Durham Youth Commission

Office on Youth home

Applicants Sought for Durham Youth Commission
Members Provide Perspective to City Council Regarding Decisions Affecting Durham’s Youth; Deadline to Apply is May 6

Durham Youth Commission Application - Word .pdf
Durham Youth Commission Mission

Durham Youth Commission By-laws

Durham has long viewed it's youth as valuable Image of Durham Youth Commission for 2011-2012

resources. In
an effort to actively involve youth in policy issues affecting
them, broaden the scope of youth leadership in Durham affairs,
promote experiential learning on the functions of government,
develop healthy citizenry habits for the future of the
community and promote public awareness of the strengths
and abilities of youth, the Durham Youth Council was created.
In 2003, Durham native DeWarren K. Langley presented the
idea and concept of the Durham Youth Commission to the
Durham City Council. Mayor Pro Tempore Cora Cole-McFadden
is credited with instituting this initiative.

The City of Durham Youth Commission is a City-funded
commission composed of high school aged youth. The youth
commission is an opportunity for youth to have a formal role in
the City’s planning and decision making process. The
commission is open to youth who attend school (Durham
Public Schools, private schools, and home schools) in the City
of Durham. All applicants will be considered regardless of race,
gender, national origin or disability. The commission is governed
by Evelyn Scott, senior community relations coordinator, and Quincey Myers, program assistant, of the City of Durham Office on Youth, (919) 354-2730.

Mission Statement
The Durham Youth Commission exists to provide comprehensive civic education, leadership development and service learning opportunities for Durham youth through appointment on City boards, commissions and through leadership development opportunities.
Goals and Objectives
• The members of the Durham Youth Commission will be appointed to various boards and commissions that serve the citizens of the City of Durham.
• The youth commission members will actively participate in discussion and the decision- making process regarding the issues faced by these boards; through this process the youth will learn how municipalities function and the importance of citizen involvement in civic matters.
• The youth commission will learn the importance of community service projects to the members of the Durham community through participation in hands-on service projects.
• The youth will be carefully educated and trained to understand the role of public service and advocacy.

Terms of Service of the City of Durham Youth Commission
• Sixty members, 9th grade through 12th grade and reflecting the diversity of the City of Durham, will be selected from a citywide application process.
• Selected youth will demonstrate an understanding of issues facing the City of Durham; will have a demonstrated history of involvement in community activities as well as school activities.
• The selected members of the Durham Youth Commission will serve one-year terms. The application and selection process will take place annually during the months of March and April. Term of service will expire the following year on May 31.
• Youth will sign a contract agreeing to the terms of service, which includes a commitment to attend all youth commission sponsored events, training/conferences and the meetings of boards/commissions to which the youth are assigned.
• Youth will commit to 20 hours of community service during their one-year term of service.
• Selected youth will be responsible for upholding youth commission by-laws and self-regulating the membership.

Coordinator:
Evelyn Scott
101 City Hall Plaza, Second Floor
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 354-2730, ext. 11104
Fax: (919) 560-4801