The National Youth Council (NYC) comprises youth leaders from across the country who strongly connect to their BGC Club and community. Through their diverse identities, experiences, and skills, the NYC brings youth voice, leadership, and insights into the governance, direction and work of BGC at the national level. Participating in the National Youth Council provides members with meaningful opportunities to build skills and networking capabilities, as well as providing mentorship and professional development opportunities.
Being a member of the NYC includes activities such as:
- Leveraging the voices of BGC youth to ensure their representation in decision-making.
- Assisting in planning and executing BGCC national youth events, contributing to their success.
- Serving as role models for incoming NYC members and BGC youth across Canada, embodying leadership qualities.
- Providing updates to the BGCC National board and staff on issues relevant to youth, offering valuable perspectives.
- Acting as a resource to BGC Canada and, when feasible, local Clubs, offering support and insights.
- Participating on a BGC Canada committee, contributing to specific areas of focus and projects.
The National Youth Council Term & Roles
Each role has varying responsibilities, from taking on extra responsibilities and accepting more leadership within the council to working with the BGC Canada national staff to achieve their goals. The NYC term is 1.5 years and lasts until the end of the following National Youth Forum
- The Chair is responsible for leading the NYC team members, overseeing all NYC meetings, and ensuring everyone gets heard and all discussion topics receive fair attention. The Chair works directly with the other Executive positions and has the most responsibility.
- The Vice Chair supports the Chair in performing their duties, acts as Chair when absent, works closely with the other Executive positions, and prepares to serve as Chair in the next term.
- The treasurer is responsible for providing financial advice, managing the NYC budget, and giving regular report budget updates to the NYC team.
- The secretary works with the Chair to plan NYC meetings, takes minutes at meetings, ensures that all records and other documents are collected and stored for NYC, and maintains a contact list for all Important NYC stakeholders and partners.
- Members at large are responsible for attending and contributing to meetings—keeping projects moving forward and actively representing the youth voices at their Clubs.
Each member is as valuable as the next, with every youth equally contributing, giving, and accepting each other’s input.
Meet our NYC Members
Halla (She/her), Chair
BGC London
Halla is returning to the NYC for a second term as Chair and has been involved with her BGC Club for four years as a member, volunteer, and staff. She is also a 2023 Youth of the Year recipient. Her Club has positively impacted her character and outlook on life through diverse experiences and lifelong relationships.
Halla’s favourite Club memories were studying for exams in the Clubs’ kitchen, playing soccer, and working with the kids during March Break camps. Outside her Club, she enjoys playing sports, reading, and exploring. She is currently studying
science at UBC, with hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
As an NYC member, she wants to understand a Club’s functions and advocate for opportunities to provide youth with an even more positive experience at BGC.
Althea (She/her), Vice-Chair
BGC South Coast BC
Althea is joining the NYC for her second term as Vice-Chair and has been involved with her BGC Club for 11 years in an after-school daycare program and later as a volunteer and teen member. Her Club helped her step out of her comfort zone and allowed her to build her confidence and connect with others.
Althea’s favourite thing about being at her Club is when kids ask her to help them create something, and later, they gift it to her. Althea’s hobbies include volleyball, biking, and swimming. Graduating high school soon, she hopes to study in the sciences and become a pediatrician.
As an NYC member, Althea wants to continue to involve herself in the BGC movement at the national level and help guide decision-making by amplifying youth voices.
Shaun (He/him), Treasurer
BGC Wetaskiwin
Shaun is joining the NYC for his second term as Treasurer and has been involved with his BGC Club since grade 7 as a member and then as a staff. His Club helped him grow and taught him what it means to be a leader in his Club and community.
Shaun’s favourite Club memories were leading others through activities and working with young people. Shaun enjoys maintaining his aquarium outside school, working on cars, and hanging out with friends. After high school, he wants to become an electrician.
As an NYC member, Shaun wants to expand his leadership knowledge and inspire others to do the same.
Ishiah (She/her), Secretary
BGC Dawson
Ishiah is returning to the NYC for her second term as Secretary. Joining her BGC Club at 12, Ishiah’s Club has helped her become more confident, explore her identity, and navigate her mental health. She has also received financial support from her Club throughout her post-secondary education and hopes to study art history or sociology.
One of Ishiah’s favourite BGC memories comes from a youth exchange program with BGC Winnipeg, but her most cherished ones are the casual conversations with Club members and
staff. Outside of her Club, she enjoys art, painting, and reading.
As an NYC member, Ishiah wants to challenge herself by stepping out of her comfort zone. She hopes to inspire other young people to be themselves and encourage them to be open-minded and willing.
Ruqaiyah (She/her)
BGC Eastview
Ruqaiyah is joining the NYC for her first term as a council member. She has been involved with her BGC Club since she was three years old and participated in many different programs as she grew up. At her Club, she built her confidence and learned that her voice matters—she realized that by speaking up, she could give others the confidence to do the same.
