Here are ten things you can do in the new year that will help make an impact in the world!
1. Blogging– You can become a blogger on youthareawesome.com. This is a great way to promote events, share your thoughts and to allow your voice to be heard!
2. Promote & Take Action on your Three Things for Calgary– This is a new year and it’s your chance to make a difference! You can come up with three things for Calgary (one local, one community and one personal project) that will help make our city a better place to live.
3. Apply for Mayor for a Day– In a month, the Mayor’s Youth Council will be planning the Mayor for a Day essay contest! The information will be posted on Youth Central’s website for you to apply! The contest allows you to create an essay stating your three things for Calgary and get the chance to implement your ideas with the Mayor.
4. Nominate Someone for the ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards– Youth are given the chance to write a letter to the YODA committee stating why their peer or friend demonstrates one  or more of the following: Peer Support, Advocacy, Volunteerism, Environment (Group & Individual), Arts and Culture, Leadership, Sportsmanship or Perseverance.
5. Like and Join the Discussion on the Calgary Mayor’s Youth Council Official Facebook Page– If you have ideas for the Mayor’s Youth Council and want to get involved, this is the place to go. You can start a discussion, comment on a status that intrigues you or just simply like the page, the decision is up to you.
6. Attend the Annual General Meeting- If you’re curious about all the fantastic events Youth Central hosts, then come to the Annual General Meeting located at the Kahanoff Centre from 4:30-6:30 PM on the 2nd floor.
7. Attend Encounters With Canada- Encounters With Canada offers a variety of camps that youth can attend. It promotes bilingualism and allows you to learn about your dream career. You get a hands-on experience in learning about: Law, Arts and Culture, Medicine and Health, Vimy: Canada’s Coming of Age, Sports and Fitness, Science and Technology, Royal Canadian Mountain Police, Politics in Canada, Journalism and Communications, International Affairs, Ecology and Environment or Canada Remembers.
8. Host Your Own SpeakOut Forum– You should host your own Speak Out Forum in your school or community. This will allow youth to learn how important education is. You will get the chance to share your ideas and thoughts in our education system.
9. Be a Youth Leader with Free the Children- There are three ways youth can get involved with Free the Children. They can attend a Youth Summit, Leadership camp or join the MOB. Free the Children has events every month and you can be a part of making a difference across the world. This is your chance to get involved in a project that affects the nation.
10. Donate your used eye glasses– The Lions Club is a national organization that has a local location in Calgary! This is your chance to donate your used eye glasses to help give the gift of sight to the less fortunate. The boxes are in the Youth Central office and you can drop them off at anytime! This is a wonderful organization and it only requires you to collect a couple used eye glasses to make a huge difference.
Have a wonderful new year everyone and make 2013 a year you will never forget!
-Sheliza Kassam
