Youth Commission

1 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF A REGULARLY SCHEDULED 2 YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING 3 VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK 4 COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 5 October 16, 2013 6 “Lead, Serve, Shine” 7 8 Adult Commissioners Present (5) 9 Carla Slawson-Martens, Chairperson 10 Gary Moriello 11 Michael Shore 12 Lauren Schifferdecker 13 David Whitlock 14 15 Student Commissioners Present (6) 16 Allison Kaplan, Chairperson 17 Grace Elisco 18 Andy Han 19 Ross Steinberg 20 Adam Wagner 21 Shaina Hakimian 22 23 Adult/Student Commissioners Absent (8) 24 Kay Ellen Stein 25 Ethan Kirschenbaum 26 Danny Martens 27 Ethan Matlin 28 Maddie Serota 29 Kent Steinberg 30 Zainab Ahmed 31 Emily Schwandner 32 33 Village Staff Present 34 Jason Batalden, Youth Commission Staff Liaison 35 Gale Cerabona, Recorder 36 37 1. Call to Order 38 Chairperson Slawson-Martens enlisted a Chairperson from student commissioners. Commissioner 39 Kaplan volunteered and called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 Cedar 40 Lane, at 7:05 p.m. A quorum was present. 41 42 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes 43 Commissioner R. Steinberg moved, seconded by Commissioner Whitlock, to approve minutes of the 44 August 21, 2013, Youth Commission meeting without corrections. On a voice vote, the motion 45 unanimously carried. 46 47 3. Hear from the Audience 48 There was no audience.  Page 2 Minutes of the October 16, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting 1 2 4. Police/Appreciation BBQ Debrief 3 4 Student Chairperson Kaplan asked everyone about their feedback: 5 6 Commissioner Whitlock thought it was great, and stated he enjoyed meeting Police & Fire staff. 7 8 Commissioner Moriello reminded that the event was actually on 9/11 this year, and stated 9 guests ate a lot inside and outdoors. 10 11 Commissioner Elisco stated it was the best year; she talked with Police & Fire staff; liked set-up. 12 13 Chairperson Slawson-Martens mentioned a tour of the cells was offered this year. The detective 14 who gave the tour was phenomenal (viewed the shooting range, spoke about detective-sharing, 15 etc.); a lot of fascinating insights. The Chief & his wife are very supportive of this event. Fewer 16 Police & Fire staff attended this year. 17 18 Liaison Batalden noted that Police & Fire staff thought the event went well, and they enjoyed 19 the students’ notes. 20 21 The article (in the Northbrook Tower) was distributed as well as photos. 22 23 5. 2013/14 Calendar of Events 24 A. Operation Santa Claus 25 26 Commissioner Moriello advised this takes place in October & November with distribution of 27 gifts in December. 10% of all operation sales from The Book Bin will go to Goethe Elementary 28 School. Commissioner Moriello advised he made a presentation to the Rotary Club, and 29 added that 5 members are participants of this event. He provided background stating that 30 almost 5 years ago, this event almost ended (as the selected school closed). Another school, 31 Goethe, was then chosen. Grades 2-8 (600 students) are targeted this year. The Elks’ Club 32 provides any remaining gifts. For any non-selected students, books are still provided. 33 34 A sign-in sheet/wish list is available. December 2nd is the date that books are due to 35 Commissioner Moriello. Commissioners are asked to ascertain the student’s book choice and 36 make the purchase at The Book Bin or Barnes & Noble. Commissioner Moriello will also 37 accept shipped books. 38 39 Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked that everyone provide a list of their students, purchase a 40 $20-25 book per child, wrap it, and then submit same to Commissioner Moriello. The name of 41 the child should be indicated on the gift “from Santa”. 42 43 Commissioner Wagner offered to promote this event to Key Club members at the next 44 meeting on October 22nd at 7:15 p.m. Commissioner Moriello agreed to present as well. 45 46 Commissioner Elisco asked if Commissioner Moriello could also speak to the Student Youth 47 Club. Commissioner Moriello stated he would.  Page 3 Minutes of the October 16, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting 1 2 Commissioner Moriello distributed the list and asked for all students’ email addresses. 