What is the Children’s Annual Meeting?
The Children’s Annual Meeting is an adapted meeting space where children and youth have the opportunity to express their opinions about their own sports participation while learning the basics of how an organization functions. The format is inspired by the Swedish Skateboarding Federation’s>> early work on children’s participation. Active members, young leaders, and collaborative partners have all been involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Children’s Annual Meeting. The Children’s Annual Meeting is based on the survey conducted within the organization in 2023-2024, which showed that the meeting formats currently available in sports organizations are not appealing or adapted to children’s needs for having their voices heard.
How It Works
During the evening, children and youth share what is important to them and how activities can be developed in a playful and safe manner. The results are compiled into a “Children and Youth Activity Report” and an “Activity Plan/Wish List” for the next season. The meeting is held well in advance of the organization’s regular annual meeting so that children and youth’s input and any motions can be included, AND the children are also encouraged to participate in the regular annual meeting.
