Youth Representatives to Boards & Commissions

Citizens for a Better City

NeedCBC seeks to support Falls Church City Schools, City Council and Boards & Commissions, and Civic Groups by:

Engaging a broader group of the City’s citizens, and promoting civic leadership development:

Getting busy adults to fill seats on Boards & Commissions, as well as with civic groups, is a major challenge

Parents become engaged when their children are involved

Many City Boards & Commissions have vacancies

At the same time, finding meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth and engaging citizens is an on-going challenge

PlanCBC’s plan is to:

Offer Boards and Commissions, as well as Civic Groups, the opportunity host 2 youth representatives each

Boards & Commissions, as well as Civic Groups, can self-select whether to host Youth Representatives for a one year term beginning in the Fall of 2014.

Youth representative seats will be non-voting and youth will not participate in closed sessions.

Will give youth a meaningful voice in our community and help better engage parents in civic issues.

SupportTies into pilots & emerging initiatives in community:

School Board’s successful pilot of Student Representative

Housing Commission exploring concept

GHMS’s IB Diploma “Creativity, Action, Service” (CAS) requirement can be fulfilled as Youth Representative

Ties into goal of creating new diploma program with service learning & civic engagement for broader range of students

Supported by City Manager Wyatt Shields, Schools Superintendent Dr. Jones, & GMHS Principal Byrd

Falls Church City Council, CBC, and VPIS Boards voted unanimous approval of concept

GoalsThis initiative will:

1. Create opportunities for youth to learn about civics at the local level in a hands-on way to prepare future generation of citizens

2. Give students opportunities to volunteer in meaningful ways

3. Enhance students’ college and job applications

4. Better engage parents & peers in civic life

5. Demonstrate Falls Church City’s commitment to youth by giving students a voice in decisions

PromotionCBC will promote opportunities by working with:

Principal

Students & SGA

Teachers

Guidance Counselors

Student Government

Students in Civics Courses

FCC Civic Groups

PTAs

Community-at-Large

EligibilityEligible youth will include:

All high school students living in FCC

Homeschooled & private school students

Sophomores will be especially encouraged to apply in spring so can volunteer in junior year

Special effort to encourage those students who otherwise may not have leadership opportunities

Selection process will focus on students’ interest & potential, rather than past achievements

Application Process Simple application focused on what

student hopes to contribute & get out

of experience

Also how they will share what they

learn

Applicants asked to try to attend

meeting of Board, Commission, or

Civic Group in mid-Sept to mid-Oct

before interviews begin in mid-Oct

For initial round, applications

available Sept 15th & Due Sept 30th

Selection Broad-based Youth Representatives Recommendation

Committee (YR2C) will

CBC

VPIS

Falls Church Democratic Committee

Falls Church Republican Committee

All Civic Groups that wish to participate

YR2C will receive & review applications, get principal recommendations, & interview candidates in October 2014

YR2C will make recommendations to City Council Appointments Committee & relevant Civic Groups by October 20th

Selection Criteria & Recognition

Candidates will be recommended to achieve broad representation from City youth

Will be selected based on their interest, commitment, and potential as a Youth Representative

Youth Representatives to Boards & Commissions will be sworn in by City Council, & have opportunity to present to Council during term; Youth Reps to Civic Groups will be elected by their governing body and by laws

Youth Representatives should have responsibilities and a clear role that is realistic for them to balance with academic, athletic and social priorities

CBC SupportCBC will work with City Council, City staff & YR2C to:

Provide protocols & guidelines, based on lessons learned by

School Board

Conduct workshop for Youth Representatives & host Boards

& Commissions, as well as Civic Groups, in November 2014

To help clarify roles, expectations, and how best to protect,

guide and engage Youth Representatives

Our thanks to City CouncilCBC’s Youth Reps Committee thanks City Council for your

support of the Youth Representatives initiative:

Carol Loftur-Thun, Chair & CBC 1st VP

Jerry Barrett

Craig Cheney

Paul Handly

Lindy Hockenberry

Ron Peppe

Q & A