3 4 B. Holiday Event – Lake Cook Terrace 5 6 Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked that anyone who has attended this event in the past 7 please describe it to the group. Commissioner Moriello advised that a nursing home is visited 8 and students sing holiday carols. Chairperson Slawson-Martens added that elementary arts & 9 craft activities are performed (felt wreath cut-outs, etc.). Snacks are provided and possibly an 10 orchestra for entertainment. 11 12 Commissioner Hakimian stated she has had experience with this, and noted it is more about 13 spending time with the residents. 14 15 Commissioner Han stated he will attempt to arrange for musicians to perform. 16 17 Chairperson Slawson-Martens originally suggested the date of December 18 or possibly 18 December 17 or 19, from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., and then reminded that perhaps Wednesday, 19 December 18 should be avoided as some cannot attend that night. Thursday, December 19th 20 is the final date recommended at Lake Cook Terrace. 21 22 Commissioner Moriello asked if a motion should be given stating that this event replace 23 December’s Youth Commission meeting. Chairperson Slawson-Martens concurred and 24 entertained a motion. 25 26 Commissioner R. Steinberg moved, seconded by Commissioner Moriello, to replace the 27 December Youth Commission Meeting with the December 19th Holiday Event. On a voice 28 vote, the motion unanimously carried. 29 30 Chairperson Slawson-Marten asked if any other activities should be offered (i.e. bingo, etc.). 31 A discussion ensued regarding possible activities. 32 33 Commissioner Whitlock asked if family & friends may be invited. Chairperson Slawson- 34 Martens stated – yes, and reminded the age should be junior high level. 35 36 Commissioner Wagner confirmed the speaking engagement to the Key Club with 37 Commissioner Moriello for October 22nd at 7:15 p.m. 38 39 Chairperson Slawson-Martens summarized that everyone believes bingo is a good idea. 40 Commissioner Moriello recommended all activities be confirmed at the next meeting. 41 42 Commissioner Hakimian suggested a “fortune teller’s game” (wishes). 43 44 Commissioner Whitlock asked where the location is. Chairperson Slawson-Martens replied – 45 at Skokie Boulevard, south of Lake Cook Road (behind The Container Store) facing highway. 46 C. Quiz Bowl 47  Page 4 Minutes of the October 16, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Commissioner Slawson-Martens noted this is where 8th graders compete. The event has 2 typically been on the third or fourth Thursday in February from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Letters 3 must be submitted to school principals soon so that students are enlisted to participate. 4 February 20 or 27 is slated. 5 6 Commission Han asked what schools are invited, and a discussion took place. Chairperson 7 Slawson-Martens replied that some schools don’t participate for various reasons. It was 8 noted that senior students read the questions. Chairperson Slawson-Martens advised if 9 anyone wishes to request a particular job, to please do so. 10 11 Liaison Batalden suggested the scores be displayed on the large screens and monitors during 12 the game. Chairperson Slawson-Martens noted a score-keeping app is needed. 13 14 D. Film Fest 15 16 Commissioner Whitlock reported that he and Commissioner Steinberg discussed the 17 elements and challenges: 18  Open this up to a broader audience – perhaps a North Suburban Film Fest to include 19 Deerfield & Highland Park (to promote more movies and attendees); this would drive 20 publicity 21  Date/Location – perhaps at a theater at Glenbrook North (rather than the library). 22 Chairperson Slawson-Martens reminded the library will be under construction. 23  Commissioner Whitlock reached out to an alumni student, who is a Film & Media 24 Professor at DePaul, for participation as a jury member, a lecturer providing 25 education, etc. 26  Seek other high school programs so those teachers can promote this event 27 28 Commissioner R. Steinberg advised that Glenbrook North students might submit movies 29 (internal promotion). 30 31 Commissioner Shore advised that Wilmette or Winnetka High School was considered in the 32 past. A suggestion was given to contact such staff to learn about their (similar) film fests. 33 34 Commissioner Whitlock advised that inviting other schools to submit movies is key (via 35 broadcasting departments, local theaters). 36 37 Commissioner Wagner recommended a venue outside of Northbrook, as advertising may go 38 further (to Wilmette or Highland Park Public Library). 