Community Relations Commission

APPROVED Community Relations Commission: Youth Forum Subcommittee September 3, 2013 Terrace Room, 7:00pm The meeting was called to order at 7:15p.m. in the Terrace Room at the Northbrook Village Hall by Community Relations Commission chair Ray Wehr. CRC Members present: Bruce Doughty. Also present: Nancy Vaccaro, Joy Start, Amy O’Leary, Sari Glazebrook, Ashley Almdale, Shannon LeMaster- Smith and Staff Liaison Kendal Maltas. Welcome: Chair Wehr welcomed everyone to the meeting. He noted that Glenbrook North High School started classes last week. Hear from the Audience: No Report Discussion/Review: Chair Wehr noted that overall, press coverage for Northbrook Cares has been very good. He also stated that there will be a new Youth Commission member on this subcommittee. a. Website/Logo Design:  Website: o The subcommittee reviewed the base template for the Northbrookcares.com website, which currently lists information for the various service agencies represented at the June 19 Youth Summit meeting. The information presented for each follows a specific template. o Needs/Suggestions:  Mission Statement & History  Infographic/Table on the homepage which provides a quick overview of the various agencies and services provided. Perhaps, the infographic could be broken up by various trigger words (i.e. Depression) that when you click, you are taken to a listing of the agencies that provide those services.  A page of partner agencies (Police Department, Northbrook Park District, Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook YMCA, etc.) should be included.  We should consider having separate sections for parents and youth.  Look at developing a website subcommittee.  Logo Design: o The Youth Commission suggested working with GBN on development of a logo as well as review of the website. o Chair Wehr will follow-up with Principal Pryma. b. Suggested Events to Support:  Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook has a benefit event on Friday, September 27. While the subcommittee felt this would be a great event to attend, there are still some items that we need to further develop before officially launching.  Sari noted that there is an Annual Meeting at the North Suburban YMCA towards the end of October, beginning of November.  Joy noted that the Park District has Autumnfest on October 5, an Ice Skating Winter Welcome in December, and the Winter Carnival in January. Page 1 of 2   Chair Wehr noted that Principal Pryma had expressed interest in having a Northbrook Cares presence at a football game. The last home game of the season is Friday, October 18. o What Needs to Be Done:  Chair Wehr will follow up with Principal Pryma  Website needs to be “finalized”  Logo  Mission Statement  Promotional materials that have web address  Banner (Sari noted that the YMCA has a banner machine) c. Publicity: Plans & Objectives  Invite press to upcoming meetings  Draft a Media release for each organization to send out. Provide this information also to the School Districts and Houses of Worship.  Shannon suggested that we look into creating a Facebook page and/or Twitter account. Liaison Maltas will follow-up with the Village Communications Manager. d. Additional Thoughts  Bruce asked what the next steps of the group should be. While the website/resource guide is the most important now, at one time a forum concept had been discussed.  Chair Wehr noted that the website will help to get the word out. We can reconvene the large summit group to get feedback and determine what we can do next, what is needed.  Sari noted that we could have a survey on the website.  Shannon noted that we should have an events section on the website which can link to what other groups are currently doing.  Sari suggested that after the October 18 launch, we have a reception for Youth at a House of Worship or perhaps the YMCA. The event does not have to immediately follow the game, but could be held on another date shortly thereafter. o What we are currently missing is an event for youth. o Bring youth together in a safe environment where we can support, embrace and empower our youth. Allow kids to be kids. o This type of fun event could be held once a year. o It can include music, food, giveaways. o Shannon noted that service projects are also a great outlet to bring youth together. o Joy suggested that this event could include a pledge that kids can take (i.e. “I Pledge to Take Care of Myself/A Friend/Someone in Need”).  Next Meeting: September 25, 2013 at 7pm. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kendal Maltas, Staff Liaison Page 2 of 2