SINCE BEING elected president of the Tobago Youth Council (TYC) on February 8, Dayreon Mitchell has been conceptualising ways to build on the organisation’s foundation as the island’s premier youth voice.
Mitchell’s first order of business was to initiate a series of “crucial actions to set a productive and inclusive tone” for his two-year tenure.
“This transition provided an opportunity to build upon the foundations we had laid during my time as vice-president while also introducing new initiatives and improvements,” he told Sunday Newsday.
Mitchell also convened a meeting with members of the executive to discuss the council’s goals and expectations during its term.
“This allowed us to align our visions and establish a strong sense of unity among our leadership.”
For Mitchell, who turns 29 on October 30, members must be engaged fully in the council’s processes.
[caption id="attachment_1034599" align="alignnone" width="1024"] From left, Terri Ann Baker, vice president Trinidad Youth Council, Youth Development Minister Foster Cummings and Tobago Youth Council president Dayreon Mitchell at a conference in New York. -[/caption]
“I initiated a dialogue with council members to ensure that their voices and perspectives were heard. We conducted a series of brainstorming sessions to gather ideas for projects, events and initiatives that would resonate with the diverse needs and interests of our members.”
This, he said, culminated in the creation of a comprehensive development plan, which outlines the council’s priorities, identifies key milestones and establishes a timeline for the implementation of projects and activities, including strategies to address pressing youth-related issues.
Mitchell, who succeeded Janae Campbell, also began networking with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), other local organisations and community leaders to deepen existing partnerships.
“Collaborations with these stakeholders are essential in securing resources, support and expertise to effectively carry out our initiatives.”
Enhancing the skills of TYC members was also on his to-do list.
“Recognising that our success depends on the skills and capabilities of our members, I organised training workshops to empower them with leadership skills, project-management knowledge and public-speaking abilities. These training sessions are aimed at enhancing our members' capacity to lead and contribute meaningfully to the council's initiatives.”
Mitchell, who lives in Lambeau, is a graphic information specialist with the Tobago Emergency Management Agency. He designs digital maps using geospatial data and analyses spatial and non-spatial information.
He attended Bishop’s High School and St Augustine Secondary before moving on UWI’s Mona and St Augustine campuses, where he got a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in biodiversity, conservation and sustainable development.
His TYC executive comprises 13 people, while the council’s general membership is drawn from over 24 clubs and societies. But the size of t
