OKLAHOMA CITY (NOVEMBER 9, 2023) — The Oklahoma Engineering Foundation (OEF) announces the formal establishment of the nonprofit’s first-ever statewide Youth Advisory Board, the OEF YAB. The group will provide independent advice and recommendations to OEF staff and trustees on how to improve, enhance and grow its programs, which include MATHCOUNTS Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Engineering Fair and the Oklahoma College Engineering Scholarship.
The OEF YAB will provide a critical perspective on how OEF can build upon five decades of success. The organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. According to the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives, more than 50 percent of nonprofits are destined to fail and 30 percent will close within 10 years of operation.
The OEF YAB will consist of 10 Oklahoma high school students in 9th-12th grades who are U.S. Citizens or who have student/exchange visitor visas. Members must demonstrate a keen interest in STEM. Requirements also include monthly ZOOM calls and quarterly meetings with a requirement to attend two consecutive meetings per calendar year, and volunteering at least one OEF event, which includes several MATHCOUNTS Oklahoma competitions and the annual Oklahoma Engineering Fair. Also, members must advocate and promote OEF’s programs on social media. OEF has a strong preference for students planning to major in math or engineering in college, and prefer students with social media content creation experience or proclivity.
“We can’t tackle the engineering challenges of our time including a need for 3,000 new engineers by 2028, without input from youth,” said Jennifer McCollum, APR, Executive Director, OEF. “The OEF YAB will help ensure that the voices and perspectives of our youth are included in OEF’s decision-making. It will also give students a wonderful leadership experience that will include authentic exercises in teamwork, public service, and networking.
Applications are due December 1, 2023. Visit the OEF YAB webpage for more information and to apply, https://oef.org/youth-advisory-board/.
Learn More: Register for our Webinar
OEF will host a virtual application webinar where students and parents can ask OEF staff questions live. The webinars will be on Zoom and will be hosted at the following times:
- Monday, November 13, at 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday, November 19 at 6 p.m.
Please use the form below to register. Once we receive your registration, we will email you a link to the ZOOM.