The Oneida County Youth Governance Program offers greater opportunities for youth leadership development and youth empowerment in Oneida County through direct participation in county government decision-making; provides real-life learning opportunities for youth in the functioning of local government; and brings a direct youth voice to community issues and concerns while fostering the development of confident, capable and independent leaders for the next generation.

The Oneida County Youth in Governance Program has four major components that are beneficial to the youth representatives and the county as a whole. These components include:

• Youth Development: helping youth develop the skills they need to succeed in YGP and beyond.
• Community Improvement: offering a unique opportunity for youth to positively contribute to their communities.
• Civic Engagement: allowing youth to engage with and participate in local government in a meaningful, long-term capacity.
• Youth Voice: providing a mechanism for the needs and interests of youth to be heard and understood.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply by May 4! Students should apply online by clicking the link below. Students will be notified of their participation status no later than May 16.

COST:

There is no cost for students to participate in this program.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS DO?

Youth representatives will have an opportunity to sit among county board members on a county committee and be paired with a county board supervisor who will serve as a mentor. County board supervisor-mentors will assist youth in becoming involved in county governance by providing information and resources for them to better understand the governance process, fully develop their ideas, and feel confident in sharing their opinions. They will encourage and promote learning and skill development in areas such as communication, organization, and decision-making. Mentors also advocate for the youth and help create a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment. In addition to committee meetings, youth representatives will attend cohort sessions, which provide a space to connect with other youth representatives; deepen learning; and grow youth leadership, civic engagement, and other important professional skills.

SCHEDULE

• 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21: STUDENT/PARENT ORIENTATION.
• 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25: YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE SESSION 1.
• 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 23: YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE SESSION 2.
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20: YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE SESSION 3: COURTHOUSE DAY.
• Sept.-January: Students will attend their assigned committee meeting once a month during this time frame. Students will also attend one full county board meeting during this time span (students can choose which month they would like to attend the full county board meeting).
• 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19: YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE SESSION 4.
• 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17: YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE RECOGNITION BY FULL COUNTY BOARD, followed by a reception.

BENEFITS

• FOR STUDENTS: Gain practical knowledge of local government, enhance public speaking, and critical thinking skills, and build a network of professional contacts.
• FOR COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISOR-MENTORS: Gain new energy, perspective, and ideas; Become more connected and responsive to the needs of young people in the community; Better enhance overall mission to better serve children and youth; Help cultivate the next generation of leaders: informed and capable individuals ready to take on future roles!
• FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS: Our civil society is strengthened when youth become informed and thoughtful citizens. Young people with skills, knowledge, commitment, and experience can reflect upon the common good, become full members of their communities, and take political action.

PARTICIPATION

• Must be a high school freshman, sophomore or junior at the time of application;
• Must be an Oneida County resident;
• Must be able to attend one committee meeting per month. Committee meetings are typically 2 hours long and will occur once a month between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. This means students who attend public or private school will need to leave school to attend a committee meeting. (UW-Extension Oneida County staff will provide students with letters for the school for excused absences).
• Attend the Orientation in May; 3 trainings held in the summer (one in June; one in July; and one in August); and one session in November.
• Attend at least one full county board between Sept.-March. Full county board meetings take place every third Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. and typically last around 2 hours. This means students who attend public or private school will need to leave school to attend a full county board committee meeting. (UW-Extension Oneida County staff will provide students with a letter for the school for excused absences).
• Youth representatives are expected to stay up to date on committee business, read necessary material in advance in order to stay engaged in committee meetings, not use cell phones or other devices during meetings (except for accessing meeting documents), wear business/dressy casual attire to committee meetings, and adhere to the UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Code of Conduct at all times.

LENGTH OF TERM

Youth members will serve a one-year term (May – February). There are no term limits, but returning members must re-apply.

MENTORS

At least one Oneida County Supervisor from each committee will serve as a mentor to the youth representatives. The mentor’s role is to offer support and guidance to youth participants throughout their tenure on the committee.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS

Check with your social studies, history, or civics teacher to see if you can earn independent study credits through participation in this program!