What do Youth Commissioners Do?

• Encourage teen leadership and responsibility through involvement.
• Create opportunities for public discussion of teen issues through meetings, workshops and conferences.
• Explore and identify issues and concerns of special importance to teens and communicate those issues to the City Council and Recreation Commission.
• Look for ways to promote mutual understanding, respect and communication amongst teen groups of all cultures and backgrounds.

They also:

Sponsor Youth and Teen Activities

Attend & Participate

• Bay Area Youth Commission Conference
• Commission retreats and City receptions
• Radio, television & newspaper interviews

So, How Did the YAC Get Started?

In the late 1980's, the Mayor invited all of the high school student body presidents in the Fremont Unified School District to meet with the City Council to discuss issues of interest to young people.

On October 24, 1989, the Council introduced an ordinance to create the Youth Advisory Commission. The ordinance was adopted on November 7 and became effective December 7, 1989. The formation of the Commission was completed on December 19, 1989, when the Mayor appointed the first members to the newly-created Youth Advisory Commission.

Who Joins the Youth Commission?

The Commission is comprised of 13 teenage members. Commissioners represent the five districts of Fremont (Warm Springs, Centerville, Irvington, Niles and Mission San Jose).

To qualify for the Commission, you must be:

• A resident of the City of Fremont
• In the 7^th through 12^th grade
• Be willing to commit time and energy (about 6 hours a month for meetings & committees)

Okay, So How Do I Become a Youth Commissioner?

Applications are submitted to the Youth Advisory Commission for review each quarter or as needed. The Youth Advisory Commission will recommend candidates to the City Council for final consideration and appointment. Recommendations occur in the late Spring for the upcoming school year or as necessary throughout the year. Terms of office are two years.

All Fremont teens who wish to "make a difference" are encouraged to apply.

To get an application or for further information, please contact YAC Advisor / Recreation Supervisor Rena Dein, at 510-494-4344 or email rdein@ci.fremont.ca.us .