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.

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.

Subcommittees

The Board is currently comprised of three subcommittees: Middle School Action, High School Action and Teen Advocacy.

Middle School Action is the subcommittee for our middle school members. This group allows youth, grades 6-8, an opportunity to plan, publicize, implement and evaluate events and service projects. Past projects spearheaded by the Middle School Action include:

• Family Friday, a drop-in night for quality family time
• Fall Fun Fest, the annual preschool costume carnival
• Friday Night Recess, a game and sports-filled night for elementary-aged kids

High School Action keeps busy with the planning of multiple events and service projects which add to the offerings by Parks & Recreation. Past projects include:

• Senior Prom, a dance for the residents of Aegis Senior Living
• Harry Potter Night, an event for kids who love all things Harry
• Science Symposium, a STEM event for middle schoolers, complete with high school robotics club participation
• Dodgeball & Doughnuts, a dodgeball tournament bringing high school students and police officers together
• Issy Kids Triathlon, annual event introducing kids to this fun sport

Teen Advocacy focuses on addressing hot topic teen issues within Issaquah through service, advocacy and youth representation on adult-predominant boards and commissions. Past projects include:

• State of Mind, an annual mini-conference for teens and adults about mental health issues impacting Issaquah youth
• The Quah TV Show, a TV production for teens by teens
• Poetry Slam, an event to highlight and celebrate the teen voice
• Youth Representation in groups including Issaquah Park Board, Issaquah Human Services Committee and Issaquah Sister Cities Commission

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 2020-2021 school year is now open! The application and two reference forms are due by May 1, 2020. 

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

Scan and email application to submit.