JOIN PYC ADVOCATES!

About PYC Advocates

The leadership corps of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress is PYC Advocates.

PYC Advocates is our network of key young LGBTQ leaders across the commonwealth who are established and emerging leaders. PYC Advocates receive powerful tools from PYC and expert trainings to enhance their work at the local, regional, and statewide levels.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress is currently accepting applications to become a PYC Advocate!

As a PYC Advocate you will:

-Have valuable leadership opportunities supporting on-the-ground LGBTQ advocacy efforts in Pennsylvania
-Network with other young leaders from across the state at PYC connection points
-Design your own advocacy projects with PYC or take on leadership with an existing advocacy effort
-Engage in mentorship opportunities in your region
-Represent PYC and be a positive force in your community
-Receive regular updates of organizational activities
-Receive special invitations to events as a representative of PYC, including pride festival events, galas, concerts, social functions, fundraisers, and regional summits
-Waived registration fees for the Pennsylvania Youth Action Conference

How to Apply

PYC Advocates participate in four connection points each year for community building, advocacy education, and leadership training. Attendance is required for each of these connection points and the YAC (TBD in 2021), save for approved extenuating circumstances. Should any of the connection points be able to be held in-person, travel logistics and overnight accommodations will be provided to PYC Advocates to attend, and need-based to attend the YAC (if no sponsoring school or organization is available to assist).

The dates for the 2020-2021 PYC Advocate connection points are as follows. In the 2020-2021 year each connection point will be held online rather than in-person retreats. By completing the application below, you are committing to having the following dates fully available to attend (Friday evening through Sunday evening):

December 4-6, 2020
January 8-10, 2021
April 2-4, 2020
May 21-23, 2021

PYC Advocates are expected to attend the weekly All-Organization Meeting which takes place on Sunday evenings at 8pm via Zoom. A drop-in PYC Family space is held each week as well, which PYC Advocates are invited to attend socially, and attend at least once a month.

PYC Advocates serve one year terms which begin and conclude each fall, which may be renewed by application. Individuals will be selected to represent each of PYC's nine regions. To be eligible to serve as a PYC Advocate, applicants must reside in Pennsylvania (or if living in Washington, DC, have roots in Pennsylvania) and identify as young advocates (generally older teens and twentysomethings).

If you would like more information about PYC Advocates, please email PYC Advocate Coordinator Angie Poole at apoole@payouthcongress.org.

You may apply become an PYC Advocate by completing the form below. A PYC leader will be in touch with you following your submission. PYC Advocates initially formed in 2019 as PYC Ambassadors.

The PYC Assembly Charter which includes the framework and operations for PYC Advocates is here.

The regular application period for the 2020-2021 term of PYC Advocates closed in fall 2020. The application form below will remain open on to accept submissions on a rolling basis for any vacancies as they may occur. We will keep applications on file and be in touch as opportunities may arise. Thank you.