39 40 Commissioner Whitlock suggested a larger committee to manage these good 41 recommendations. 42 43 Chairperson Slawson-Martens advised that external collaboration is good, but reminded that 44 Northbrook’s Youth Commission must be recognized as a sponsor. The vehicle to 45 communicate this 5th Annual Film Fest is key to broaden and include other communities. 46 47 Commissioner Hakimian stated that teachers at Glenbrook North have connections.  Page 5 Minutes of the October 16, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Chairperson Slawson-Martens advised some Glenbrook North teachers have been contacted 2 in past years. 3 4 It was stated that “broadcast” vs. “films” are not the same. Commissioner Han reminded – 5 scholarships are key. Commissioner Wagner stated acclaimed filmmakers would be a draw. 6 7 Chairperson Slawson-Martens thanked Commissioner Whitlock for conducting research on 8 this project. 9 10 Commissioner Wagner asked what other Youth Commissions are out there. Chairperson 11 Slawson-Martens advised that Wilmette has a different purpose (i.e. funding body, etc.). 12 13 6. New Business 14 A. Northbrook Cares 15 16 Commissioner Whitlock advised he attended the meeting and explained that the organization 17 offers resources to community members. A web site for adults and youth is needed. 18 Resources are available but there is no information vehicle. A web site shell was shared. 19 Various topics are listed, and they will link to other web sites. Student feedback was obtained 20 and put to use on the web site. Volunteers came forward. A logo per resource was suggested. 21 It was noted that Glenview has a similar site – Glenviewcares.org. For Northbrook Cares, one 22 is directed to a targeted resource. 23 24 Commissioner Kaplan asked if there is an anonymous link. Commissioner Whitlock believes 25 there is no collection of data. He stated the site is intended to be as simple as possible to use. 26 It is also not a conduit for funding. 27 28 Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked Commissioner Han to describe what a Facebook 29 Confessions page is. Commissioner Han stated it’s an anonymous vehicle in which to vent; 30 very random. Commissioner Wagner noted some statements are not taken seriously. 31 Commissioner Kaplan advised there is also a Facebook Compliments page which is screened. 32 Commissioner Han advised it was not originally professionally done. 33 34 Chairperson Slawson-Martens summarized that Northbrook Cares is a vehicle to promote 35 information to the community. 36 37 Commissioner Whitlock advised that the Youth Commission is not involved in creating logos. 38 39 Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked when the live target date is. Commissioner Whitlock 40 advised it is unknown and will be done right before it’s launched. 41 42 Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked if Glenbrook North students participate in Northbrook 43 Cares. Commissioner Whitlock replied – no. 44 45 46 7. Old Business 47 A. Family Dinner  Page 6 Minutes of the October 16, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting 1 2 Liaison Batalden & Chairperson Slawson-Martens advised that the Family Dinner is on 3 November 6th from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. for commissioners and guests. 4 5 B. Background Checks 6 7 Liaison Batalden advised background checks will be given to adult commissioners. A form was 8 distributed to adult commissioners by Liaison Batalden who asked that it be completed and 9 returned to him. 10 11 8. Student Hot Topics 12 Commissioner Kaplan advised that the last Glenbrook North home football game is Friday. 13 Everyone is wearing pink. Next week is the last away game. 14 15 Commissioner Whitlock noted the Fall Play opens tomorrow and runs through Saturday. 16 17 Commissioner Wagner advised that the main gym is renovated. 18 19 Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked about Caribou Coffee. Commissioner Shore advised all 20 stores will now be called Pete’s. 21 22 Commissioners Elisco and Hakimian departed at 8:37 p.m. 23 24 The government shutdown and its impact were briefly discussed. 25 26 Chairperson Slawson-Martens recruited a Student Chairperson for the next meeting. Commissioner Han 27 volunteered. 28 29 9. Adjournment 30 There being no further business, Commissioner Moriello moved, seconded by Commissioner R. 31 Steinberg, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 32 33 Respectfully submitted, 34 35 36 Gale Cerabona 37 Recorder