soon. Minors must be accompanied by a chaperone who passes a criminal background check and will be assigned space by group, gender, and age. Non-relative adult chaperones cannot share a room with minors.

Information for Chaperones

This event is being registered with the University of Minnesota College Readiness Consortium and follows the Safety of Minors Policy.

Adults bringing minors to a University program are responsible for their minors. Your grantee group will be assigned a schedule and will move together throughout the event to breakout options.

The University of Minnesota requires a ratio of 1:10 for youth aged 9 - 14 and 1:12 for youth aged 15+. Chaperones must pass a criminal background check and are required to participate in pre-event meetings and required trainings.

Details on optional housing accommodations in the dorms will be available soon. Chaperones must pass a criminal background check. Rooms will be assigned space by group, gender, and age. Chaperones will be in the vicinity of their group. Non-relative adult chaperones cannot share a room with minors.

Chaperones should ensure the safe movement of minors on campus (especially for those staying overnight). Use the buddy system, take headcounts, and establish a check-in and check-out procedure.

QUESTIONS Contact mccevents@umn.edu or 612-624-7552.

This event is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota