Youth Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A REGULAR YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS April 17, 2013 “Lead, Serve, Shine” Adult Commissioners Present (5) Carla Slawson-Martens, Chairperson Gary Moriello Lauren Schifferdecker Kay Ellen Stein Sharon Weingarten Student Commissioners Present (5) Grace Elisco, Co-Chairperson Zainab Ahmed Andy Han Kent Steinberg Ross Steinberg Commissioners Absent (14) Allison Kaplan Ethan Kirshenbaum Casey Luc Harrison Marick Danny Martens Ethan Matlin Amanda Mawrence Emily Schwandner Maddie Serota Michael Shore Peter Szemraj Josh Tolmatsky Adam Wagner Ryan Wagner Village Staff Present Jason Batalden, Youth Commission Staff Liaison Stacy Seiden, Recorder Additional Attendee Maggie Bruce, Youth Ministry Coordinator, St. Norbert 1. Call to Order  Page 2 Minutes of the April 17, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting Co-Chairperson Elisco called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane, at 7:10 PM. A quorum was present. 2. Review of Minutes Commissioner Moriello moved, seconded by Commissioner Stein, to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2013 Youth Commission meeting without corrections. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 3. Public Comments Ms. Bruce introduced herself and explained that she, along with representatives from the Northbrook United Methodist Church and Village Presbyterian Church, created a new group, Northbrook Youth Ministers Network. Working with the Northbrook Clergy Association, the network intended to assist young Village residents in coping with the recent deaths of several Northbrook youth. The network was interested in collaborating with the Youth Commission and, therefore, Ms. Bruce encouraged commissioners to contact the network as needed. The network was considering hosting an interfaith gathering in July, around the time of the one-year anniversaries of some of the untimely deaths. Given their young target audience, the network used Facebook as a primary form of communication. Chairperson Slawson-Martens encouraged Ms. Bruce to share any relevant network information with commissioners at the May commission meeting. Liaison Batalden noted that a Community Relations Commission liaison attended clergy association meetings. He suggested that the Youth Commission and Northbrook Youth Ministers Network may want to consider a similar arrangement. Commissioners discussed the current tone at Glenbrook North High School (GBN) following the very recent passing of a GBN student. They also discussed the possibility of using Facebook for Youth Commission-related matters. Liaison Batalden cautioned against conducting public, commission-related business on Facebook (e.g., via a private Facebook group), which, according to him, could violate state law. Additionally, Liaison Batalden noted the staff challenge of managing a Facebook page for each of the many Village commissions. Chairperson Slawson-Martens suggested that the Youth Commission petition the Village Board of Trustees to request a Youth Commission Facebook landing page because the social media site is one of the primary ways that youth communicate. Commissioner Stein recommended that commissioners promote the Youth Commission-sponsored Film Festival on their personal Facebook pages. Commissioners and Ms. Bruce discussed the Northbrook Interfaith Sunday event beginning at 12:30 PM on April 21 at the Village Green Gazebo. 4. 2013 Calendar of Events A. Film Festival – Monday, June 10 Chairperson Slawson-Martens reported that space had been reserved at the Northbrook Public Library for the Youth Commission-sponsored Film Festival on June 10. The movie theater at Northbrook Court was not available as a venue for the event. Chairperson Slawson-Martens reminded commissioners that she will not be attending the festival this year. Consequently, an adult, as well as two student presenters will be needed. Chairperson Slawson-Martens expressed concern about achieving sufficient commissioner and contestant involvement to host the festival this year.  Page 3 Minutes of the April 17, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting Commissioner Weingarten reported that she shared information about the festival with Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook. Chairperson Slawson-Martens explained that the commission could not promote the festival in schools because the event was not school-sponsored and reiterated that the festival was open to GBN and Glenbrook South High School (GBS) students. Commissioners discussed the minimal amount of entries necessary to hold the event and identified several youth with an interest in filmmaking that commissioners will attempt to recruit. Chairperson Slawson-Martens thought that the festival could move forward with a minimum of four entries. If that were the case, she suggested restructuring the event (e.g., using a master class format, with greater dialogue between the filmmakers and film expert). Commissioner Weingarten moved, seconded by Commissioner R. Steinberg, to designate Youth Commissioners as panel judges for the Film Festival. Commissioner Weingarten clarified that her motion did not include judging by the audience. However, the motion could include judging by invited guests. Commissioners discussed whether they would be conflicted serving as judges. Chairperson Slawson- Martens acknowledged that the audience voting process could be simplified from last year (e.g., audience members could vote for just one entry). On a voice vote, four commissioners supported the motion and six opposed. Therefore, the motion failed. Commissioner R. Steinberg then moved, seconded by Commissioner K. Steinberg, to involve the