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Youth advisory commission outlines priorities, fundraising plan and partnerships
Summary
Auburn’s Youth Advisory Commission updated council on membership, monthly meetings, a project plan to raise seed funds for future commissions and proposed partnerships with schools and nonprofits to support student needs and engagement.
Representatives of the Auburn Youth Advisory Commission gave the council an informational update on membership, goals and early projects, saying the commission has met regularly since October and will focus annually on a specific youth project.
“I'm just gonna go ahead and read our project purpose,” said Jamie Ross, summarizing the commission’s scope: to advocate for youth in Auburn and surrounding areas, foster community involvement, educate youth and the public about local government, and elevate youth issues to the Auburn City Council. Sarah Liebert joined Ross in the presentation.
Commission members reported they have 12 youth and three adults; the youngest participants include middle‑schoolers (seventh grade) and older participants include high‑school seniors, providing a peer‑mentorship mix. The commission’s initial project is to raise funds to seed future commissions’ projects; presenters said the commission is exploring partnerships with Placer High School, Rotary and existing nonprofit programs such as school wellness closets that provide personal‑care items to students.
Council discussion focused on the mechanics of raising funds. The city manager and councilmembers noted current rules do not generally allow city committees and commissions to hold funds directly; a councilmember said staff will work with the city attorney to bring a proposal back for council consideration about whether or how committees may raise money and what controls would apply. Presenters said, as an interim option, they intend to partner with an existing nonprofit that serves youth to receive and administer donations for commission projects.
Councilmembers praised the commission’s energy and asked staff to return the commission’s final scope statement for formal adoption and placement on the consent calendar. Councilman Rick Holmes suggested eligible juniors at Placer High School be encouraged to apply for Boys and Girls State to deepen civic knowledge; presenters noted the commission plans to have students present their project at the end of the school year.
