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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 - Youth Advisory Board - Annual ReportCity of Fort Collins Youth Advisory Board 2011 Annual 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. In the Fall of 2011, the Youth Advisory Board voted to move to two meetings a month, since they do not meet over the summer. The goal in meeting more often was to be able to plan some youth centered events and carry them out in the course of nine months. Overall, 12 meetings were held in 2011. At the first of the year, Kai Stuckey was serving as Board Chair, Megan Ryssman as Vice Chair and Danika Ward as Secretary. In May four Youth Advisory Board members graduated from high school and resigned from the board. These members included; Kai Stuckey, Megan Ryssman, Danika Ward, Amanda Maciel, Paige Radtke. Board member, Michael Mahon’s family moved out of Fort Collins and he resigned as well. No Youth Advisory Board meetings were held in June, July or August. New officers were elected in September. Pranaya Sathe was named Chair, Kelsey Hennig, Vice Chair and Siyu Wu as Secretary. At year’s end the Youth Advisory Board was comprised of the afore mentioned officers plus, Langston Stuckey, Natalie Pederson, Nathan Welch and Rylee Johnston. Megan Greer is serving as the staff liaison. Since 2009, Aislinn Kottwitz has been the Youth Advisory Board’s City Council representative. 2011 Youth Advisory Board Accomplishments • YAB wrote and conducted a survey for middle school and high school students. 60 surveys were conducted in each middle school and high school in Fort Collins. The survey questions that were asked to middle school students were: 1. Have you experienced bullying at your school? 2. If you answered yes to question #1, what type of bullying have you seen? Internet bullying, sexual harassment, physical abuse, etc. 3. Do you think there is enough for middle school students to do in Fort Collins. 4. Would you like to see a program that would help you feel more prepared for high school? The results:  Over 50% have experienced or seen bullying. Cyber was the most common followed by verbal.  Create a mentorship program  Educate on why bullying is not ok  Have a place to turn in bullying complaints  Most kids think there is enough to do in Fort Collins; it is just a matter of knowing where to look.  Create an events calendar  Work with entertainment companies to promote events for middle school  Most kids would like an optional high school prep class  “A day in the life” have high school teachers come talk to students  Pre AP classes  Maybe high school students could come talk after school since they have recently made the transition Questions that were asked to high school students were: 1. Do you feel like you have the financial skills to be successful in the real world? 2. Would a finance class be helpful to prepare you for post-high school life? 3. Do you feel that there are enough youth oriented activities in the community. 4. If you answered YES to question #3, what types of activities do you enjoy participating in? If you answered NO, what type of activities or programs would you like to see offered. The results:  All 4 High Schools in Fort Collins participated in the survey.  Only half of the students surveyed feel ready for the real world  College prep class would be helpful  Include more shadowing experience to find what they really want to do  Finance class would be helpful  How to budget  Youth activates are not openly known  Events calendar needed  Publish a club directory- info, contact info  More club sports for fun  Ski/ concert/ hiking bus  Races specifically for youth  Clubs unrelated to sports The Youth Advisory Board put the results into a presentation and hosted a meeting for community members to share their findings in May. Youth Advisory Board also: • Volunteered at the Kites In The Park Kite Festival. • Promoted Zombie Prom in tandem with Turning Point. • Co-hosted the Make it Stop Anti-bullying Summit with Human Relations Commission & Commission on Disabilities Approximately 100 people attended including State Representative Randy Fischer and two members of PSD School Board. • Met with and provided feedback to Larimer County’s ‘Plug Into Nature’ initiative supported by Great Outdoors Colorado.