Youth Advisory Board

About

The 2022-2023 school year is the Issaquah Youth Advisory Board’s (IYAB) 27th year in existence!

The City of Issaquah believes that youth are not only future leaders of tomorrow, but also active civic contributors of today. The board exists to create and encourage both youth leadership and service opportunities to develop leadership skills, highlight youth ideas and opinions, and unite the students of the Issaquah School District.

Our Focus

It is vital for a healthy and diverse community to offer multiple ways for youth civic engagement. Civic engagement benefits youth through the building of life skills, the creation of connections and the motivation to succeed in school and make a real difference. It not only enriches the lives of the youth involved, but it also socially benefits the community as a whole. 

The Board strives to ensure youth representation on our community’s adult-predominant boards and commissions such as the Park Board, Sister Cities Commission, Human Services Commission and Environmental Board. 

The Board’s structure has morphed over the years. Currently, IYAB is made up of two sub-committees: The Action and The Teen Advocacy. The Action focuses on the planning of community events that complement those planned by the City of Issaquah. This year, they are planning Harry Potter Night, Dodgeball & Doughnuts, and the Issy Kids Triathlon. The Teen Advocacy focuses on addressing issues impacting teens in the Issaquah area. This year, they are choosing to focus on Civic Engagement, the Environment, and Mental Health.

Membership

All youth, grades 5-11, who live and/or attend school within the Issaquah School District are welcome to apply each spring for the following school year.

We strive to have youth representing our home-school population, private schools and each of the Issaquah School District’s middle and high schools.

Membership is a one school-year commitment, with the opportunity to reapply each spring.

Member Requirements

Members are expected to meet the following requirements to serve on the Board:

• Attend board meetings at the Issaquah Community Center on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Attend at least 75% of the meetings planned for the school year.
• Assume a leadership role during the course of the school year.
• Be an active member of the board through attendance and participation in events/activities outside of Tuesday night meetings.

The average monthly time commitment for a board member is five to ten hours.

Application Process

This process takes place each spring to fill vacant positions for the following school year. Youth, grades 5 to 11, who live and/or attend school within the Issaquah School District are welcome to apply.

The application process for the 2023-2024 school year is now open! The application and two reference forms are due by May 12, 2023. 

Selected applicants will be contacted for a virtual interview. Finally, Board members will be selected and notified by mid-June.

Please submit your application to IYAB@issaquahwa.gov.