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City staff proposes youth council and Columbus Cares Day; council discusses mentorship and volunteer leadership
Summary
Staff proposed a Columbus Youth Council to involve students in government and a one-day citywide volunteer event, Columbus Cares Day. Council members raised concerns about mentorship and the administrative championing necessary to sustain volunteer programs.
Carly Gadecki presented two community-engagement proposals: a Columbus Youth Council and a one-day volunteer event called Columbus Cares Day.
For the Youth Council, staff proposed up to 22 student members selected by two sponsoring council members, meeting twice monthly from October through May with one-year terms, required participation in or observation of at least one city council meeting, 10 hours of community service, and a requirement that the youth council as a body present one recommendation to the city council during the year. Carly said applications would open in August for an initial start in October and that student officers would be elected at the council's second meeting. She said membership could be adjusted from the proposed 22 and that eligibility would include either Columbus residency or attendance at a Columbus school.
On Columbus Cares Day, staff proposed an organized one-day volunteer event with eight zones (each ward split into two), zone leaders (a council member and potentially a youth council member), age-14 minimum for volunteers, and an outreach plan including postcards, website information, press releases and social media. Carly said individual residents, nonprofits and businesses could apply to host work sites for light projects such as yard work, litter pickup or painting; staff would screen and approve project submissions for safety and feasibility.
During discussion several council members and attendees said both ideas have promise but emphasized the need for consistent champions and mentors to organize volunteers and sustain such programs. One council member recalled a prior youth council that waned after a key mentor left. Staff suggested potential partnerships (for example, Keep Columbus Beautiful) and said Carly would help with initial organization but that long-term mentorship and council sponsorship would be necessary.
No formal motion or vote was recorded on the youth council or Columbus Cares Day during the meeting; council members requested follow-up and further outreach to absent council members for buy-in before moving forward.
