HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 - Youth Advisory Board - Annual ReportYOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
2008 Year End Report
The Youth Advisory Board was created by City Council resolution on April 19, 1994.
The purpose of the Youth Advisory Board is to gather information; to communicate with
organizations and agencies regarding youth -oriented issues and problems; to document
and discuss issues of importance to youth in the Fort Collins community, specifically as
they relate to City -operated services; to review and discuss legislation that may affect
youth; and to recommend to City Council local legislation and policy actions or changes
which would enhance the status of youth in the Fort Collins community.
The Board held nine regular meetings in 2008. The calendar year began with Matt
Strauch, Chairperson, and Erin Rooney, Vice -chairperson.
As the year 2008 ended, the Board was comprised of the following members: Kai
Stuckey, Vice -chairperson, Caroline Wockner, Vivian Acott, Lisa Parker and Brittany
Belmarez. Our Chairperson, Josh Disney, resigned soon after he was elected. Council
member Lisa Poppaw remains City Council representative to the Board. Steve Budner of
the Recreation Division served as staff liaison to the Board, and Carol Fahring,
Recreation Division, served as staff support.
Youth Advisory Board highlights of 2008 include:
• The speaker series continued in 2008 with Nancy Terry of Premier Mortgage
speaking on credit. She talked about things which hurt your credit score, who
looks at it and things you can do to improve it.
• In February Maddie Snow from Healthier Communities Coalition talked about _
training to help each individual become a more effective board member. In
September Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Commission on Disability talked to us about
considering those with disabilities as board members.
• Work continued on plans for re -organization of the Board.
• As is usually the case, the Board did not meet during June, July and August.
• Board members received monthly verbal reports of activities and participation at
the City's Northside Aztlan Community Center.
• The board had a training on September 19 with City Council. The purpose of the
training was to show council the importance of having youth members on boards.
Diane Jones and Lisa Poppaw attended.
• In the winter and spring of 2008 the Board hosted several city employees to speak
on topics concerning youth. In January Marlys Sittner and Kurt Ravenschlag from
Transportation/Dial-A-Ride talked about the services provided to youth by
TransFort. In February Ellen Martin from Arts in Public Places presented an
overview of the 2007 projects. In March Becky O'Donnell and Susan Jordan,
Human Resources discussed jobs available for youth through the City of Fort
Collins and how to apply for them. In April Doug Hutchinson, Mayor of Fort
Collins, discussed the 3 unrelated rule, the need for more recreational facilities
and the City's new logo. In May Jill Walusis and Megan Greer, Recreation
Marketing and Publicity, gave a presentation on press releases and public service
announcements.