MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL The mission of the Mayor's Youth Council is to provide high school students the opportunity to develop leadership and citizenship skills while learning about city government. Members develop a sense of personal growth and achievement, a profound understanding of city departments and work year-round to establish a rapport with civic/community leaders and the citizens of Houston , as well as their respective elected officials.
The Mayor's Youth Council meets several times a month. The regular Council meeting is held in the City Council Annex Chambers, located in Downtown Houston. Meetings usually begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the general public and are televised by HTV, the city's municipal channel. The planning meeting is usually held in the morning, 10 am to noon, on the first Saturday of the month to discuss and review upcoming activities and tasks (locations will vary). Town Hall meetings, which are topic related, are held at various high schools throughout the city once a month in the evening. There are also opportunities to participate in community service activities a few times each month.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2008-2009 TERM:
DISTRICT and AT-LARGE MEMBERS: These members of the Youth Council are the primary representatives for their respective City Council district(s). These Youth Council members will work diligently with City of Houston departments, civic clubs and community-based organizations around the city. Youth Council members will plan and coordinate Youth Town Hall meetings, rallies, and other youth-related events. They will also take the responsibility of collecting data pertaining to youth related issues and making monthly reports to the Youth Council.
SENIOR AIDES: Youth Council Senior Aides are co-representatives, working alongside the District and At-Large Youth Council members in each position. Senior Aides have responsibilities such as assisting in the collection of information with their fellow Youth Council members, assisting in the organization of Youth Town Hall meetings, rallies and other youth-related events and serving as liaison with the Mayor's Teen Task Force. Senior Aides will represent their respective Council Member whenever he/she is absent or unable to attend meetings for their appointed district(s).
OFFICERS: Returning Youth Council members are usually considered for the offices of Chair (youth mayor), Chief-of-staff and City Secretary. In some instances, other offices are created to accommodate the needs and skills of the current group of youth council members.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be a high school student that resides or attends a school within the City of Houston, generally between the ages of fourteen (14) and eighteen (18) years of age.
Demonstrate strong interests in gaining knowledge about city government and promoting discussion on youth-related issues.
Commit to time requirements and expectations (i.e. 4 out of 6 Monthly Saturday Planning Meetings, 4 out of 6 Monthly Youth Council Meetings, 2 Town Hall Meetings and must participate in a minimum of 5 out of 10 Community Service Projects)
Show excellent abilities in organizing information for making reports to fellow Youth Council members and City of Houston Departments.
Work well with young people from a variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Read the enclosed application and respond to all questions to the best of your ability. Please include all requested information. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR CONSIDERATION.
If you need further information, you can call 832.393.0970 to contact the VIP office. Applications must be received no later than midnight on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 to be considered. The 2008-2009 term will begin in late September through early May.
The Mayor's Youth Council is an equal opportunity, non-profit youth initiative of the City of Houston, and does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, sex, religion, or national origin.
