Case study: Engaging Young People in Governance at Corrugated Iron Youth Arts

^{New Territory, Darwin Fringe 2023. Photo credit: Rachael Chisholm}

Based on Larrakia Country in Darwin, Corrugated Iron Youth Arts is a leading youth arts organisation.

It works across regional and remote communities of Australia to deliver programs for young people to develop their skills and pathways into the arts.

While young people under 18 are not able to be board members, Corrugated Iron has a robust long-standing model for integrating the invaluable contributions of young community members into its governance practices.

Corrugated Iron Youth Arts Executive Producer and CEO, Zoe Scrogings says, “We might think that it’s too hard but actually, young people really do want to be involved. It’s about extending the invitation and having multiple modes of participation.”

Corrugated Iron’s governance structure features a Champions program: a youth-led initiative that empowers young leaders to actively participate in decision-making processes within the organisation, enabling their voices to be heard and valued. Corrugated Iron is well known for being a youth-led organisation, which Executive Producer and CEO, Zoe Scrogings explains, means providing “opportunities for young people to really be at the forefront of decision-making within the organisation.”

When reflecting on the Champions program and its evolution, Zoe stresses that it came from really listening to young people’s desire to be involved in the governance of Corrugated Iron:

“I think the benefits outweigh some of the concerns of, ‘how am I going to incorporate young people?’ Or, ‘how am I going to get diverse voices?’ Go where their energy is and start there. For us, the young people that we work with are just so deeply passionate about the organisation, and you want to leverage that.”

Ways Corrugated Iron approaches diversity in governance

• Reciprocity: Typically, Champions meet at least quarterly to discuss various aspects of the organisation, its programs and upcoming projects, or simply to voice their opinions and project ideas. Zoe explains, “the board will report back to the Champions, and the Champions will report back to the board.” Some board members attend Champions meetings, “just to connect and listen to their ideas so there’s a real wrap-around for the organisation, where young people are directly inputting into decision making at that governance level.”
• Self-determination: Since its inception, the Champions group and its processes have changed with the different cohorts of members over the years, with each group “having their own kind of culture,” explains Zoe. Her role as leader and the main link between the Champions and the board is to foster leadership in Champion members and facilitate strong connections with the board.
• Training and capacity: The Champions program sees members “not only come together and learn how to form a group, but also how to run a meeting, how to write minutes, how to form an agenda, how to facilitate a meeting, and also how to run their own projects,” Zoe explains.
• Multiple modes for integrating voices: Corrugated Iron also holds an annual Vision Day, where “all people across the organisation come together and share a meal and dream up the future,” says Zoe. This day has real impact on the organisation’s vision, strategic plan and goals, ensuring they truly reflect the community. Corrugated Iron is also looking at ways of tailoring programs and support for young First Nations people to develop leadership skills and contribute to governance through observership programs and training.

Learnings for other organisations

• Integrate flexibly with the board: Mechanisms that build strong relationships between community members and boards help ensure the community’s voices are heard in governance. This can involve opportunities for board members to attend community meetings or come together over a meal to hear ideas and feedback.
• Rethink governance culture: Governance programs and structures that support an informal and inclusive culture make it welcoming for all people to participate and share their ideas. Simple ways to reduce barriers to participation and facilitate meaningful input include considering meeting times, frequency and locations and using clear and simple language.
• Empower and build capacity: A core part of empowering others and building capacity to lead is about facilitating others to express opinions and creating space for dialogue where input is valued and respected.
• Reflect community values: Ensure your organisation’s governance reflects the values, interests and priorities of the communities it serves. Alignment with community needs is essential for long-term success and should be an ongoing, iterative process as both the organisation’s and community’s needs change over time.

Read more case studies at our Governance Hub.