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Cabarrus County Youth Commission (Proposed Bylaws Additions & Removals) Background At the root of the Youth Commission is North Carolina 4-H. This organization (North Carolina 4-H) holds a 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 designed to tackle youth apathy and highlight youth participating in civic affairs. The event culminates the 4-H'ers visiting legislators at the state capital building. A major (Another) component of the program is that 4-H'ers develop an Action Plan. This (The) plan is to be something that engages the 4-H'er(s) in service that will improve the community, school systems, county, and/or state of each participant. In 2011 (This past summer), two youth from Cabarrus County attended the event and developed a plan to implement a Youth Commission in the county. The (plan goal) formulated objective of the Commission is "To live in a community that values the opinion 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 North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) has also validated the opinions of young people by determining the top issues facing teens in North Carolina.) The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) has begun working with teens to address top issues facing teens in communities across the state. In 2011, then -Congressman Larry Kissel (recently) established a Congressional Youth Commission to formally initiate the process of teen governmental engagement. The City of Concord has a Youth Council that reports to the City Council. Purpose The purpose of the Youth (Council) Commission is to provide teens (in the community) an opportunity to be active citizens through experiences and education which will ultimately empower youth (will be empowered) in the community. The Youth (Council) Commission will introduce (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° — 11`" graders. Candidates must complete the application process to be considered for a two-year term on the Youth Commission. (Members will serve a two-year term). Preference will be given to underclassmen, though High School Seniors may apply & fill vacancies as needed. 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. Aftchmenl number 1 \n F-2 Page 41