It's time to nominate one of the young people you work with for a 2010 YNPN Award! Young people who are part of our staff or boards give so much passion and energy to our organizations. They come with new ideas, networks and a commitment to get things done. How wonderful it would be to give an additional thank you for their work by nominating them for a YNPN Award!

The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) promotes an efficient, viable and inclusive nonprofit sector that supports the growth, learning and development of young professionals. They engage and support future nonprofit and community leaders through professional development, networking and social opportunities for young people involved in the nonprofit community.

Do you know of an outstanding young person who has demonstrated skillful leadership in making a difference for people, animals and the environment?

If so, send us your nomination for the 2010 Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Award!

The Jane Goodall Global Leadership Awards honor organizations and individuals who share Dr. Jane's values, vision and commitment to making a positive difference in the world for all living things.

The awards are given in the categories of Youth Leadership, Excellence in Public Policy, Global Leadership, Corporate Social Responsibility and Responsible Activism in Media and Entertainment.

The Youth Leadership Award recognizes an individual (14 to 24 years of age) who exhibits leadership and excellence through his or her work to help preserve our natural world, protect animals or benefit our human community.

For the first time, PARADE has partnered with the national youth-service organization The LEAGUE to honor—with special recognition by the U.S. Department of Education—high school students who are changing their communities through service. We invited PARADE readers to nominate students in five categories: economics, the environment, education, community, and health. Later this month, the 15 winners will be honored at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the ING Foundation. “Their entrepreneurial spirit is inspiring,” says Education Secretary Arne Duncan. “These young people are our future leaders.”

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Amy Biehl, a graduate of Santa Fe High School, understood that, as an American, she had it better than many people in much of the world. She also believed that she had a duty to give back—to make life better for others who were not so fortunate. To that end, Amy went to South Africa at the age of 26 as a Fulbright Scholar to help that country’s leaders develop a new constitution. While conducting voter registration for South Africa’s first all-race election—the election that would end apartheid—she was killed in a riot.

The 16th Annual Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award winners in 2009 were Alejandra Carmona of Albuquerque and Fionna Walters of Mexican Springs. The Two honorees were Alex Wirth of Santa Fe and Arielle Hawney of Sapello.

Global Youth Service Day mobilizes youth to identify the needs of their community. Organizations participate by providing opportunities for youth engagement.