Seven members gather for inaugural meeting of Kincardine Youth Advisory Council

Seven young people sat at the Kincardine council table for the inaugural meeting of the Youth Advisory Council, Monday night (March 6).

The members of this newest youth organization include:
 

• Brooklyn Lampi, 14, of Kincardine, a student at St. Anthony's School, Kincardine
• Kate Voskamp, 16, of Kincardine, a student at Sacred Heart High School, Walkerton
• Andrew McKay, 12, of Kincardine, a student at Huron Heights Public School, Kincardine
• Autumn Lake, 13, of Kincardine, a student at St. Anthony's School, Kincardine
• Shae Jackson, 14, of Kincardine, a student at Kincardine District Secondary School, Kincardine
• Kristen Jackson, 12, of Kincardine, a student at St. Anthony's School, Kincardine
• Justin  Noakes, 13, of Inverhuron, a home-schooled student

Joining them, were members of Youth Waves, including deputy mayor Jacqueline Faubert, Jason Weppler, Beth French, Dom Jackson and Mariah Lampi, along with staff resource Patty Beckberger.

Faubert welcomed everyone and noted that Youth Waves plans to hold a workshop on youth leadership at KDSS in the spring which could result in more members added to the Youth Advisory Council. "We want to have about 12-18 youth in total on the council."

She said the youth council's purpose is to figure out what youth want to do in the community. Meetings will be held once per month, and there are two outings planned - one to Queen's Park for a tour with Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson; and the second is a trip to Ingersoll to see the Fusion Youth Centre there.

Following introductions, Faubert said there are some great opportunities on the youth council to develop leadership skills, meet new people and make new friends, gain valuable experience for your resume, raise awareness of youth needs, have your voice heard, and learn more about your community.

The most important thing about this council is that it is youth-driven, said Faubert, unlike other organizations that have a token youth member.

"This group will come up with youth-led activities," she said. "You decide what to do, with guidance and assistance from adults mentors working as equal partners. This is about you and what you want to do."

Faubert outlined three possible paths or goals: projects and events; fund-raising; and youth leadership and advocacy. As part of these, the youth council might consider a special issue event or project, a book club, a video on youth issues; fund-raising for shared goals such as a youth centre or Friday night socials, or fund-raise for youth groups and initiatives; and the group might consult with youth in the community and bring back a voice to council, conduct leadership training, and tour other youth centres.

For homework, the youth council members were told to think about those three areas and bring back some ideas to the next meeting, April 10.

At that meeting, Faubert said the youth council will develop a Terms of Reference and participation agreement, as well as set goals and action plans, and welcome a mystery speaker. Notification will be done by E-mail.