Youth Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS January 23, 2013 “Lead, Serve, Shine” Adult Commissioners Present (5) Carla Slawson-Martens, Chairperson Gary Moriello Lauren Schifferdecker Michael Shore Sharon Weingarten Student Commissioners Present (8) Danny Martens, Co-Chairperson Zainab Ahmed Grace Elisco Andy Han Allison Kaplan Ethan Kirshenbaum Amanda Mawrence Emily Schwandner Commissioners Absent (12) Sandie Huberty Casey Luc Harrison Marick Ethan Matlin Maddie Serota Kay Ellen Stein Kent Steinberg Ross Steinberg Peter Szemraj Josh Tolmatsky Adam Wagner Ryan Wagner Village Staff Present Jason Batalden, Youth Commission Staff Liaison Stacy Seiden, Recorder 1. Call to Order Co-Chairperson Martens called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane, at 7:00 PM. A quorum was present.  Page 2 Minutes of the January 23, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting 2. Review of Minutes Commissioner Moriello moved, seconded by Commissioner Schwandner, to approve the minutes of the November 21, 2012 Youth Commission meeting without corrections. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 3. Public Comments There were no public comments. 4. Operation Santa Claus Debrief Following the commissioners briefly introducing themselves, Commissioner Moriello reported that Operation Santa Claus was highly successful. Six classes were added to the operation from the previous year and there was “no difficulty” securing sponsors for the additional students. A formal thank-you will be sent to those who participated in the operation. 5. Lake Cook Terrace Debrief Chairperson Slawson-Martens thanked those commissioners who participated in the Youth Commission Lake Cook Terrace event last December. She reported a “good turnout” and thanked Commissioner Huberty for providing the craft materials. Chairperson Slawson-Martens described the experience as “validating” for the nursing home residents and reiterated her appreciation for those who attended. Commissioner Moriello suggested that commissioners and residents wear nametags during the event next year. Liaison Batalden observed that the largest number of volunteers visited the nursing home during the month of December. Consequently, he recommended that commissioners consider visiting Lake Cook Terrace at another time of the year, in addition to or in lieu of their December visit. Both suggestions were well-received and Chairperson Slawson-Martens said that the commission would “look at its calendar” to determine if another date for this event was possible. 6. 2013 Calendar of Events A. Quiz Bowl – Thursday, February 28 (rehearsal at regular meeting on February 20) Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked which commissioners would participate in the Quiz Bowl from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM on February 28 and what jobs they wanted to perform. She then reviewed the tasks associated with organizing the bowl. Commissioner Mawrence volunteered to serve as a reader and she will ask Commissioners R. Wagner and Marick if they are interested in reading at the event, as well. Commissioners Luc, Tolmatsky, Serota, R. Steinberg, and Matlin also were discussed as possible readers. Commissioner Schwandner agreed to serve as timer and Commissioner Han volunteered to keep score. Co-Chairperson Martens will distribute the t-shirts and Commissioner Elisco will hand out medals. Commissioner Schifferdecker will read the rules and either Commissioners Weingarten or Kirshenbaum will do the coin toss, depending on their availability. Commissioners Huberty and Ahmed will coordinate the pizza. Commissioner Schwandner agreed to provide back-up computer assistance, if necessary. Commissioners Moriello and Stein will preview the questions and serve as bowl judges. Commissioner Moriello reported that the commission used the same source for bowl questions as in previous years. However, a large number of the questions were not presently in the correct bowl format. Commissioners noted the difficulty, particularly for eighth graders, of correctly answering some of the bowl questions in the past.  Page 3 Minutes of the January 23, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting Liaison Batalden had not heard back yet from Solomon Schechter Day School as to whether or not students from that school will compete in the bowl this year. Chairperson Slawson-Marten thought that there might be a new principal at Solomon Schechter, in which case Liaison Batalden should contact the school again. Chairperson Slawson-Marten encouraged Liaison Batalden to emphasize in his communications with schools that it was not necessary for bowl participants to practice beforehand in order to successfully compete in this free and fun event. To date, St. Norbert and Wood Oaks students will participate in the bowl this year. Liaison Batalden will order the requisite t-shirts once the head count has been confirmed. B. Film Festival – Monday, June 10 Commissioner Luc was going to determine if the Film Festival could be held at the Northbrook Court movie theater this year. Chairperson Slawson-Martens will reserve space at the Northbrook Public Library in case the movie theater or another venue cannot be secured. She shared a local newspaper article about a group of boys who made a basketball film. Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked if any commissioners knew those boys and, if so, to encourage them—and other Northbrook youth involved with film—to participate in the festival. Youth Commission members and Northbrook college students were welcome to participate, as well. Chairperson Slawson-Martens will discuss festival sponsorships with Village Board of Trustees President, Sandy Frum. The Youth and Arts Commissions funded festival prizes in years past. Commissioners discussed the need to simplify the scoring system, which will continue to include audience participation. Chairperson Slawson-Martens emphasized that commissioners should work to: 1) “get the word out” about the festival to youth living in Northbrook, 2) secure financial sponsorships, and 3) find a new venue, if possible. Otherwise, the event will be held at the library. Commissioner Weingarten suggested that the Youth Commission partner with Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook to organize and promote the festival. She will promote the event at Rotary and Liaison Batalden will e-mail a newspaper article from last year about the festival to assist commissioners with their promotional efforts. 7. Youth Forum Update Chairperson Slawson-Martens reported that she had been unable to connect with Margaret Sullivan of Glenbrook North High School (GBN) to arrange the details of hosting a Youth Forum this spring. Chairperson Slawson-Martens explained that the forum was intended to provide parents of future GBN students with information from current students about “a day in the life” of a GBN student. Commissioner Schwandner will confer with her GBN guidance counselor about the forum and Commissioner Schifferdecker will raise the topic with the GBN social worker. Commissioner Weingarten suggested that commissioners start from “the top down” to clarify to GBN administrators that the forum was not meant to replace the GBN orientation for eighth grade parents. Accordingly, Chairperson Slawson-Martens will discuss the proposed forum with GBN Principal, Paul Pryma, in addition to the aforementioned efforts by Commissioners Schwandner and Schifferdecker. 8. Student Hot Topics Commissioner Han reported that second semester started yesterday at GBN. Commissioner Kirshenbaum announced that a basketball and dodge-ball tournament would take place this Friday. The  Page 4 Minutes of the January 23, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting tournament was a Relay for Life fundraiser. “Beating the Odds” Club was collecting new boxes of crayons for donation and the GBN boys bowling team was “going to state” this weekend. Commissioner Mawrence inquired about the Youth Commission sponsoring a scholarship, through GBN, to recognize a high school senior(s) for exemplary community service. Commissioner Weingarten noted that Rotary sponsored a similar scholarship. The concept was well-received, and, therefore, Commissioner Mawrence will forward the requisite GBN form to Liaison Batalden. Chairperson Slawson- Martens will ask Mr. Pryma about the GBN scholarship process. Similarly, Liaison Batalden will determine the Village process for handling such matters. The commission thanked Commissioner Mawrence for pursuing this “great idea.” Liaison Batalden reported that a Northbrook resident wrote to several Village commissions, including the Youth Commission, expressing disappointment that the Village did not offer Martin Luther King (MLK)–related programming on MLK Day. The resident suggested that the Village sponsor service projects and exhibits to honor Dr. King and his legacy. Liaison Batalden will share the resident’s letter with commissioners. Since commissioners discussed earlier in the meeting the possibility of changing the date of the Lake Cook Terrace event, Commissioner Weingarten suggested that they visit the nursing home on MLK Day in addition to or in lieu of their December visit. Liaison Batalden commented that the library traditionally held a relevant book discussion and presentation for Black History Month in February. Chairperson Slawson-Martens commented that the topic warranted further discussion and, therefore, will be added as an agenda item for the next Youth Commission meeting in March. Commissioner Shore recommended, and commissioners agreed, that the commission invite the concerned resident to attend the March meeting to offer further suggestions on how the commission might honor Dr. King and to give commissioners an opportunity to explain their role. Commissioner Han reported that the Global Citizens Club was looking for students to package food in Libertyville this Saturday for hungry children. Transportation will be provided and a signed permission slip was necessary to participate. Commissioner Weingarten requested, and commissioners agreed, that going forward “New Business” or “New Ideas” be added as a regular agenda item for Youth Commission meetings. Commissioner Weingarten also suggested that the Youth Commission enhance its Website by adding commissioner photos and biographical information. Her idea was well-received, and, therefore, she moved, seconded by Commissioner Shore, to enhance the Youth Commission Website by adding information about who the commissioners were and what they did. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. Accordingly, Liaison Batalden will request the following information from commissioners: their name, year in school (for student commissioners), number of years served on the Youth Commission, favorite activities, and proudest accomplishment. Commissioners should strive for brevity in their responses. Liaison Batalden will collate the information received and arrange for posting on the Youth Commission site.  Page 5 Minutes of the January 23, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting Commissioner Han agreed to serve as the student Co-Chairperson at the next Youth Commission meeting on March 20, 2013. 9. Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner Moriello moved, seconded by Commissioner Schwandner, to adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. Co-Chairperson Martens adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Stacy J. Seiden Recorder