Ruqaiyah’s favourite Club memory was building a cardboard boat in a competition, where they used limited resources and raced in a pool against other teams.
Outside her Club, she enjoys reading, photography, and building Lego. When she graduates high school, she hopes to study psychology.
As an NYC member, Ruqaiyah wants to impact other youth the way her Club impacted her. She hopes to represent young people who may face challenges similar to hers and reassure them that everyone is included in meaningful conversations.
Laura (She/her)
BGC Saskatoon
Laura is joining the NYC for her first term as a council member and has been involved with her BGC Club for two years. Her Club provided her with a safe space and opportunities—like sitting on the White Buffalo Youth Council—that allowed her to grow as a person.
Laura’s favourite thing about being at her Club is singing with friends in her Club’s van. Her hobbies include writing, volleyball, and cooking—hoping to pursue culinary school.
As an NYC member, Laura wants to make new
friends, build on her social skills, inspire others to be themselves and remind them that anything is possible if they put their minds to it.
As an NYC member, Laura wants to make new friends, build on her social skills, inspire others to be themselves and remind them that anything is possible if they put their minds to it.
Natonya
BGC Cochrane
Natonya is joining the NYC for her first term as a council member and has been involved with her BGC Club in summer camps as a participant and then later as a volunteer and youth in the LeadUp 2.0 program. Her Club has inspired and encouraged her to create positive change, and she is currently working on a project that would provide housing for youth facing temporary homelessness.
Natonya’s favourite Club memory is a recent one—visiting Parliament Hill to talk about her youth homelessness project to Members of Parliament.
Outside of her Club, she enjoys school, listening to music, and volunteering in her community. She hopes to pursue social work or pharmaceutical medicine when she graduates high school.
As an NYC member, Natonya wants to explore the opportunities that allow her to have a voice for youth and create positive change at a national level and within her community.
Zara (She/her)
BGC St. Alban’s Club
Zara is joining the NYC for her first term as a council member. She has been involved with her BGC Club since preschool as a participant in after-school programs, summer camps, Raise the Grade and other extracurricular activities as a volunteer and staff member. Her Club gave her a sense of community, a safe space to learn, and countless opportunities.
Zara’s favourite Club memory is time spent working and helping other kids the way she was supported at the Club. Outside her Club, she enjoys drawing, writing, playing guitar, and
watching TV. After high school, she hopes to pursue a career that helps others, with a particular interest in the medical field and psychology.
As an NYC member, Zara wants to step out of her comfort zone, meet other like-minded people, create positive change, and ultimately represent her Club and community.
Brendan (He/Him)
BGC Cornwall/SDG
Brendan is joining the NYC for his first term as a council member and has been involved with his BGC Club since grade 1 as a participant and later as a volunteer and staff. His Club has helped him develop his leadership abilities and confidence through various opportunities.
Brendan’s favourite thing about his Club is the life skills he learned by being at BGC. Outside the Club, he enjoys building Legos, reading, and playing video games. After high school, he hopes to study neuroscience and biology.
As an NYC member, Brendan wants to make a difference in the lives of youth, with a particular interest in mental health and healthy coping skills in teens.
Grace
BGC Durham
Grace is joining the NYC for her first term as a council member and has been involved with her Club for six years—attending every program they offer. Her Club has helped her develop life skills and build her confidence when talking to others or meeting new people.
Grace’s favourite Club activity is playing board games and chess in the after-school program. Outside of BGC, she enjoys reading and playing video games. Once she graduates, she wants to study life sciences at Ontario Tech.
As an NYC member, Grace wants to expand her programming to help her and other Clubs provide programming that suits the needs of youth in communities.
James (He/him)
BGC Red Deer
James is joining the NYC for his first term as a council member and has been involved with his BGC Club for eight years as a participant, and now a staff member. His Club allowed him to enhance his leadership skills and led him to join the NYC.
James’ favourite Club activity is sitting with friends at the Club and playing board games. Outside of BGC, he enjoys collecting Mountain Dew cans, playing the trumpet and harmonica, hockey, reading, and playing video games. After high school, he wants to study chemical technology.
As an NYC member, James wants to help others have more opportunities and empower them to step out of their comfort zone and take a chance.
Luckya
BGC Central Vancouver Island
Luckya is joining the NYC for her first term as a council member and has been involved with her BGC Club for two years as a volunteer. Her Club allowed her to volunteer in her community, making a difference in the lives of young people.
Luckya’s favourite Club memory was volunteering for a colour run, where she threw powdered colours on the youth participating in the race. Outside of BGC, Luckya enjoys art, including digital design, photography, and running. After high school, she wants to study architecture.
As an NYC member, Luckya wants to gain new experiences and help develop workshops that help others learn how to find experiences that add to their education.
