Profile: Rosie Finney, Youth Forum Chair 22-23

Rosie Finney from Lincolnshire FYFC has been the Chair of the Youth Forum since February 2022. Before the group elects a new Chair this February, Rosie shares here experience and encourages others to consider taking on the role.

What is the Youth Forum?

The Youth Forum gives a voice for the younger members of NFYFC and allows their opinions to be heard and acted on at a national level, not just within NFYFC, but also within other youth organisations, like the British Youth Council.

Why did you want to be steering group chair?

I gave Youth Forum Chair a go as a way of pushing myself out of my comfort zone, while also helping to get the younger members' voices heard. It isn’t something I expected to do but seemed like too good an opportunity to miss and a great way to have a positive impact on the federation.

What has been your groups greatest achievement this year?

This year we have been involved in a joint project with SOS-UK, FLAME and the YFC AGRI Steering group, called ‘How Farming Can Cool The Planet’. The collaborative project aims to promote the positive impacts agriculture can have on the environment. The project isn’t completed yet, however it will be a good resource for young people and it has been great to work with other youth organisations.

Would you recommend being a steering group chair?

I would definitely recommend being chair of the Youth Forum. Not only do you get to represent the younger members of NFYFC, who now make up a large proportion of the membership, but you also get to voice their opinions and views at a national level.

I have really enjoyed my year as Youth Forum chair, meeting people from across the county at Council weekends, County Chairs' weekends and other meetings. I have also really enjoyed working with the Youth Forum members on some important topics, like support for club officers, promoting British agriculture and sustainability and promoting safe internet practices.

There are so many opportunities as a steering group chair, and I would really encourage people to give it a go.

If you are interested in becoming a steering group Chair, you will need to be elected on to one of the five steering groups that meet on the day before NFYFC Council. For more information, speak to the Council representatives from your County.