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Youth Advisory Council of Columbus

Contact

Lisa Goodwin, Deputy City Manager

www.columbusga.gov/YAC/

www.facebook.com/YACColumbusGA/

Council Info
2000
84
Middle School through High School
We typically budget between $5,000-$7,500.
General Fund/Legislative Delegation
Each 4th Monday of the month from 6-7:30 pm
City Council Chambers
Mission Statement

To broaden the scope of youth leadership in Columbus, Georgia through voluntarism, service and initiatives that are directed towards allowing youth input into policy issues, identifying youth issues, and participating in the development of positive solutions.

Selection Process

Applications are provided to Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors for both public and private schools in Muscogee County. Applications are also posted on our Youth Advisory Council website. All applications are due not later than April 15th of each year. The incoming President of the YAC along with Adult Advisors come together to select 64 applicants from those that are submitted. We also receive appointments from the Mayor, City Council and the School Board that make up the additional 20 students.

Do youth council members attend schools in the city or county or both? Are members enrolled in private school or home schooled?

Members attend public and private schools in Muscogee County.

City department responsible for overseeing the council

Deputy City Manager

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

Yes, to both the City Council and the School Board

Does group participate in overnight events?

Yes, we recently had representation at the Ambassadors in Sneakers TransAtlantic Tour.

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

We have found that it is very important that parents not be allowed to attend meetings, events, etc. The youth are more apt to open up and participate when mom or dad is not around. It is also important to ensure that you have adult advisors to assist with helping to mentor and provide guidance along the way.

Event Description

A Youth Advisory Council Member and one of our Advisors was selected to participate in a German-American Youth Exchange this past summer called the Ambassadors in Sneakers TransAtlantic Human Rights Academy. They spent two weeks in Germany and two weeks in New York and Birmingham, Alabama. The program centered around human and civil rights. We were thrilled to have been chosen to participate. Our Advisor actually served as a chaperone for the academy and worked very closely with the organizers.