- Encouraging Youth
Civic Participation
An
important goal in the Legacy vision is empowering youth
to participate in decisions that affect their city and neighborhoods.
One way the City of Burlington is increasing opportunities for youth to
be involved in civic activities is through the Youth On Boards
initiative.
Youth On
Boards is a program that allows teenagers, ages 15
to 17, to serve on city commissions and boards providing an opportunity
for youth to influence public policy.
Youth On
Boards is expanding to non-profits throughout
Chittenden County under the YMCA's ImpactPlus project. Click here
for information on the
project.
- What
city boards do youth serve on?
Since
2002, youth have been serving on the:
Library
Commission, the Parks
and Recreation Commission and the School Board.
A City
Council resolution was passed in September 2003 to
extend the Youth On Boards pilot initiative for another year and expand
it to the:
Police
Commission, the Planning
Commission and the Conservation
Board.
There
are also youth positions on:
The
Legacy Project Steering Committee, the Burlington
Food Council, and the Club Youth Speak Out Board.
If you
are 15 to 17 years old and a Burlington resident you
can apply to serve on a city board or commission.
Please
contact Wanda at the Burlington Legacy Project
for the most up-to-date listing of board vacancies, and an application
form.
By email: Wanda Hines
By phone: (802) 865-7594
By old-fashioned mail: The
Burlington Legacy Project
Attn: Youth On Boards
City Hall, Rm 32
149 Church Street
Burlington, VT 05401
The
importance of youth in city government
Burlington's
youth are passionate about their beliefs, devoted to the city, and
determined to have a meaningful impact on its future direction. It is
essential that our educational and governmental institutions better
integrate youth into our community, channeling their creative energy
and supporting them in their efforts to serve their neighborhoods. This
commitment must extend to all avenues of life and recognize that
learning, self-improvement, and building a healthy community are
lifelong ventures.
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Positions available for 2008
APPLY NOW!
Contact Wanda for an application and
full listing of available boards.
Youth
Rep. Words of Wisdom
City
Government 101
Robert's Rules of Order: the
basics
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