Chatham County Youth Commission

Contact

Van R. Johnson, II, Mayor

Council Info
1991
50
15-18
$50,000
County Commission
Every two weeks
Commission Chambers/virtually
Mission Statement

The Chatham County Youth Commission seeks to prepare youth for a lifetime of public and community service regardless of the youth’s present or future career aspirations.

Code of Conduct

The Chatham County Youth Commission, as a non-partisan creation of the Chatham County Commission, shall not be affiliated with any political party or engage in any political activity. This shall not prevent activities association with voter registration or lobbying on issues approved by the Chatham County Youth Commission.
Chatham County Youth Commissioners shall, always, conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the core values and goals of the organizations. Chatham County Youth Commissioners shall never place themselves in compromising positions or situations that will cast a negative image of Chatham County, the Chatham County Commission, or the Chatham County Youth Commission.

Chatham County Youth Commissioners, who have social networking accounts, i.e., Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, shall ensure that their posts, pictures, music, blogs, and associations be in good taste and representative of their membership in the Chatham County Youth Commission.

Any member may be immediately suspended or removed with or without notice for behavior that, in the opinion of the Founder, Director and staff, is not consistent with the values or intent of the Youth Commission. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:

  • Pregnancy/Fatherhood
  • Arrest/Conviction
  • Expulsion/Suspension from school
  • Two consecutive nine-week periods with a failing average or with a failed class    
  • An uncooperative or negative attitude

Any member may be suspended or removed by the membership when the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and fifty percent plus one members are present and votes are cast in favor of suspension/removal.    

Any member may be reinstated by the membership when the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and fifty percent plus one members are present and votes are cast in favor of reinstatement with the approval of the Director.

Selection Process

Students are recommended by public and private high school principals and counselors. They are interviewed by current participants and then must complete a 100-hour summer candidacy program before they are accepted into the program.

City department responsible for overseeing the council

County Manager’s Office

Does group act as an advisory committee for your City Council and/or County Commission

Yes

Does group participate in overnight events?

Yes. We always maintain appropriate adult student ratios. Parent/guardian consent is required. Rooming is same gender, and at no time may a student enter the room of someone of the opposite gender.

Words of advice to share with cities considering the establishment of a youth council

Engage in deliberate conversation and consultation with those cities and communities that have successful programs.

Event Description

  • GMA Mayors’ Day/Cities United Summit
  • ACCG Conference
  • National League of Cities Conference