Prospective Teams


Interested in joining the ever-growing YES! network? Find all the information you need below!

Enlist a ‘Coach’

YES! coaches are some of our favorite people. They are energetic, enthusiastic about making their schools and communities more sustainable, and fully committed to engaging youth in the process. They are often teachers (sometimes science, ag, or industrial tech, but also language arts, social studies, PE, Spanish, special ed, gifted & talented. . . the list goes on). Interested community members also make excellent coaches—in this case, it may be helpful (though not essential) to include an interested school staff person in the process.

It is no surprise that people of this description are often very busy. We encourage teams to look for a community member or other school staff person to serve as “assistant” coach, or to enlist two equal co-coaches.

Determine your region

Complete and submit your Team Application

West Central / North YES! region: Prairie Woods ELC & SWIF region YES team application

Southwest YES! region application:Prairie Woods ELC & SWIF region YES team application

or

Southeast YES! region application: Eagle Bluff ELC & SMIF region YES team application

Contact YES! staff

After your application is received, you will receive a YES! Coach Binder of program materials and information in the mail. Your coordinator will be in touch by phone or e-mail to welcome you to the program and to set up a time to meet personally with your team. The YES! program is designed to “meet you where you’re at” and provide the interaction that is most useful to the unique needs of your team, school, and community.

YES! Coordinators often send out weekly Updates of YES! news and events, as well as grant opportunities, information resources, and other tidbits that may be useful to teams.

Questions still unanswered? When in doubt, please contact us. We are here to meet the needs of our teams, and we love to hear from you!

Check out the Resources page for an index of documents and materials that are useful for teams and coaches.

Frequently asked questions

Which YES! coordinator should I contact?

YES! coordinators currently work out of offices in Hutchinson, Lanesboro, and Spicer.  To find the individual who serves your region please check out our staff page, and the map above. Alternatively, you may simply e-mail sayyes@youthenergysummit.org and we will be in contact with you.

Which parts of Minnesota are presently served by the YES! program?

(Please see map above)

What if our community is not in the region currently served?

We would still like to hear from you! Please e-mail us at sayyes@youthenergysummit.org. We continue to work on offering the YES! program to more regions of Minnesota, and we welcome communication from prospective teams or partners.

What other communities in my area already have YES! teams?

Please see our current map of YES! teams.

Is there an application deadline?

While applications are preferred by September 15th of the new school year, the application deadline is flexible. We value the opportunity to assist prospective teams in laying the groundwork for their teams prior to submitting an application. Please contact us throughout the year if you are interested in hosting a YES! team, and we will help guide you on how to best proceed.

When is the team fee due?

The team fee is due November 9th, 2011.  Coordinator’s are able to work with individual teams in submitting the team fee.

What funding resources are available to YES! teams?

The YES! program provides project seed funds to every active YES! team.  Each team is also eligible for expense reimbursement (i.e. transportation, substitute teacher fees etc…). Specific amounts vary annually – please contact your coordinator for specific details.

By participating in the YES! program, teams are also competing in our co-opetition. Each spring, teams are judged regionally

Additionally, YES! coordinators can assist teams in seeking additional support from local organizations and businesses.  Throughout the year, coordinators will also alert teams of numerous grant and award opportunities  for which you can choose to apply.

What other paperwork is necessary to be a team?

Besides the team application, each team member is asked to fill out a liability form.  Traditionally, a short application for funds is required mid-school year (December), to be followed by a final report describing your team’s activities in the spring. Report forms and processes vary annually and your coordinator will detail this information for your team at the appropriate time.