Youth Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS November 21, 2012 “Lead, Serve, Shine” Adult Commissioners Present (2) Carla Slawson-Martens, Chairperson Gary Moriello Student Commissioners Present (5) Emily Schwandner, Co-Chairperson Grace Elisco Danny Martens Kent Steinberg Ross Steinberg Commissioners Absent (17) Andy Han Sandie Huberty Allison Kaplan Ethan Kirshenbaum Casey Luc Harrison Marick Ethan Matlin Amanda Mawrence Lauren Schifferdecker Maddie Serota Michael Shore Kay Ellen Stein Peter Szemraj Josh Tolmatsky Adam Wagner Ryan Wagner Sharon Weingarten Village Staff Present Jason Batalden, Youth Commission Liaison Stacy Seiden, Recorder 1. Call to Order Co-Chairperson Schwandner called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane, at 7:05 PM. A quorum was present.  Page 2 Minutes of the November 21, 2012 Youth Commission Meeting 2. Review of Minutes Commissioner Moriello moved, seconded by Commissioner Martens, to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2012 Youth Commission meeting without corrections. On a voice vote, the motion carried. 3. Public Comments There were no public comments. 4. Operation Santa Claus Commissioner Moriello reported that Operation Santa Claus was proceeding well. He noted that he recruited additional sponsors and that the operation recently received positive publicity in the Northbrook Patch, Glenview Patch, and Northbrook Star. Liaison Batalden will remind Youth Commissioners to drop off their book donations at Village Hall by December 3, 2012. 5. 2012-2013 Youth Commission Scheduled Events A. Lake Cook Terrace – Wednesday, December 12 (replaces regular December meeting) Liaison Batalden reported that Lake Cook Terrace management preferred to schedule the Youth Commission visit there for December 12, 2012. Upon determining that there were no known scheduling conflicts, commissioners agreed to change the date of the Lake Cook Terrace event from December 5 to December 12. Chairperson Slawson-Martens described Lake Cook Terrace and the Youth Commission visit there for the benefit of those commissioners who had never participated in the event. During their visit, commissioners assist residents in making holiday crafts. Each commissioner should plan to bring a treat for residents. Near the end of the event, Chairperson Slawson-Martens plays the piano and commissioners sing holiday songs with the residents. Previous participants noted how much Lake Cook Terrace residents appreciate this visit. Chairperson Slawson-Martens explained that Lake Cook Terrace was located behind the mall with The Container Store. Commissioners will meet at 6:40 PM at Village Hall on December 12 and adult commissioners will drive those commissioners who need a ride. Before then, Liaison Batalden will send directions to Lake Cook Terrace to commissioners and determine which commissioners require transportation to and from the nursing home. B. Quiz Bowl – Thursday, February 28 (rehearsal at regular meeting on February 20) Chairperson Slawson-Martens noted that two Youth Commission events are scheduled for February 2013 – a regular meeting and rehearsal on February 20 and the Quiz Bowl on February 28. She explained that eighth graders participate in and commissioners organize the annual bowl. Commissioner responsibilities for the event include, for example, time keeping, score keeping, and distributing metals. Commissioners Moriello and Stein serve as bowl judges. Commissioner Moriello requested that Liaison Batalden forward bowl questions to Commissioners Moriello and Stein as soon as Liaison Batalden receives them to give the judges sufficient time to revise questions, as needed, before rehearsal. Commissioners are welcome to submit questions, as well. C. Film Festival – Monday, June 10  Page 3 Minutes of the November 21, 2012 Youth Commission Meeting Chairperson Slawson-Martens noted that she and Commissioner Martens will be unable to attend the Film Festival next year. Consequently, another adult commissioner will need to chair this event. She also reported that Commissioner Luc will follow-up with the Northbrook Theatre to possibly donate space for the festival, which may impact the event date. Commissioners will need to secure additional sponsors, as well. 6. Youth Forum Chairperson Slawson-Martens confirmed with Margaret Sullivan of Glenbrook North High School (GBN) that the Youth Commission will organize a Youth Forum next year. The purpose of the forum will be to provide parents of incoming GBN students with information from current students about a day in the life of a GBN student. Details about the forum will be arranged with Ms. Sullivan 7. Member Recruitment Chairperson Slawson-Martens noted the extensive article recently featured in the Northbrook Star that discussed the expansion of Youth Commission membership. Liaison Batalden confirmed that the Village Board of Trustees approved the relevant code amendment. Consequently, the commission may now have an unlimited number of student members and a total of seven commissioners are necessary to achieve a quorum for Youth Commission meetings. Previously, student membership was limited to seven. Chairperson Slawson-Martens noted that the commission was currently recruiting members because five commissioners will graduate from high school next year. Commissioner Elisco was aware of three students who were interested in membership—two of whom were in junior high and the other was a freshman at GBN. Commissioner Moriello suggested that Commissioner Elisco advise the potential members that the membership application was available online. Liaison Batalden will post the shorter version of the membership application on the Youth Commission Web page. Chairperson Slawson-Martens also noted that perspective members were welcome to participate in the December 12 Lake Cook Terrace event and should contact Liaison Batalden for more information. 8. Student Hot Topics Commissioner Elisco reported that she was running for president of the freshman class at GBN, Chairperson Slawson-Martens announced that the GBN musical will be West Side Story next year, and Commissioner R. Steinberg reported that ComedySportz recently organized a canned food drive at GBN. 9. January 16, 2013 Meeting Co-Chair Commissioner Martens agreed to serve as the student Co-Chair at the next Youth Commission meeting on January 16, 2013. Commissioners determined that, going forward, Youth Commission meetings will be paperless. Accordingly, Liaison Batalden will use a laptop to project the agenda and other relevant materials at future meetings. 10. Adjournment  Page 4 Minutes of the November 21, 2012 Youth Commission Meeting There being no further business, Commissioner R. Steinberg moved, seconded by Commissioner Moriello, to adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion carried. Co-Chairperson Schwandner adjourned the meeting at 7:40 PM. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Stacy J. Seiden Recorder