Youth Commission Application now open

Newton County is accepting applications for its second Youth Commission now.

Newton County students in grades 9-12 can apply for this unique opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills while serving their community. High School students from throughout the County come together and learn about local, state and federal government, as well as other operations throughout the county.

The 2024-25 class will begin this fall. To apply for the 2024-25 Class, fill out the application here: https://iparametricsbpa.workflowcloud.com/forms/715fc675-063c-4032-97ec-2de2facce674.

What is a Youth Commission?

A youth commission is a group of young people who are appointed to represent the interests and needs of their peers in their community. The commission is typically made up of high school students who are passionate about making a positive difference in their community. The youth commission acts as an advisory body, making recommendations and providing input on issues that affect young people in the community.

Duties of the Newton County Youth Commission

As a member of the Newton County Youth Commission, students will have the opportunity to work on projects that directly impact their community. Some of the duties of the commission may include:

Identifying and prioritizing issues that affect young people in the community

Developing and implementing programs and initiatives that address those issues

Advising local government and community organizations on issues related to young people

Planning and organizing events and activities that promote positive youth development

Representing the commission at community events and meetings

Eligibility

To be eligible for service on the commission, students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and submit a 500-word essay on why they want to serve on the Newton County Youth Commission. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and successful applicants will be appointed by district. A total of 24 youth will be appointed to the commission.

Service

As a member of the Newton County Youth Commission, students will have the opportunity to work on projects that directly impact their community. They will also gain valuable leadership and communication skills that will be useful throughout their lives. Service on the commission will include an annual stipend of $1,800.00.

Description of Positions

Youth Chair (County Wide)

The Chair, as the presiding officer, is responsible for the orderly conduct of the meetings. In order to fulfill this duty, the Chair shall enforce the rules of procedure that are adopted by the Board of Commissioners. As a facilitator and guide to the Board, the Chair, in conjunction with the Board, should work to establish and implement the vision, mission, and values of the community. The Chair may not introduce motions or second motions, except that the Chair may introduce or second a motion to go into executive session. The Chair shall not vote except to break a tie. The Chair' s primary responsibility is to insure efficient and productive meetings of the Board with his/her duties to include:

Presiding over meetings of the Commission;

Calling the meetings to order at the scheduled hour;

Determining that a quorum is present;

Preserving decorum and order at all meetings;

Calling for the vote;

Announcing the results of each vote; and

Calling for a recess at such times as deemed advisable.

The Chair shall be impartial and conduct the meetings in a fair manner.

The Chair shall have the power to veto ordinances, resolutions, and other matters as provided in this chapter.

Youth Commissioners

Youth Commissioners, selected at large, are responsible for overseeing the county's management and administration, representing county interests at the state and federal level, participating in long-range planning, and managing the county budget and finances. Similar, to other legislative bodies, the members of the County Board of Commissioners are elected by specific geographic districts in their home county. Each commissioner is responsible for representing the interests of your community during regular meetings of the county board and at state and federal events. Commissioners meet regularly in policy-specific sub-committees to thoroughly examine county issues. The number and topics of sub-committees are unique to each county, but most counties include committees related to the topics of parks, public health, public safety, etc. Much of a commissioner's time is spent serving on advisory boards or commissions that provide direct and indirect county services.

The inaugural class in 2023-24, produced three capstone projects directed at helping Newton County Youth.

The Youth Commission Class of 2023-24 participated in monthly learning sessions that were broken up into local government and state/federal government cohorts.

The last cohort involved the commission working on their capstone presentations which were: "A New Recreation Center for Newton County," "Mental Health Matters" and "The by Teens for Teens Initiative".

There will be three Youth Commissioners per Commissioner District, selected at large, and and the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners appointed for the Newton County Youth Commission. Total of 18 Commissioners.

Students can only apply to one position, either a district commissioner for their grade level, or the County Wide Chair position for their grade level. Any duplicate applications will not be reviewed.

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