Interesting article in yesterday's Washington Post about the National Youth Rights organization that is focused on getting age restrictions exchanged for competency restrictions of the under 21 folks.

Overal the concept is great and sound.  However, what most caught my eye was a little detail noting that the national organization has high school students seated as members of the organization's board. 

Perhaps this is a lesson and perhaps a warning of caution.  Many nonprofits, especially those serving youth, have always been uneasy seating youth on the board.  They often find alternative methods for seating them so they have a programming voice but not a fiduciary voice.  And here lies the rub.

Can a youth, with few legal recognitions, really serve as a fully fiduciarily responsible board member?  Can they live up to the duties (I believe they can) and be held fully responsibly particularly if the organization does bad things when the "system" doesn't acknowledge them as "owners".

Questions to ponder....