Youth Advisory Board

About

The 2020-2021 school year is the Issaquah Youth Advisory Board’s 25th 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. 

Currently, the Board has formed multiple Project Teams focusing on community impact. Members have joined Project Teams and are meeting and working outside of regularly scheduled board meetings. Project Teams include:

• Career Exploration
• Children in Need
• Civic Engagement
• Community Service
• Environmental Issues
• Indigenous Tribes
• Social Justice
• Teen Behavioral Health
• Virtual Community Events & Classes

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. Check back in April for the next application window.