For this study, we chose to focus their comments on “succession” and “succession planning”.

Q1.  What prior knowledge did you have of the environment (being the AA District Council) you were in or heading into?  Did you have any idea what would happen after you served (say) 12 months?  What were your expectations for yourself and of the opportunity?

Nadine - I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just saw it as another way to connect with roading in our community when I was a part of SADD. I was just starting out my time as a SADD Regional Leader and saw this as a great opportunity to meet more people and gain more knowledge. I was unsure if this was a long-term thing or just coming along every so often. There was no real commitment as such. Usually those who do 12 months will either be off to uni and moving away or will stay for another year. I felt as though there were no expectations as such. I think the opportunity was more for the AA district council themselves and getting more young people there to learn more about how we value the roading community and our opinions on how things are going.

Maddi - I had no idea what the AA district council was or what they did. School asked if someone from our SADD group would attend a meeting or two and see what it was about. After attending two or so meetings I began to enjoy the environment. I had no idea that I would continue on the board for my second year this year (2024). After gaining my National Leadership role I knew that having my (own) community AA would be helpful on both sides; being able to keep the District Council in touch with new ideas and getting feedback from a range of generations for SADD. I was very unsure what would come after 12 months of being on the council, I never thought I would stay for a second year but I am so pleased I have.  Many people after their 12 months’ leave to go to uni or have work commitments so I was very grateful to be able to do another year. The expectations I had for myself was to learn from what others of different generations have to say, as well as hopefully teach them things young people know about driving and sharing our opinion on what is an important change. 

Q2.  When did you start thinking about what would happen when the time came to pass the baton - either as an existing Council participant or as someone coming into it?  Did you recognise that what was happening was “succession”?

Nadine - I feel as though we had not realised how big of an opportunity and connection we had made for ourselves. Passing the baton to others was a breeze for me as St Kevins had such a strong group and anyone would jump at an opportunity to get more involved in the community. I'm very grateful to have had Lena (Dupu - fellow student).  She was the best person for it as she had great experience with SADD and also being a National Leader. I knew it was definitely a succession as we were building a very strong relationship with the council and this will be our 4th year having continued passing the baton. Also with our district having such a strong SADD connection we have also had Maddi as a National Leader which was a prime person to have on the council. Hopefully going forward we will still have passionate SADD students wanting to continue as a student advocate. 

Maddi - I had not realised what myself and Casey (Sims) were a part of passing the baton.  We both joined the council at the same time and once she graduated, I continued, I am beginning to think of myself passing on the baton for next year’s new youth member to take over from me when I go to uni, I still do want to try coming to the odd meetings when I’m home, to catch up with everyone and see if I can give some insight from my new community where I am studying. 

Q3.  From your perspective - how did the District Council address the need to retain student interest?  Did they mention it and “manage” any of the process?  Was it spoken about or did it just sit with students?  Did you feel like having young people present was something they absolutely wanted to keep going?

Nadine - We went through a stage where there would be 4-5 students coming to meetings but we soon agreed that we would only have 2 people come each month. This was discussed between the SADD members to see who wanted to go etc. It rotated around the schools which was great as they could all come back after a few months and share what they had been up to. 

The council for sure wanted students to continue coming back as they enjoyed having them there and getting them involved in discussions. As our council is full of people 50+ of age it was great to have a bit more diversity within opinions of different things. They left it up to the students to organise passing the baton so that they can choose the best person possible to fit the environment and will be committed and passionate. I believe the council had trust in us to bring these people in and so far it has worked well. 

Maddi - When I first began my time in the council we had created an agreement that only a small number of students would come to each meeting and monthly this would rotate. However It began to be mainly the four of us that stuck around so we all ended up attending all the meetings, because with our busy school and work lives we made sure to have at least one of us there.  The majority of the time we all made it to every meeting. The district was very encouraging of having us attend and Andrew our SADD go to on the council, mentions what the plan is for the following year and encourages us to pass the baton on. The council would offer support if we needed it but we were mainly very independent, which was my choice. I feel that the council really enjoyed having youth present as we helped reduce the average age and brought new opinions and practices with us. They make the council very enjoyable and welcoming, they care about our opinion and offer support, so I think it is great to have a more diverse age range for opinions.

Q4.  Was there anyone on the Council who could help if you needed it?  Did you know you could turn to SADD if you needed assistance?

Nadine - I think everyone was there to help. If we had any questions they were all open to answer them and assist. In the last year the councilors have been assigned roles on the council and now Andrew is the point of contact for SADD students. He gets involved, goes to school meetings and reports back on anything he has heard about SADD in the community or from the leaders. SADD help - yes 100%, After speaking with Roger he always said his assistance was there if I needed it at all which was reassuring. 

