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Cabarrus County Youth Council Background North Carolina 4 -H holds North Carolina 4 -H Citizenship Focus in June each year. 4 -H'ers (ages 14 — 19) attend the three day event in Raleigh, participating in citizenship and government workshops. The event culminates with 4 -11'ers visiting legislators at the state capital building. Another component of the program is that 4 -H'ers develop an Action Plan. The plan is to be something that engages the 4- H'er(s) in service that will improve the community, school, county and /or state. This past summer, two youth from Cabarrus County attended the event and developed a plan to implement a Youth Council in the county. The plan goal is "To live in a community that values the opinions of teens and empowers youth to be active citizens." Through Cabarrus 4 -H Citizenship Focus, the county Commissioners and employees have validated the need for educating young people on how county government operates. Commissioner White has been interested in this concept for more than a year and has been discussing possible implementation strategies. The NCACC (North Carolina Association of County Commissioners) has also validated the opinions of young people by determining the top issues facing teens in North Carolina. Congressman Larry Kissell recently established a Congressional Youth Council. The City of Concord Youth Council reports to the City Council. Purpose The purpose of the Youth Council is to provide teens in the community an opportunity to be active citizens. Through experiences and education, youth will be empowered in the community. The Youth Council will expose teens to county government, allow teens an opportunity to discuss issues, and interact with county commissioners and employees through youth -adult partnerships. Membership Members must be residents of Cabarrus County and rising 9 th —11 graders. Candidates must complete the application process. Members will serve a two -year term. The initial board will consist of nine youth serving a one year term and nine youth serving a two year term. Length of terms will be determined by member preference and /or interviews. All terms thereafter will be for two years. The Youth Council will be comprised of two youth from the following high schools: A.L. Brown High School, Central Cabarrus High School, Concord High School, Cox Mill High School, Hickory Ridge High School, Jay M. Robinson High School, Mount Pleasant High School, Northwest High School. There will be two additional students Council serving as at -large members from the following schools: Performance Learning Center, Early College, Opportunity High School, a private school or homeschool. There will be a total of 18 youth serving on the Youth Council. Members shall serve without compensation. Redistricting 1 Attachment number 1 F -9 Page 183