Amplify Youth 2009-2010
Registration for the 2009-2010 Amplify Youth has begun!
To join Amplify Youth for the upcoming school year, you must register and make an initial payment by July 16, 2009. The registration form is at the bottom of this page.
Congratulations on your interest in joining Amplify Youth. The group is comprised of high school students from throughout southeast Louisiana. These students work hard throughout the year to improve their schools and communities through community service and outreach. We believe that there are two main functions of the Troupe. First, we want to provide the community with a group of high school students who can serve as role models by making good decisions such as being drug-free. Second, we want to provide an atmosphere for members to be with others who also choose to be drug-free. As a member, you will meet and get to know students from other schools who share some of the same beliefs as you.
The Five Pillars of Commitment
Drug Free Activities
Because we believe that it is important to provide fun, drug-free activities for members, we will host recreational activities on a regular basis.
Community Service
We achieve this through projects such as assisting at children’s fairs and volunteering with organizations such as Adopt-A-Family during the holiday season. Also a member is required to do 4 hours of community service outside of Amplify.
Community Outreach
Each year Amplify Youth performs about 10 times. These performances are done for the community, junior high and high schools, and sometimes groups in other parishes. We also do community outreach projects during Red Ribbon Week, Kick Butts Day, the Great American Smoke-out, Drug Free Mardi Gras Zones, and other events.
Education
We believe that it is important for you to know about the “new trends” in drug use; how to help a friend who might be experimenting with drugs; and the harmful effects of different drugs. A time is set-aside in meetings for this type of education.
Youth Advocacy
Amplify Youth members participate in programs that will achieve environmental change. We do this by working with festival leaders, lawmakers, and other community leaders to make our community a safer place to live.
How Active is Amplify Youth?
Members usually meet once a week unless there is a special event going on that week such as a performance or social. There will sometimes be meeting held twice in one week so it's easier to get to them - one will be held in Slidell and one in Mandeville. The Mandeville meetings are typically held on Thursday nights from 7:00-8:30, and the Slidell meetings are typically held on Tuesday nights. You are only required to attend one of those meetings. There will be about 10 performances throughout the year. Most will be during school, although some may be at night or on the weekend. We usually hold a dress rehearsal the night before each performance. We also try to have at least one recreational activity each month such as a party, lock-in, movie, etc. In addition, we will be doing fundraisers and service projects throughout the year.
What are the attendance requirements?
We realize that many of you are involved with many groups and organizations, but being in the PRIDE Troupe is a commitment. It is impossible to coordinate everyone’s schedule, therefore, the requirement is that you have at least 75 percent each month of Amplify Youth activities. If your attendance drops below the required 75 percent, we will talk with you and find out why your attendance has dropped. Then we will decide if your declined participation is excused or unexcused. Excessive absences will result in dismissal from Amplify Youth.
What about missing school?
When you do miss class for an Amplify Youth activity, it will be recorded as an excused absence or field trip at certain schools. Permission forms will be furnished and must be signed by your and your parents to be submitted to your school. You must make arrangements with your teachers to make up any work missed, at no penalty to you. This policy applies to all public schools in St. Tammany Parish, but private schools have their own policies.
What costs are involved?
There is one fee that pays for everything you do the entire year except for conferences/trips. The total cost for the year is $250. The expenses are shown below so that you can see what the fee covers.
Retreat fee
Uniform
Local Membership
Videos (Retreat, End of the Year)
Awards / Recognition Banquet
Event T-Shirts
Social Events
Administrative Cost
Liability Insurance
Payment Options
The first option is to pay online via Pay Pal with a credit card. Those payment plans are as follows:
1) $250 paid at once by July 16, 2009
2) An initial payment of $150 by July 16, 2009 with the remaining $100 payment to be paid by September 1, 2009.
If you are choosing this payment, please go to www.amplifyyouth.org/payments and then choose the correct link to the plan of your choice.
The second option is to pay via check, mailed in or brought to our office. Those payment plans are as follows:
1) $250 paid at once by July 16, 2009
2) An initial payment of $150 by July 16, 2009 with the remaining $100 due by September 1, 2009.
If you are choosing this payment, please mail or bring the check to:
Amplify Resources
1776 Orleans St.
Mandeville, LA 70448
These fees include all costs incurred during the year with the exception of any conferences or other trips that you choose to attend. This year Amplify is planning a Spring Convention in a location TBA. The cost of the trip has yet to be decided. We strongly urge students to attend this conference because it is a very valuable experience. The other possible conference, Taking Action, cost about $100 per student. This is the Louisiana SADD conference that will be held in Lafayette. We try to keep the cost low so money will not prevent a student from attending these events or joining Amplify Youth. You will get more information about these conferences in the fall.
We don’t want anyone to be excluded from Amplify Youth because of money concerns. If you would like to be a part and honestly cannot afford it, please contact us and we will work out a payment plan or try to assist you in getting a scholarship.
What is the commitment we have to sign?
You will have to sign a commitment to be a positive role model for the entire time you are in Amplify Youth. This includes drinking, smoking, other forms of tobacco, illegal drugs, illegal use of legal drugs, and any other mind-altering substance. Also, you are expected to refrain from inappropriate dress, language and disrespectful behavior. In addition you must maintain a good standing in the community. You must also commit to adhering to the attendance requirements and to always being a positive role model to others. It is also your responsibility to report any violations you have seen or have participated in
If you would like to be a member of Amplify Youth and can make the required commitments, then you should plan to attend the training retreat July 28-30, 2009. All of the details are listed below. If you can’t be at the retreat because of a scheduling conflict, return the attached form with the fee and we will notify you of the make-up retreat dates.
Retreat
Place…………….Location TBA soon
Dates……………Tuesday, July 28, 2009 starting at 2:30 PM, Wednesday, July 29, 2009 and Thursday, July 30, 2009 (ending with a dinner and Premier Performance at 6:00 PM)
Cost……………..Included in the Dues
What to Bring…..Toiletries, comfortable, appropriate clothes, white tennis shoes and Socks (for the performance) and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!!!
On Thursday night of the retreat, Amplify Youth will host a dinner and perform for the families of members and for the PRIDE Board of Directors. Amplify will provide a dinner for each member and up to 3 family members. If additional family members would like to attend, it will cost $5 per additional person. We encourage all of the families to come on Thursday night to see what everyone has learned during the retreat and will be performing throughout the year. This is also a great opportunity for the parents to meet each other and meet the Amplify Board and staff.
This form is available on www.amplifyyouth.org. If you know of someone who would like to be in the group, but does not have this letter, please direct them to the website address above. If for some reason they cannot download the form or if they have any questions, they may contact Libby Cole at the Amplify office at libby@amplifyresources.org or (985) 727-7710.
We would like to thank you for inquiring about being a member of this exciting organization and we hope to see you soon!
You will be notified by e-mail by July 23rd of your acceptance in Amplify along with medical forms and other necessary paperwork. If you don't receive an e-mail by July 23rd, please contact us immediately at (985) 727-7710 or by e-mail at libby@amplifyresources.org.
Click Here to go to the Payments Page to pay now by Credit Card