FAQ | Adults

Mission Statement

"Youth Leaders International brings youth from many countries together in three global programs to teach leadership skills, group dynamics, and the importance of eliminating all forms of bigotry from the world."

Adult FAQ

1. What are the minimum requirements to become a counselor?

Be a teacher or administrator affiliated with a YLI Chapter
Be 25 years of age or have 3 years of teaching experience
Commit to attending monthly chapter meetings
Commit to accompanying their chapter class to the three successive international programs
Provide references

2. Why is having internet access so important?

Having internet access is crucial to your involvement as counselor members. Without the internet, a counselor would not be able to log onto our website to fulfill all of your responsibilities to review the students’ submitted assignments. All assignments are submitted via our website so that they can be reviewed by a counselor or the YLI Staff.

YLI sends all correspondences out via the internet.

If you miss the deadlines, the database will see your incomplete status and your membership status may be in jeopardy as a result.

3. I am an interested adult. What if there is no YLI chapter already established near me?

If you are an adult that would like to volunteer with YLI and there is no chapter established in your area. Please contact YLI Headquarters directly to inquire about how you can help YLI from your community.

4. Is there a membership fee?

There is NO membership fee for student members or adult volunteers. The student member is only responsible for the cost of their airfare to and from the three international programs as well as all pocket money for any souvenirs and incidental expenses. YLI covers all program expenses including room and board.

The same is true for our adult counselors but in most cases YLI will also cover the airfare.

5. Who should I contact if my login and/or password do not work?

You will be given a login when you are accepted into the YLI program
If your log in or password does not work, please contact YLI Headquarters directly and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

6. What are the deadlines for the View Point Assignments?

This is a monthly 2-part exercise that uses the YLI website Discussion Board. The topics and partners are assigned each month by YLI World Headquarters. The adult counselor is expected to review each of their students submitted view point for cohesiveness.

7. How is the location for the World Cultural Experience (WCE) chosen?

The location for the WCE is decided upon by the Executive Director.

8. Are individual chapters allowed to fundraise?

We understand that international travel is expensive especially during peak travel times so we do not prohibit individual chapters from fundraising. We do require that your chapter donate not less than 50% of your fundraising profits to an outside charity of your chapter's choosing.

9. What is the mailing address and phone number at YLI HQ?

Youth Leaders International
1000 Parrs Ridge Drive
Spencerville Maryland
United States of America
301-476-7592 Phone
301-476-7594 Fax

10. Are there any employment opportunities at YLI?

There are currently no employment opportunities with YLI.

11. What are the repercussions of missing a chapter meeting or submitting late assignments without an acceptable excuse?

You are excused from one meeting without an acceptable excuse during the year. Not being able to provide documentation for a valid excuse will jeopardize your member status. The same applies for late assignments. You will be required to provide your counselor with an acceptable excuse for your absence or any late assignment submissions.

12. What types of excuses are acceptable?

The types of excuses that will we accept are: death in the family, student illness, and family emergencies with a note from a parent or school related activities. Final decision will rest with the Executive Director for approval or disapproval.

13. Where are the online media/medical release forms?

The medical and media release forms are available on our website and may be submitted online for immediate review by YLI HQ.

14. What if I am away from home and I am not able to review my students work?

Since the YLI website is all web-based, you are able to review work and keep yourself up to date on your students status from anywhere in the world. The website is available on any computer with internet access. If there are any serious issues that are beyond your control, please contact the lead counselor and YLI HQ.

15. I have t-shirt design submissions. To whom should I send them?

Please send t-shirt designs via an email attachment or by mail directly to YLI HQ.

16. I'm not sure if my work went through to YLI HQ, should I submit it again?

Check back on the website to check on the status of your submitted work regularly to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Save any word documents or paper copies as a backup for your resubmission if necessary.

17. What characteristics should a student/counselor look for in new members?
Some characteristics that a new student member nominee should possess are:

Good academic standing
Involvement in an organized group (sports, school, etc)
Good time-management skills
Enthusiasm
Compassion
Articulate
Responsible
Dependable
Reliable
Goal-oriented
Team player

18. When is the recruiting season for YLI?

The recruiting season of YLI begins in January and all new nominees should be reported to YLI HQ by 1 April.

19. How often may I post new things in my blog?

You may post new items on your blog at any time you are logged in.

20. Is all my contact information kept private from non-members?

All of your personal contact information and blog items are all only viewable by current members, counselors, YLI Board of Directors and YLI Staff.

21. Is there a deadline to contact YLI HQ with information about my flight itinerary for the international programs?

The deadline to report your flight itinerary for the summer is 1 May. Any flight information received after 1 May could result in the student/counselor not having an YLI provided transport from the airport to hotel or conference venue.

22. Is there a specific travel agent that I should buy tickets from or may I make my own travel arrangements?

There is no specific travel agent that we require you to utilize but we do recommend that you try all types of sources to get the best fares possible.

Counselors are required to travel with their students. They are also responsible to obtain a comparison price between their travel company and that of the one YLI HQ chooses. This is so YLI makes the best/least possible travel cost.

All flights are to be into and out of a YLI approved airport and travel times.

Any counselor not traveling with their students must be sure that each of the students’ family has completed one of the required separate travel release form (found in the forms area of the web site). The original form must be in the office of YLI HQ not less than 30 days prior to the affected program.

23. I am a counselor, how should I go about getting reimbursed for airfare?

In order to be reimbursed for air fare, the counselor should contact YLI HQ directly via email or fax with the invoice reflecting the amount owed to you.