audience in judging festival films. Chairperson Slawson-Martens emphasized that should commissioners approve this motion, it should be with the understanding that the voting process must be as simple as possible and commissioners will need to provide adequate support (e.g., creating the necessary ballot, collecting and tallying votes). On a voice vote, six commissioners supported the motion, three opposed, and one abstained. Therefore, the motion carried. Commissioners will finalize festival details, including whether or not to proceed with the event, at their meeting next month. Chairperson Slawson-Martens encouraged those who cannot attend the May meeting to let her or Liaison Batalden know if they are interested in helping with the festival. Chairperson Slawson-Martens clarified that festival contestants may submit more than one film entry and entries should be submitted to Village Hall by May 31. Commissioners Moriello, Schifferdecker, and Weingarten indicated their willingness to assist with some festival elements. Commissioner Stein will not be helping with this event. Given that the commission may not receive film entries by the next commission meeting scheduled for May 15, Commissioner Moriello moved, seconded by Chairperson Slawson-Martens, to change the date of the next Youth Commission meeting to May 22. The later date also would facilitate commissioners screening films at their next meeting. After confirming that no relevant GBN activities conflicted with the proposed date, the motion unanimously carried on a voice vote. 5. Old Business Commissioner Moriello requested those who had not done so, to sign a card for Sandie Huberty, who recently resigned from the commission. Chairperson Slawson-Martens inquired as to whether Ms. Huberty would receive a pen similar to the one that graduating seniors departing the commission received.  Page 4 Minutes of the April 17, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting At their May meeting, commissioners will say “goodbye” to the following six graduating commissioners: Amanda Mawrence, Harrison Marick, Ryan Wagner, Casey Luc, Josh Tolmatsky, and Peter Szemraj. Commissioner Moriello observed that the commission was losing adult members and six student members, underscoring the need to recruit new commissioners. Recruitment suggestions were made, including placing relevant articles in the Northbrook Tower and Northbrook Star, visiting the GBN student advisory group, and reaching out to Rotary youth leaders. Chairperson Slawson-Martens suggested that each student commissioner bring a potential new student commission member with them to the May Youth Commission meeting. Commissioners noted that pizza was traditionally served at the May Youth Commission meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Weingarten and seconded and amended by Chairperson Slawson- Martens to purchase a cake from Costco for the May 2013 Youth Commission meeting and make the May commission meeting an annual “Hello/Goodbye May Dinner Meeting.” On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. Liaison Batalden will order the pizza and Commissioner Stein will order the cake for the May meeting. Liaison Batalden reported that he received “less than a handful” of commissioner bios to post on the Youth Commission Website. Commission Stein opposed the posting of bios because of the additional work that the project involved. Liaison Batalden noted that other Village commissions created brochures about their commission-related work. In lieu of bios and for recruitment purposes, commissioners decided to add flyers about the commission, generally, and Film Festival, specifically, as well as a link to the abbreviated Youth Commission member application to the Youth Commission site. Commissioner Moriello confirmed with Liaison Batalden that Ms. Huberty will receive a Village proclamation at the May Board meeting. Accordingly, Ms. Huberty will be invited to the May Board and Youth Commission meetings. 6. New Business Liaison Batalden reported that the Community Relations Commission was considering organizing a Youth Forum with a “youth in crisis” focus. Chairperson Slawson-Martens cautioned that GBN principal, Paul Pryma, had not supported a similar Youth Commission concept because, according to her, the principal perceived commissioners as lacking the necessary qualifications. Liaison Batalden explained that Village President Frum wanted the forum to be inclusive and, therefore, the Youth Commission should consider working with the Community Relations Commission on the event. Liaison Batalden reminded commissioners that completing the Open Meetings Act online training was required to serve on the commission. Commissioner Han agreed to serve as the student Co-Chairperson at the next Youth Commission meeting on May 22, 2013. 7. Student Hot Topics Commissioner Han referenced a GBN student commission that may assume some activities previously associated with the recently disbanded Northbrook Citizens for Drug & Alcohol Awareness. Chairperson Slawson-Martens encouraged commissioners to invite these civic-minded students to join the Youth Commission, as well. She noted that GBN and GBS students would perform the musical, West Side Story, this spring. Commissioner K. Steinberg announced that the GBN tennis team had won one out of three matches, thus far, this season.  Page 5 Minutes of the April 17, 2013 Youth Commission Meeting 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner R. Steinberg moved, seconded by Commissioner K. Steinberg, to adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. Co-Chairperson Elisco adjourned the meeting at 8:40 PM. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Stacy J. Seiden Recorder