By parents, IYLI refers to guardians, grandparents, foster parents and biological parents.  Indeed, any significant adult in a students’ life can participate in the IYLI Parent Council.  Parents are important members of the IYLI community.  Parents elect two representatives to the IYLI Board of Directors. Whether individually or through collective efforts, they provide concrete assistance to the Institute and encouragement and guidance, which support their child's involvement in IYLI.  The Parent Council is instrumental in fundraising for the International Study Programs and providing the Institute with a range of information and resources. 

Aside from lending support to the Institute, parents are invited to attend seminars and get involved in other activities, such as the annual Three Kings Day/Kwanza celebration, year-end celebration, and newsletter.  The overall experience of Fellows is enhanced by the extent to which parents, Fellows, staff and other volunteers work together.  IYLI promotes a sense of family and fellowship. The Parent Council holds meetings coinciding with the IYLI Saturday seminars. Meetings are generally held from 3 to 5 p.m. 

The specific ways the Parent Council assists IYLI vary from year to year depending on the interests, talents and resources of parents as well as the needs of Fellows and the Institute.  Some of the areas where the Parents' Group has lent valuable support are:

    1) Identification of resources: The Parents Council plays a very helpful role by identifying a) opportunities for student recruitment, b) seminar speakers, c) community service sites, d) funding sources and e) opportunities for public relations/publicity.  Parents are ambassadors for IYLI and make and develop useful contacts.   Parents write articles for IYLI News. Parents also contribute to IYLI celebrations by preparing food and refreshments.

    2) Fundraising for the Summer International Study Program is enhanced by the significant contributions of the Parents' Group and individual parents.  Indeed, without the support and encouragement of parents, many Fellows would not have the opportunity nor would they believe in the possibility of participating in the overseas program.

    3) Recruitment and selection of new Fellows: Parents make presentation to community groups to recruit new Fellows.  They also participate as part of a team to review applications and conduct interviews with applicants.

IYLI Parent Coordinator:  Jean Brown