St. Mary's County Youth Advisory Commission weighs recruitment, clarifies advisory role and next steps; minutes approved

The St. Mary's County Youth Advisory Commission met March 1, 2021, to discuss recruitment, clarify whom the commission is intended to advise, and plan next steps to increase youth participation. Members approved minutes from Aug. 3 and later moved to adjourn.

The meeting focused on two recurring concerns: uncertainty about the commission’s formal advisory target (which officials or departments receive and act on its recommendations) and structural barriers that limit youth participation. Latay Reeves, Youth Advisory Commission staff support liaison, said the group’s immediate next step should be direct contact with county commissioners so members can learn what the commissioners would welcome and align the commission’s work accordingly. "I think the first step is getting in contact with the county commissioners, and inviting them to your next meeting so that you guys can have an idea and have a streamlined…