Maddi - Support is offered from everyone on the council, they all want to help. Our main contact is Andrew Steel whose role on the council is to support the SADD students. Andrew loves to be involved and he is happy to lend a hand when he can and he loves coming to our school events. I would definitely turn to SADD if I needed more assistance.  After meeting and speaking with Roger, Donna and Vic they are so lovely and helpful. It is a good feeling to know that support from them is there if we need it. 

Q5.  Taking October/November 2023 as the time succession would occur, how did you feel before and after?  Was the change-over recognised?  Will it be recognised?  Has anything been shared with you about how the Council will react?

Nadine - I definitely think it has been recognised so much by our district as well as by other districts. For example, when some of the AA councilors went to the National Conference, many people came up to our members and talked about our SADD students/young people on the council and wanted to know how they had done it. The Otago district council had also heard that I may have been attending uni down there, and put in their minutes that they would like to get in contact with me to join their district council. 

In the last couple of months I have noticed in the other district council minutes there has also been more talk about SADD and SADD students coming along to meetings. This is absolutely awesome to see and is promising for the future. I believe that the National Council Conference had an impact on this as I heard that a SADD group from the local area actually spoke at the Conference which is amazing to see.

Maddi - The changeover was definitely recognised not only at our council level but also from other districts. The council is so supportive and encourages those students who are leaving the board to stay in touch and wish them all the best etc.  They are really positive and supportive of the next steps for you as an individual. Many other districts praised our district at national level for our consistency of SADD students and the support we have access to from our local council. Personally I am sad to be finishing up at the end of the year, however I will definitely be making an effort to stay in touch and come to meetings when I am home from University. 

Q6.  Unless everything went well and you were 100% happy, what would you like to have done to assist (this could be by either the District Council or SADD)?  What was missing to make it easier and better understood?

Nadine - I do believe there is a gap from the start though with what our purpose was on the council and I do believe that is an improvement that needs to be made in the future if district councils are wanting these students in advocate roles. Some students may believe they will go along to get funding to fulfill future projects, some may believe they just sit and listen and report back, some may want to be the voice of the student/youth population in their district. I believe there is a bit of a gray area in terms of what students are there for. A simple solution for this would be to discuss with the AA and SADD what they would like to get out of students being on the council and what their purpose is and how they can fulfill that. A document could be circulated to all district councils with how to find students then also explain what they want them for. Each district council is different and has different views. 

Maddi - I completely agree with what Nadine has said. Having the AA district council have a plan for their students. Explain to them about their purpose on the council and what their role will include. Many councils are nervous, or, perhaps, overthinking how, what and why for having a youth representative but I would say the best thing to do is just invite them, let the students with support pick their path with the AA.

Q7.  If another District was to follow suit with their students, what advice would you share with a) students, b) Councillors

Nadine - Students: Give it a go!! All you need to do is attend 1 meeting and see if it’s for you, if not then that’s okay too. If you wanted to continue I would say be consistent, be honest and don’t be afraid to speak. Councilors: Be open, then kind and welcoming. If you are just going sit there all night and not speak to them, don't expect them to come back. First Impressions are everything. Be welcoming and make them feel included, reassure them that they are just as equal as you and be open and listen to young people’s opinions as we view things differently. Also push and make the young ones speak, they will be shy and maybe intimidated.

Maddi - Councillors: Be welcoming, supportive and explain in depth about who and what everyone does. Students will work better when involved so make them feel involved.  They may not at first speak until spoken to, so make that first move and get the chats going. Reassure them that you are one team and that they are welcome to share their opinions at all times.

As for students - why not, just give it a go! If it is for you, great.  If not, then that’s completely fine as well. It’s good to remember that they are governance meetings and not all content is of interest to everyone all the time.  If you get involved, share ideas and put your message out there, meetings will be more to your benefit. Bonding with others on the council can not only support your particular message, but also bring support into your personal life and at school.  No doubt the councilors want to help in any way they can so just ask.

Q8.  Have you picked up any new or transferable skills (you can also include transitional skills that have helped you move from school to adult life) that you can mention?  Have they proved important?

Nadine - Meeting format is a great skill to learn and follow, although I have already been familiar with it from Youth Council and the school board, it is still a great skill for those who are not used to it. Moving motions and voting is a great skill to learn. Other things would be just speaking up to the older generation. Having confidence and not being afraid is a great skill for the future. Also just learning more about issues in our community is great as well. When at school you are quite isolated in terms of things we are ‘too young to understand’ but at district council meetings we learn to understand issues that people face in adult life.  Plus just getting opinions from different age groups and how people view different things is a great thing to learn.

Maddi - A new skill for me was having sit-down, board-style meetings, this formal style of meeting teaches you many skills. Being included in all conversations and learning how different aspects work and how we can make a difference to the community. It is an important step to be able to hold your opinions and thoughts out loud. Being able to share what you think to new faces is an important skill to have for the future. 

Kaitiaki o Ara acknowledges the work Nadine and Maddi put into capturing this chapter in their life.  We also wish to acknowledge their service along with
Lena and Casey on the North Otago AA District Council.