San Marcos Youth Commission

Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 20, 2017 6:00pm San Marcos Activity Center 501 E. Hopkins I. Call to Order With a quorum present, the regular meeting of the San Marcos Youth Commission was called to order by Benjamin Murdoch at 6:00pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2017, in the multi- purpose room of the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, Texas 78666. II. Roll Call Present: 7- Aaron MacEmerich, Fatima Cardenas, Nicholas Laughlin, Benjamin Murdoch, Fallon Sheffield, Dakota Fernandez, Aubrey Ashton Absent: 4- Tellef Ault, Calvin Medrano, Becca Baergen, Gabe Ortiz Others Present: 3- Deborah Carter, Jemm Corona-Morris, Michelle Hamilton Staff Present: 2- Jessica Ramos, Catherine Marler III. Citizen Comment Period (each individual will be limited to 3 minutes; no specific action may be taken on these items) None. IV. Approval of the minutes-August 16, 2017 A motion was made by Fallon Sheffield, seconded by Dakota Fernandez, to approve the minutes from the August 16, 2017 meeting. The motion was carried by the following vote: For: 7- Aaron MacEmerich, Fatima Cardenas, Nicholas Laughlin, Benjamin Murdoch, Fallon Sheffield, Dakota Fernandez, Aubrey Ashton Against: 0 V. Discussion and/or Recommendation-Discussion on Gaps in Recreational Programming Via a google doc, the commission looks at the back end of a survey (the submissions received) the SMCCY created, calling for businesses and organizations in San Marcos to input what programs/services they offer for youth. Michelle Hamilton informs the commission that the reason this is being considered is because part of the Youth Master Plan calls for the SMCCY to develop ways they can support the development of families and youth. One of the ways the SMCCY wanted to get started on doing this was by creating this survey to see where there are gaps in programs and services for youth. 1  Jessica Ramos says that as of now, 74 responses have come in for this survey. She points out the various questions that were asked and the answers that were received and who they were received from. The goal of this survey is for it to be a working document that people can access online to find programs and services for their children. Jessica Ramos says that currently, this survey is a work in progress. The focus for the SMYC in regards to the data collected in this survey could be to take a look at the gaps in programs/services for their particular age group and brainstorm ways they can help fill those gaps. They can even use some of the funds allocated to their commission to get programs started. Some of the responses of the survey were for education based programs/services, some were for recreational. Nicholas Laughlin asks if the commission can get a list of programs for ages 13+. Jessica Ramos says she will email that list. VI. Discussion and/or Recommendation-Suggestions/Ideas and discussion on recreational activities for youth, ages 13 and older Benjamin Murdoch asks board to brainstorm ideas on what programs/services they’d like to see in the 13+ age group. Michelle Hamilton suggests that board consider something that can further career interests. Benjamin Murdoch thinks it would be a good idea to poll students to get an idea of what they’d like to see in regards to programs/services for their age. Board brainstorms ways (remind app, google survey, booth at lunch) for this poll to get out. They can even entice with a drawing for a gift card. VII. Discussion and/or Recommendation-Discussion on Library programs and their viewpoint on opportunities for youth (5-10 minutes) Deborah Carter introduces herself and informs the commission of what programs there are for teens at the San Marcos Public Library  SMPL offers summer programs, as well as school year programs, such as: anime club, manga club, creative club (filmmaking, songwriting, creative arts)  Attendance with teens drops significantly during the school year, especially with older teens (16+).  SMPL is always looking for ideas for programs for teens, whether it be academic, career, or just for fun.  Last school year there were two ongoing teen programs (teen advisory board, anime/manga).  The Teen Advisory Board at the SMPL dictates what they want to see in regards to programs/services during the upcoming school year.  At last meeting Teen Advisory Board meeting some things they found teens were interested in were: writers workshops, trivia clubs, movie deconstruction, movie club, documentary film club, improv club, projector games, research relays, D & D, Doctor Who night, books versus movies studies, classic literature club, world culture club, teen poet society, and a 2  board game club.  SMPL teen programs are aimed at 12-17 year olds, with more “Tweens” wanting to come than older teens. Dakota Fernandez suggests a STEM program for younger teens. Deborah Carter wonders if a study club would be useful, with tutors on site. Commission agrees it could be. Michelle Hamilton suggests an SAT prep program. Older teens might want to build their transcripts and college apps, learn how to create resumes, learn how to prepare for a job, learn financial literacy. Anything that can help in these regards would be useful for them. Deborah Carter says currently, the SMPL doesn’t have enough space to support a lot of programs. (With the library expansion coming in the future, that won’t be a problem.) Board discusses ways to get info out for programs/services: apps kids are using most (Snapchat, Instagram), perhaps putting flyers downtown, a community bulletin board, an assembly at school, some sort of information center, creating a social media account (and getting the word out) for community events, banners across town, contacting high school counselors. VIII. Discussion and or Recommendation-Establishment of Subcommittees Subcommittees have to be related to the Youth Commission. Some suggestions for subcommittees include:  Mental health  Physical health  College admissions  Out of school youth programs  Outreach and communications A motion was made by Fallon Sheffield, seconded by Fatima Cardenas, to establish subcommittees within the San Marcos Youth Commission to include: mental health, physical health, college admissions, out of school youth programs, and outreach and communications. The motion was carried by the following vote: For: 7- Aaron MacEmerich, Fatima Cardenas, Nicholas Laughlin, Benjamin Murdoch, Fallon Sheffield, Dakota Fernandez, Aubrey Ashton Against: 0 IX. Business for next meeting  Forming subcommittees  Interactions between SMCISD schools and other area schools 3  X. Questions and Answers with Press and Public None. XI. Adjournment 7:06pm by Benjamin Murdoch _________________________________________________________________________________- San Marcos Commission on Children and Youth Advisory Board Chairman PARD Staff Notice of Assistance at the Public Meetings The City of San Marcos does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to its services, programs, or activities. Individuals who require auxiliary aids and services for this meeting should contact the City of San Marcos ADA Coordinator at 512-393-8000 (voice) or call Texas Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 7-1-1. Requests can also be faxed to 512-393-8074 or sent by e-mail to ADArequest@sanmarcostx.gov 4