Gold Coast Region &

What are BBYO & Teen Connection? Mission Statement BBYO, Inc. is a worldwide youth organization dedicated to helping Jewish teens achieve personal growth according to their individual capacities so that they may lead personally satisfying and socially useful lives in the Jewish community and the larger community of which they are a part. Teen Connection is a division of BBYO, Inc. focusing on the engagement of Jewish teens in the 7 th & 8 th grades in leisure-time activities and informal Jewish education. These activities, which are social in nature, enable teens from neighboring communities to build friendships and share common interests and goals. Mission Statement BBYO, Inc. is a worldwide youth organization dedicated to helping Jewish teens achieve personal growth according to their individual capacities so that they may lead personally satisfying and socially useful lives in the Jewish community and the larger community of which they are a part. Teen Connection is a division of BBYO, Inc. focusing on the engagement of Jewish teens in the 7 th & 8 th grades in leisure-time activities and informal Jewish education. These activities, which are social in nature, enable teens from neighboring communities to build friendships and share common interests and goals.

Goals & Objectives of Teen Connection 1. To help Jewish youth explore their Jewish identity and engage them in something meaningful. 2. To provide a Jewish environment where 7 th & 8 th graders can meet on a regular basis for supervised leisure-time activities. 3. To provide an opportunity for Jewish 7 th & 8 th graders to socialize in both large and small group settings. 4. To expose 7 th & 8 th graders to new experiences, ideas, and issues, which will confront them as they become more independent. 5. To encourage the building of enduring friendships. 6. To bring together local area Jewish teens from nearby communities. 7. To keep this age group connected to Judaism during a time of transition. 8. To bring Jewish teens together from ALL SECTS of Judaism. 9. To have fun! 1. To help Jewish youth explore their Jewish identity and engage them in something meaningful. 2. To provide a Jewish environment where 7 th & 8 th graders can meet on a regular basis for supervised leisure-time activities. 3. To provide an opportunity for Jewish 7 th & 8 th graders to socialize in both large and small group settings. 4. To expose 7 th & 8 th graders to new experiences, ideas, and issues, which will confront them as they become more independent. 5. To encourage the building of enduring friendships. 6. To bring together local area Jewish teens from nearby communities. 7. To keep this age group connected to Judaism during a time of transition. 8. To bring Jewish teens together from ALL SECTS of Judaism. 9. To have fun!

Why Teen Connection? It is important to note that BBYO has been specializing in working with high school students for OVER 80 YEARS!!! So… why dabble with 7 th & 8 th graders? Our observations have shown that after the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, there is a gap in teens’ connections to Judaism. Thus, TEEN CONNECTION!!! It is important to note that BBYO has been specializing in working with high school students for OVER 80 YEARS!!! So… why dabble with 7 th & 8 th graders? Our observations have shown that after the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, there is a gap in teens’ connections to Judaism. Thus, TEEN CONNECTION!!!

How Much are Dues? Annual Dues for Teen Connection are $40, and expire June 30 th. Where does the money go? $20 – BBYO International Office (TC Member Dues) $20 – Regional Office (Administrative Costs & Program Subsidies) Annual Dues for BBYO are $60, and also expire June 30 th. Where does this money go? $47 – BBYO International Office (BBYO Member Dues) $13 – Regional Office (Administrative Costs & Program Subsidies) Annual Dues for Teen Connection are $40, and expire June 30 th. Where does the money go? $20 – BBYO International Office (TC Member Dues) $20 – Regional Office (Administrative Costs & Program Subsidies) Annual Dues for BBYO are $60, and also expire June 30 th. Where does this money go? $47 – BBYO International Office (BBYO Member Dues) $13 – Regional Office (Administrative Costs & Program Subsidies)

Why does My Child Still Have to Pay for Events & Retreats if He/She is a Member? While we do try to keep event & retreat prices low, particularly for members, $20 per member will only take us so far. We will be offering discounts &/or free events throughout the year for members, but as we all know, things cost money. While we do try to keep event & retreat prices low, particularly for members, $20 per member will only take us so far. We will be offering discounts &/or free events throughout the year for members, but as we all know, things cost money.

