CBC YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE PARTNERS
Youth Representatives to Boards & Commissions & Civic Groups
FACT SHEET
Need:
CBC seeks to continue to support Falls Church City Council and Boards and Commissions by engaging more of the City's citizens, and promoting civic leadership development:
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Engaging busy adults to fill seats on Boards & Commissions, as well as civic groups, is a challenge.
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Parents naturally become engaged when their children are involved.
Many of City Boards and Commissions and civic groups have vacancies, and at the same time, finding meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth and engaging citizens is an on-going challenge.
Invitation:
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Many of the Board and Commission, as well as civic group, have consented to host youth representatives.
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Youth Representative seats will be non-voting and youth will not participate in closed sessions.
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This can give youth a meaningful voice in our community and help engage parents in civic issues.
Participating City Boards & Commissions for Program Year 2025-2026
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Architectural Advisory Board
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Arts & Humanities Council
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Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation
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Economic Development Authority
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Electoral Board
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Environmental Services Council
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Historical Commission
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Housing Commission
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Human Services Advisory Council
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Library Board
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Recreation & Parks
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Urban Forestry Commission
Participating Civic Organizations for Program Year 2025-2026
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Bike Falls Church
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Creative Cauldron
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FC Chamber of Commerce
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Falls Church Democratic Party
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Falls Church Education Foundation
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Friends of Cherry Hill Farmhouse
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League of Women Voters
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MHS PTSA
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Tinner Hill Social Justice Committee
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VPIS
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Welcoming Falls Church
Successful Pilot Results & City Support:
Falls Church City Council unanimously voted in May 2014 to support moving forward with this initiative. 17 Youth Reps were appointed by City Council in the Fall of 2014, and this initial pilot has proven to be a largely successful and has continued to grow.
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This initiative ties in directly with MHS’s IB diploma requirements for a Creativity, Action, Service project (CAS) as well as the goal of creating a new diploma program that includes service learning and civic engagement for a broader range of students.
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In addition, CBC seeks to foster opportunities for individual students to lead and execute special projects that support the City’s Boards and Commissions, as well as civic groups.
Goals:
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Create opportunities for youth to learn about local government and civics in a hands-on way;
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Give students opportunities to volunteer in meaningful ways;
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Enhance students' college applications;
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Better engage parents & peers in community issues; and
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Demonstrate our City's commitment to youth by giving them a voice in decisions.
Promotion:
CBC works with MHS staff and students, including civics teachers, guidance counselors, student government, and students in civics courses, as well as the community at large to promote this opportunity.
Eligibility:
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All current high school students living in Falls Church City are eligible to apply, including homeschooled and private school students.
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Sophomores are especially encouraged to apply so students can volunteer during their junior year.
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Students who may not have had leadership opportunities are encouraged to apply, and the selection process focuses on interest, commitment and potential rather than past achievements.
Application:
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Students apply with a simple application focused on what the student hopes to contribute and to get out of the experience of serving as a Youth Representative, as well as how they will share what they learn with others.
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Applicants are asked to attend a meeting of the Boards & Commissions, or civic group, for which they wish to be considered prior to being selected.
Selection:
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The Youth Representatives Initiative Committee (YRI) will review applications, interview candidates, and make recommendations to the City Council Appointments Committee & to Civic Groups.
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Applicants are recommended to achieve broad representation from City youth, and are selected based on their interest, commitment, and potential as a Youth Representative.
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The YRI will make these recommendations to the City Council at a May council meeting.
CBC will also work with City Council and City staff to:
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Provide protocols & guidelines for Boards & Commissions, as well as civic groups.
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Conduct a workshop for Youth Representatives in spring of 2024 to provide training and support.
CBC Youth Reps Committee: Nancy Brandon; Lindy Hockenberry; Julie Krachman
For more information, please contact:
Julie Krachman Lindy Hockenberry Nancy Brandon
Cell: 202-321-5824 Cell: 703-380-4530 Cell: 703-509-4632
Email: Juleskrac@aol.com Email: lindyfallsch@aol.com
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