p.u.l.s.e. youth group

"The community foundation is an organization to give money through, not an organization to give money to."

George Bennett
Former President, NCCF

Groups such as P.U.L.S.E. from surrounding Northeast Indiana Counties are known as Youth Pods. Each has their own distinctive name created by each Youth Pod group.

Have you ever climbed into a vehicle with a teen in possession of a new driver’s permit? You might have said: “I’ll navigate. You drive.”

If so, you’re well on the way to understanding Youth Pods. For driving lessons, adults sit in the navigator’s seat with their experience ready, if needed. The young person takes hold of the wheel, gives the engine some gas, steers, and (hopefully) learns to apply the brake.

Youth Pods put young people in the driver’s seat of philanthropic decision-making. While adults are always ready to provide support and information, it’s the young people who take hold of the responsibility, road test their ideas and gain new experience at saying both “yes” and “no.”

Young people need many experiences and support systems to grow up healthy and independent. Research* shows a serious lack of experiences where young people can feel that they are valued by their community and making a positive impact for other people. Through Youth Pods, young people demonstrate their leadership skills and philanthropic natures. Their fresh, youthful perspective is respected and nurtured.

The membership shall be composed of 15 students, 5 from each of the 3 school districts in Noble County, grades 8-12 will be represented. Confidentiality and honesty are two things that must be abided by all all times.

Through P.U.L.S.E., young people learn about philanthropy and study the needs of their community. They set a mission and vision for their organization. After that preliminary work is done, members receive significant financial support that they can grant to community projects that support their mission. They also work to accomplish their mission by giving their own time, talent and treasure. *40 Developmental Assets, Search Institute. www.search-institute.org.

Members receive training to guarantee they can meet the expectations the Noble County Community Foundation has set for them. Through a trainer and workshops they receive valuable information regarding grant requests, grant approval, and Robert’s Rules of Order. P.U.L.S.E. members have the potential in bettering not only themselves in many ways, but also the community.

Young people say that P.U.L.S.E. membership broadens their world and prepares them for full participation in community life. As a P.U.L.S.E. member, teens have four basic experiences.

They:

1. Receive training in philanthropy.
2. Learn to run a nonprofit organization.
3. Build financial responsibility by administering significant grant dollars.
4. Practice being philanthropic by studying their community’s needs and using their time and talent and treasure to prompt change.

Usually a young person joins P.U.L.S.E. during the eighth grade and remains a member throughout his/her high school career. This five-year span allows them to learn about philanthropy and experience leading an organization.

Most teens find that they can successfully blend their academic wand extracurricular activities with P.U.L.S.E. membership. P.U.L.S.E. typically meets once a month during school hours. They occasionally meet other times to plan and complete projects to benefit the community.

P.U.L.S.E. members have fun and challenging experiences – unique from other clubs or activities. P.U.L.S.E. meetings are active! Their members:
- Meet people their age from across the region.
- Learn a lot about the community.
- Practice leadership skills.
- Make decisions about how a significant amount of money will be spent.
- Participate in projects that benefit their community.

The P.U.L.S.E. Mission Statement is to broaden Noble County’s horizons of education and service through philanthropy.