Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee M.Y.A.C. - Town of Fort Erie

Fundamental Values• All youth have the capacity to be contributingmembers of their community• All youth should grow up in a community thatenables them to reach their full potential• A young person’s development is empowered byknowing they are valued by the adults in theircommunity7

Framework ~ Asset Building• Asset building is a philosophy• Assets are concrete, common sense, positiveexperiences and qualities that are essential fora youth’s positive development• Assets have the power to positively influencesocial capital8

Internal Assets• Characteristics and behaviours that reflect innerstrength and confidence• Keys = InclusionOpportunityNurturingResponsibility• 20 Internal Assets11

• Caring• Equality & Social Justice• Integrity, Honesty• Planning & Decision Making• Interpersonal and Cultural Competence• Self Esteem, Sense of Purpose• Positive View of Personal Future12

Vision StatementThe Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee willencourage, promote and lead programs andfacilities that will enhance the overall quality oflife, health and well being of youth in theGreater Fort Erie community.13

Goals• Meaningful communication link exists betweendecision makers (Town Council) and Youth(MYAC), about issues that affect youth• Youth are engaged in the community• Youth engagement fosters compassion,leadership & mutual respect• Priorities and programs for youth are built onthe results and findings of the MYAC14

Terms of ReferenceOverviewMandatePurposeMembershipPositions, Roles, ResponsibilitiesProcedures & Protocol15

Purpose• To keep Town Council informed aboutimportant issues affecting youth• To occasionally host youth workshops, forums,conduct surveys, and to address concerns andneeds that affect youth• To act as a positive advocate for youth so thatyouth are valued and seen as contributors to thecommunity• To support events that relate to the mandate• To provide leadership experience for youth17

Membership Protocol• Minimum of 11, Maximum of 19 youth• Membership is open to youth age 13 – 21 wholive in Greater Fort Erie• Youth do not have to be part of their schoolcouncil• Selection is not based on academics• Emphasis is on willingness to commit andparticipate18

Membership Consistency• 4 to 8 high school students (at least one fromeach high school including Lakeshore, maximumof two per high school)• 2 to 4 Gr. 8 students (ideally one each fromRidgeway, Fort Erie, Crystal Beach, Stevensville)• 1 representative from each of FEPL, FENC,FEMC, and YMCA Teen Group(s)• 1 to 3 members at large• Mayor as ex-officio• 1 Adult Advisor19

Membership Benefits• Build capacity and skill in areas such asleadership, organization, planning, and decisionmaking• Develop greater awareness, compassion, andunderstanding of diverse issues such aseducation, homelessness, disability and poverty20

Selection / Application Process• Youth interested in serving on MYAC mustcomplete and submit application form andprovide two (2) references before required date• An impartial committee of the Mayor (Health ofYouth) will review and assess applications(blind), and select finalists21

Executive Positions• Chair• Vice Chair• Secretary22

Role of MYAC Chair• Chair all meetings of MYAC• Prepare all agendas• Motivate members• Recognizes member contribution• Is the spokesperson for MYAC23

Role of MYAC Vice-Chair• Assumes all responsibilities for Chair in his / herabsence• Is a positive line of communication for allMYAC members• Supervises attendance of MYAC members attheir meetings in consultation with the MYACChair and Advisor24

Role of MYAC Secretary• Sends proper emails and take minutes for allMYAC meetings• Ensures MYAC records are complete and clear• Ensures Motions are recorded accurately.• Forwards MYAC minutes to Town Council in atimely manner• Maintains and records contact information forMYAC members25

Role of the Mayor• Works with Health of Youth Committee toreview MYAC applicants and to appoint theMYAC Advisor• Communicates regularly and works with theMYAC Chair, acting as liaison on behalf ofMYAC with Town Council• Ex-officio, non-voting member• Attends MYAC meetings at least once everyother month26

Criteria for Advisor Selection• Greater Fort Erie adult resident, age 22+• Has ability to develop rapport with youth• Has good communication & group facilitationskills.• Has ability to encourage and motivate others• Is a good role model• Is willing to be an advisor28

Other MYAC Positions• Parliamentarian – Keeps MYAC Terms ofReference up to date and educates MYAC aboutparliamentary procedure• Historian – Records, updates, and maintainsMYAC scrapbook and acts as Secretary in his /her absence29

Procedures & ProtocolOverviewNote: Term = ONE (1) school yearAppointmentsSwearing InDecision MakingMeetingsSpecial Projects & EventsAmendments to Terms of Reference30

Appointments• Members must serve a minimum of one term• MYAC will elect its own executive at their firstmeeting of every new term• Executive members cannot be in the sameposition for more than 2 terms• Executive positions must be filled by memberswho are age 17 within the year of their term ofoffice• MYAC may fill vacancies as necessary31

Swearing In• Appointed members of MYAC will be sworn inat the first Town of Fort Erie Council meetingfollowing their final selection• I, (name of appointee) ___________ accept thisappointment to the Mayor’s Youth AdvisoryCommittee, and swear that I will faithfully, andto the best of my ability, discharge my duties andresponsibilities as a representative for all youthin Greater Fort Erie32

Decision Making• MYAC reports to Town Council• All MYAC members (except the Mayor andAdvisor) are voting members• MYAC will approve by motion those matters itwishes to advise Town Council• A quorum consists of 50% + 1 of MYACmembers• In the event of a tie, the MYAC Chair casts thetie vote33

Meetings• Meetings will be held once monthly• Meeting locations will rotate throughout theGreater Fort Erie community to encourageequal participation and attendance from allgeographical areas of the community• One public meeting will be held annually34

Projects & Special Events• MYAC will establish its priorities at thebeginning of each new term• MYAC will consider matters referred to it byTown Council or other relevant groupsregarding youth issues• MYAC may also consider matters identified byyouth in the community• Issues / Matters should be addressed in writingto the MYAC Chair35

Terms of Reference Amendments• MYAC will review the Terms of Referenceannually and submit recommendations (if any)to Town Council.• The community may recommend revisions forMYAC to consider• Final revisions to the Terms of Reference mustbe approved by Town Council36

Benefits of MYAC• Youth have the opportunity to voice theiropinions and concerns• Youth participate in community planning anddecisions• Youth are a resource to the community• Youth feel valued• Youth experience a sense of belonging to thecommunity37

Benefits…• Youth develop self confidence• Youth learn responsibility and accountability• Youth strengthen leadership and communitycommitment• Youth acquire new skills• Youth gain work experience• Youth forge meaningful connections with otheryouth and adults38

Benefits…• Youth strengthen sense of community pride andownership• When empowered to help shape theircommunity, youth are more likely to becomeadults who give back to their community• Youth who are involved in their community areless likely to engage in unhealthy behaviour39

Recommendation # 1• That Fort Erie Town Council proceed withadoption of a formal Mayor’s Youth AdvisoryCommittee for the Town of Fort Erie, withMayor as liaison.40

Recommendation # 2• That Fort Erie Town Council adopt the Termsof Reference of the Mayor Youth AdvisoryCommittee41

Recommendation # 3• That Fort Erie Town Council empower theMayor’s Youth Advisory Committee to conductits work under the Terms of Reference enacted42

• Questions?43