Agenda Item - 2001-09-17 - Number 3.3 - 3.3
09/ 17/01
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
AGENDA REPORT SUMMARY
MEETING DATE: September 17, 2001
SUBJECT: Youth Council Program
Councilor Turchi prepared four models for a Youth Council Program. This information is
provided to the Council for discussion. Council is requested to provide direction on how to
proceed with the program
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
ESTIMATED FISCAL ATTACHMENTS: NOTICED (Date):
IMPACT:
• Youth Council Models
STAFF COST: $ Ordinance no.:
BUDGETED:
Y N Resolution no.:
FUNDING SOURCE: Previous Council
consideration:
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CITY M y'AGER
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signoff/date signoff/date
Document4
Youth Council Models
The goal of the Youth Council program is to:
1. Give input into council decision on issues involving youth.
2. Participate at council meetings on all issues that come before the council.
3. Educate members of the pre-voting age community about the workings of local
government.
4. Provide students with access to the decision-making institutions of local
government.
5. Train future local government leaders.
6. Identify projects that would more closely tie the community's school age
population to civic duty and responsibility.
7. Be a part of an overall strategy of outreach to the community at large.
8. Provide mentorship and internship opportunities to members of the student school
community.
Model # 1
Full Engagement
This model envisions an activist Youth Council will have opportunities in each of the
areas above. Its characteristics are:
1. Students selected by application and interviews from each high school.
2. Students receive elective academic credit for local government.
3. Students will meet in groups, select a spokes person who will meet monthly with
the Mayor and one council designee to develop a monthly calendar.
4. The Youth Council shall meet once a month in a separate meeting.
5. Students will join in the annual council retreat for two hours to work on Youth
Council goals.
6. Each council member will have one Youth Councilor mentorship student, as will
the head of city departments.
7. Students will attend either morning or evening council meetings on a regular basis
or be replaced. (Absenteeism should not fall below 80% in an yearly quarter)
8. While in attendance at city meetings attention should be directed at the content of
the meetings rather than other activities. (i.e. homework etc.)
9. Each Youth Councilor will develop a plan for his/her involvement in the city
government to be worked on with their mentorship team.
10. Each Youth Council member will compose a paper of not more that 1500 words
that describes their experience and their relative success with their individual
goals.
Model #2
Observational Engagement
This model envisions a more passive Youth Council with the emphasis on
observation and limited involvement.
1. Students selected by application and interviews from each high school.
2. Students meet quarterly with the Mayor and Council members to discuss their
observations and questions. These meetings will include an academic
component.
3. Students will be paired with a council member and the Mayor to work on
individual students plans for their Youth Council experience.
4. Students will be encouraged to attend council meetings with an emphasis on
the work sessions where there is a less formal atmosphere.
5. To maintain membership on the youth council, members should attend at least
50% of all council meetings and be engaged. (i.e. no homework, etc.)
Model #3
Individualized Mentorship Model
This model envisions an active engagement of Youth Councilors with an individual
member of the city council. The quality of the experience is dependent on that
involvement.
1. Students selected by application and interviews from each high school.
2. Students will be selected by individual council members who will develop an
individual plan with their student.
3. The individual plan will contain the student's goals for their program and a plan
for reaching their goals.
4. Youth Councilor will attend city council meetings as necessary to meet the goals
of their plan. Attendance will not be required.
5. Each students experience will be unique and fitted to their needs.
6. This could achieve elective academic credit at their high schools depending on the
nature and extent of their plan.
Model #4
Projects
The model has students selecting as a group a project they want to work on as it
relates to the city. One city councilor will serve as a mentor to the group.
1. Students selected by application and interviews from each high school.
2. Youth Councilors will select a project for sustained involvement.
3. Working with a city council mentor, students will engage local government at all
levels in an effort to achieve their goal.
4. Youth councilors will take part in all aspects of local government from attending
meetings, testify, lobbying at whatever appropriate levels necessary, negotiations,
grass roots organization, and elections.
5. Youth councilors will meet on a regular basis and will report the city council on
their progress once every six weeks.