City Manager's Office
503-635-0215
Youth Leadership Council
Members of this two-year council meet with local leaders to gain insight into city government and provide a youth perspective on issues that impact the community. Each month, Youth Leadership Council (YLC) members meet with city and state officials to ask questions, set goals, and gain a deeper understanding of their roles. This involves:
- Pursuing a group policy project.
- Meeting regularly with Lake Oswego’s Mayor and City Councilors.
- Exploring the underlying systems that power LO through tours of City facilities.
- Applying critical thinking, leadership, and advocacy skills.
- Attending City Day at the State Capitol.
- Taking a second-year trip to Washington, DC.
Applications for 2025 appointments are closed. Click below to receive an email when our next recruitment cycle opens (April 2026) and to learn about other opportunities to get involved with the City.
Meeting Information
The Youth Leadership Council meets once per month for two hours during the school year. Regular meetings times are based on member availability and set at the beginning of each academic year.
Second-year members in good standing are eligible to attend the National League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility & Membership
Youth Leadership Council participants must be enrolled in high school and live at least part-time within the Lake Oswego Urban Services Boundary. To see the Urban Service Boundary on LOMap, click 'Layers', then 'Boundaries', then 'USB'.
Most selected applicants are rising sophomores and juniors. Those entering their first year or last year of high school are also eligible and encouraged to apply.
In 2040, Lake Oswego is a diverse, cohesive community that everyone is able to engage in, whether it be through attending cultural festivals, supporting grassroots initiatives, or visiting one of the many recreational spaces dispersed across the city. Featuring beautiful parks and greenery, strong schools, flourishing small businesses, well-maintained public and accessible facilities, and delicious restaurants – Lake Oswego prioritizes the happiness and health of its residents.
By supporting the well-being of citizens, whether it be mental or physical, our community prioritizes taking action. Creating affordable housing for diverse people to inhabit, fostering sustainable practices to help the planet, creating resilience among residents in the face of natural disasters, nurturing agency within citizens through public engagement of city activities, and creating more transportation opportunities for non-drivers are only a handful of the methods the city employs.
Overall, Lake Oswego is invested in raising exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive citizens that enrich the city for years to come.
Ratified October 14, 2024. For more details, click here.