How Often Are Events? The South Broward Calendar has already been created, so make sure to pick one up on your way out!!! Events take place monthly, as this is the format for Teen Connection nationally. Bar/Bat Mitzvah schedules, and other things keep the kids extremely busy throughout the year, and we don’t want the kids to “burn out” on being Jewish. Also, this is not yet BBYO, where events are held weekly, or even more often sometimes. Their time for that kind of involvement will come; let’s ease them into it without over-programming them. The South Broward Calendar has already been created, so make sure to pick one up on your way out!!! Events take place monthly, as this is the format for Teen Connection nationally. Bar/Bat Mitzvah schedules, and other things keep the kids extremely busy throughout the year, and we don’t want the kids to “burn out” on being Jewish. Also, this is not yet BBYO, where events are held weekly, or even more often sometimes. Their time for that kind of involvement will come; let’s ease them into it without over-programming them.

What are the Policies? Eligibility TC is designed for Jewish teens in 7 th & 8 th grade. A potential member becomes eligible to join in February of his/her 6 th grade year, and completes the program in June of his/her 8 th grade year, although we encourage 8 th graders to join AZA or BBG chapters starting in April. Eligibility TC is designed for Jewish teens in 7 th & 8 th grade. A potential member becomes eligible to join in February of his/her 6 th grade year, and completes the program in June of his/her 8 th grade year, although we encourage 8 th graders to join AZA or BBG chapters starting in April.

What are the Policies? The Activity Year The program year runs from July 1 st through June 30 th. In April of the 8 th grade year, a member of TC is eligible to join BBYO, thus ending his/her involvement in TC. The Activity Year The program year runs from July 1 st through June 30 th. In April of the 8 th grade year, a member of TC is eligible to join BBYO, thus ending his/her involvement in TC.

What are the Policies? Staffing Each program will have at least one professional staff member in attendance for every 15 youth participants. Staffing Each program will have at least one professional staff member in attendance for every 15 youth participants.

What are the Policies? Insurance All registered and prospective members are covered under the BBYO insurance policy. Insurance All registered and prospective members are covered under the BBYO insurance policy.

What are the Policies? Registration Procedure The TC application must be completed & signed by both the member & a parent/guardian. The application and payment must be sent to the Gold Coast Region BBYO Office at the David Posnack JCC in Davie (address is on the application). Registration Procedure The TC application must be completed & signed by both the member & a parent/guardian. The application and payment must be sent to the Gold Coast Region BBYO Office at the David Posnack JCC in Davie (address is on the application).

What are the Policies? Code of Conduct Appropriate behavior is expected of all participants. All policies will be closely monitored & enforced by the professional staff. Code of Conduct Appropriate behavior is expected of all participants. All policies will be closely monitored & enforced by the professional staff.

What are the Policies? Overnight Programs There will be at least one overnight program during the year (a retreat in December). All participants on these programs must have turned in the appropriate forms and releases and will be expected to abide by the BBYO Code of Conduct at all times. Health & safety at all programs is our #1 priority! Overnight Programs There will be at least one overnight program during the year (a retreat in December). All participants on these programs must have turned in the appropriate forms and releases and will be expected to abide by the BBYO Code of Conduct at all times. Health & safety at all programs is our #1 priority!

What Can Parents Do to Be More Involved? If you & your teen are both comfortable with your presence at an event, we are always looking for volunteers to help with staffing. Other opportunities for involvement include: Fundraising Assisting with Membership Drives In-Kind Donations of Goods &/or Services Advising an AZA or BBG Chapter If you & your teen are both comfortable with your presence at an event, we are always looking for volunteers to help with staffing. Other opportunities for involvement include: Fundraising Assisting with Membership Drives In-Kind Donations of Goods &/or Services Advising an AZA or BBG Chapter