Youth Commission

1 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF A REGULARLY SCHEDULED 2 YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING 3 VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK 4 COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 5 September 16, 2015 6 “Lead, Serve, Shine” 7 8 Adult Commissioners Present (6) 9 Carla Slawson-Martens, Chairperson 10 Gary Moriello 11 David Whitlock 12 Kay Ellen Stein 13 Kelli Christenson 14 Jodie Dinelli 15 16 Student Commissioners Present (5) 17 Danny Martens 18 Ethan Kirschenbaum 19 Grace Elisco 20 Brandon Mankoff 21 Danny Brodson 22 23 Adult/Student Commissioners Absent (5) 24 Lucia Bosacoma 25 Bianca Osinski 26 Jessica Bresler 27 Zainab Ahmed 28 Shaina Hakimian 29 30 Audience Members Present (2) 31 Kieley Anderson 32 Cecilia Calise 33 34 Village Staff Present (4) 35 Sandy Frum, President 36 Bob Israel, Trustee 37 Jason Batalden, Staff Liaison 38 Gale Cerabona, Recorder 39 40 1. Call to Order 41 Chairperson Slawson-Martens appointed Commissioner Kirschenbaum as Student Chair for this meeting. 42 Student Chair Kirschenbaum called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 Cedar 43 Lane, at 7:02 p.m. A quorum was present. 44 45 Student Chair Kirschenbaum reminded everyone about the Annual Police and Fire Department 46 Appreciation Barbeque on Thursday, September 17th from 4:30 p.m.-7pm at the Police Department. 47 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes  Page 2 Minutes of the September 16, 2015 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Commissioner D. Martens moved, seconded by Commissioner Whitlock, to approve the YC meeting 2 minutes of August 19, 2015. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 3 4 3. Welcome 5 Everyone introduced themselves in a roundtable setting. 6 7 4. Hear from the Audience 8 There was no Hear from the Audience. 9 10 Commissioner Stein and guests, Kieley Anderson and Cecilia Calise, arrived at 7:05 p.m. 11 12 5. Discussion of Youth Commission Mission with President Frum 13 Chairperson Slawson-Martens shared that the YC will be discussing the following issues this evening: 14  Who we are 15  Problem with the current YC model 16  Who we want to serve 17  What is our new model 18 19 President Frum stated that all Commissions were reviewed approximately 6 years ago and 2 20 Commissions were eliminated. She referenced, distributed, and read the current code (responsibilities 21 of YC, etc.) which was adopted in 1976. 22 23 President Frum advised she would like to hear thoughts from Commissioners as to the YC’s relevancy. 24 She noted there are other potential models to consider. President Frum reported that the State of 25 Illinois has mandated a civics course for students. President Frum stated this current mission is obsolete, 26 and she encourages the YC to review it. 27 28 Chairperson Slawson-Martens shared that the YC’s mission was reviewed 5 years ago, and the motto 29 “Lead, Serve, Shine” emerged. Events of the YC were highlighted. Commissioner Moriello stated 30 activities have come and gone (pasta events, car washes, etc. were identified). Chairperson Slawson- 31 Martens advised that currently the YC is serving students from Quiz Bowl and other YC-initiated events. 32 33 Commissioner D. Martens stated he doesn’t believe the YC is serving the community at large and noted 34 that events/promotions are more specific. He advised students don’t have a lot of extra time to devote. 35 Commissioner D. Martens shared that Northbrook sets itself apart by conducting youth-specific events. 36 37 Commissioner Brodson suggested exploring what people/youth would like to see; increase awareness of 38 Quiz Bowl, etc. He recommended students have an internship on each Commission in the Village. 39 40 Chairperson Slawson-Martens reminded the YC doesn’t want to replicate youth opportunities that are 41 already available in the community. Commissioner Whitlock advised there are a multitude of ways 42 Northbrook’s youth can give back (via schools, churches, etc.) and doesn’t believe the YC should add 43 services. 44 45 Chairperson Slawson-Martens suggested that the YC could find the niche/need, manage it, and 46 potentially hand it off (similar to what the Arts Commission has undertaken).  Page 3 Minutes of the September 16, 2015 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Chairperson Slawson-Martens asked if the YC’s mission matches the Village’s mission. President Frum 2 noted the Village’s biggest mission is public safety (which includes the Police, Fire, and Public Works 3 Departments). 4 5 Chairperson Slawson-Martens mentioned that some YC students expressed interest in learning about 6 the leadership roles in running a town/Village. President Frum stated she believes this will be touched 7 on at the upcoming civic course. 8 9 Discussion took place on various models (and who they serve). Other (Community Relations) 10 Commissions were referenced. It was noted some Commissions are event-driven. 11 12 President Frum stated she would like to see the YC address who it serves. Chairperson Slawson-Martens 13 referenced the Film Festival as it serves a need that the high school doesn’t fill. President Frum 14 reminded everyone on what the YC’s purpose is. President Frum advised that, historically, Commissions 15 were developed to advise Village leadership. 16 17 Commissioner Elisco stated she’s always been involved in student government. She joined the YC to 18 impact the community (rather than just impact her school). Commissioner Elisco advised she would like 19 to target things that youth aren’t getting at school (perhaps education at Commission meetings). 20 21 Commissioner Brodson shared that he likes the learning experience; would like to help and impact youth 22 as well as still be involved with YC events. 23 24 Commissioner Whitlock stated the YC needs to identify the problem and solve it. He asked how to get all 25 of the youth’s (in Northbrook) voices heard. Trustee Israel suggested identifying the goals (perhaps 26 institutionalize the Film Festival) and solve them. 27 28 Commissioner Christenson asked about the process. President Frum stated if a Commission disbands, 29 the municipal code is revised. 30 31 Trustee Israel stated the YC could be an extension of Student Government Day. Commissioner Moriello 32 shared that the YC has had discussions on expanding (and hosting guest speakers at YC meetings, etc.). 33 34 Commissioner D. Martens shared that he doesn’t believe the YC should be participatory; not a learning 35 experience. 36 37 Student Chair Kirschenbaum suggested offering a more meaningful event (rather than Quiz Bowl, etc.). 38 39 Commissioner Whitlock suggested obtaining help for the community (Northbrook Cares was 40 referenced). 41 42 President Frum suggested exploring the purpose of a Youth Forum. 43 44 Chairperson Slawson-Martens suggested that perhaps the YC takes on 1 major event (that takes a year 45 to plan) and concentrate on serving as many youth as possible (for greater impact). 46  Page 4 Minutes of the September 16, 2015 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Commissioner D. Martens reminded/asked if we are serving YC students or students in Northbrook at 2 large. Trustee Israel responded it could be combination of both. 3 4 President Frum advised there are 6 Board Committees, and Commissions come under those 5 Committees. 6 7 Chairperson Slawson-Martens summarized the points the YC must decide: 8  Mission statement 9  Who we serve 10  A new model 11 12 President Frum stated there are a multitude of ways to approach this. 13 14 Commissioner Brodson recommended a new motto “Explore, Learn, Act”. 15 16 Chairperson Slawson-Martens thanked President Frum and Trustee Israel for joining the YC to discuss a 17 (potential) new vision/model for the YC. 18 19 6. Old Business 20 There was no Old Business 21 22 7. New Business 23 There was no New Business. 24 25 8. Next Meeting 26 The next meeting will be October 21, 2015. 27 28 9. Adjournment 29 Commissioner Moriello moved, seconded by Commissioner Stein, to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m. 30 On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 31 32 Respectfully submitted, 33 34 35 36 Gale Cerabona 37 Recorder