A youth presidency meeting agenda should balance spiritual preparation, practical planning, and youth-led participation, typically covering opening prayer and devotion, reviewing past activities, planning upcoming events, discussing youth needs and concerns, and assigning action items. The agenda is usually created by the youth presidency with adult adviser support, and it follows a consistent structure to keep meetings efficient and meaningful.
Purpose of the Youth Presidency Meeting
The youth presidency meeting is a planning and coordination session led by youth officers (such as president, counselors, and secretary) under the guidance of an adult adviser. Its primary purpose is to help the presidency fulfill their responsibilities: to lead and minister to the youth in their class or quorum, plan activities, address needs, and support each member. The meeting is not just an administrative check-in—it is a spiritual and leadership development opportunity where youth learn to counsel together, listen to each other, and act on inspired ideas.
In many faith-based youth programs, including those in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the presidency meets regularly (often monthly) to coordinate work. The agenda ensures that time is used well, that every voice is heard, and that decisions are made with purpose. A well-structured agenda also teaches youth how to run effective meetings—a skill they will use throughout their lives.
Key Components of a Typical Agenda
While specific agendas vary by organization and age group, most youth presidency meetings include the following core elements:
- Opening: A prayer, a brief spiritual thought or scripture, and a check-in on how each presidency member is doing.
- Review of Previous Actions: Follow-up on assignments and commitments from the last meeting. This keeps accountability and ensures tasks are completed.
- Planning Upcoming Activities: Brainstorming and finalizing details for upcoming events, including dates, locations, budgets, and responsible persons.
- Discussing Youth Needs: Sharing observations about the well-being of class or quorum members—who might need a visit, encouragement, or help.
- Assignments and Action Items: Clearly delegating tasks with deadlines. Each action item should have an owner and a due date.
- Closing: A summary of decisions, a closing prayer, and sometimes a treat or social time.
Some agendas also include a standing item for “new business” to allow any member to raise topics not previously listed.
How to Create an Effective Agenda
Creating a good agenda is a skill that youth can learn quickly. The following steps are a practical guide:
- Set a date and time that works for all presidency members and the adviser. Consistency helps.
- Ask for input a few days before the meeting. Each member can submit items they want to discuss.
- Prioritize items by importance and time sensitivity. Put urgent or complex topics earlier when energy is high.
- Allocate time slots for each item (e.g., 5 minutes for check-in, 15 minutes for activity planning). This keeps the meeting on track.
- Assign a facilitator—usually the president—and a note-taker (often the secretary) to record decisions and action items.
- Distribute the agenda in advance via email, group chat, or a printed copy so everyone can prepare.
Using a simple template (see below) can make this process faster and more consistent.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Youth presidency meetings often face a few recurring problems. One is domination by one or two members. To counter this, the president can explicitly invite quieter members to share their thoughts, or use a “round-robin” format where each person speaks in turn. Another issue is going off-topic. The agenda with time limits helps, but the president can also gently steer the conversation back by saying, “Let’s park that idea and return to it later if we have time.”
Low attendance or lack of preparation is also common. Setting a consistent meeting time, sending reminders, and making assignments clear can help. Some presidencies find that starting with a fun icebreaker or a snack increases engagement. Finally, adult advisers sometimes take over. A good adviser knows when to step back and let youth lead, offering guidance only when needed. The meeting should feel like the youth’s meeting, not the adult’s.
Youth-Led vs. Adviser-Led Meetings
A key distinction is whether the meeting is truly youth-led or whether the adult adviser quietly runs it. In a youth-led meeting, the president (or a designated youth) facilitates, decides the order of items, and encourages participation. The adviser sits in as a resource, offering suggestions and ensuring safety and policy compliance. In an adviser-led meeting, the adult takes charge, which can undermine the purpose of developing youth leadership.
Most youth programs encourage a gradual shift from adviser-led to youth-led as the presidency gains experience. For example, a new presidency might have the adviser coach them through the first few meetings, then step back to a support role. The goal is for the youth to feel ownership and confidence in their ability to lead.
Template for a Youth Presidency Meeting Agenda
Below is a blank template you can copy and fill in for your own meetings. It is intentionally simple and adaptable.
| Time | Item | Leader | Notes/Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Opening prayer & spiritual thought | ||
| 5 min | Check-in / how is everyone doing? | ||
| 10 min | Review of previous action items | ||
| 15 min | Planning upcoming activity (name/date) | ||
| 10 min | Discuss youth needs (who needs support?) | ||
| 5 min | New business / other topics | ||
| 5 min | Assignments & closing prayer |
Sample (fictional): For a meeting on March 14, 2025, the “Planning upcoming activity” row could read: “Youth conference – June 20, 2025 – Maria to book venue, Juan to plan games, adviser to confirm budget.”
You can adjust the time slots and items to fit your group’s needs. The key is to leave space for notes so decisions are recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a youth presidency meeting last?
Most meetings last between 30 and 60 minutes. Shorter meetings (30 minutes) are often better for younger youth, while older youth can handle longer sessions. The key is to stick to the agenda and end on time to respect everyone’s schedule.
Who should attend the youth presidency meeting?
Typically, the youth presidency (president, counselors, secretary) and the adult adviser attend. In some cases, a class or quorum member may be invited to present a specific idea, but the regular meeting is limited to the presidency to keep it focused.
How often should the youth presidency meet?
Monthly meetings are common, but some groups meet every other week, especially during busy seasons. The frequency should be enough to plan effectively without becoming a burden. Consistency matters more than frequency.
What if a presidency member cannot attend?
The meeting should still proceed. The president can ask the absent member to share input in advance or to receive a summary afterward. It’s important that decisions are not delayed indefinitely due to one person’s absence.
Should the agenda be shared with the whole youth group?
No, the agenda is for the presidency and adviser. However, a summary of decisions and upcoming activities should be communicated to the entire youth group after the meeting, often through announcements or a group chat.
What is the role of the adult adviser during the meeting?
The adviser is there to support, not to lead. They can offer guidance on policy, safety, and resources, and they can help the youth stay on track if the meeting goes off course. But the youth should make the decisions and run the meeting themselves.