Youth Advisory Council Application
July 2020
Greetings!
The Metropolitan Education Commission (MEC) is in search of high school students to join the Youth Advisory Council (YAC). If you are highly motivated, interested in government, and have a desire to help your community then the YAC is right for you!
Membership in the YAC affords students opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, public speaking, advocacy, civic participation, networking, and more. Since its inception in 1992, the YAC has been of value to education policy in Tucson. Composed of high school students representing public, private, charter and parochial schools across our city and county, the YAC gives students opportunities to share their voice on topics that concern youth.
The goals of the YAC are to provide student input on policies and programs designed to improve the quality of education and the overall welfare of youth throughout Arizona, Pima County and the City of Tucson. YAC members engage in activities which foster leadership, civic engagement and advocacy.
Activities include:
- Meetings with local elected officials and community leaders
- DemocraSeed youth advocacy and student voter registration project
- Annual Teen Town Hall
- Civic Engagement Day at the State Capitol in Phoenix
- Youth and Peace Conference
- Youth Leadership Conference & Career Fair
While COVID-19 has affected many aspects of life including last year’s YAC members, we plan to continue the program throughout the 2020-2021 school year in person and/or virtually. We will be following the Arizona Department of Education’s lead when it comes to the decision of in person vs. virtual meetings.
The YAC meets twice a month on Mondays from August through April. Meetings will take place via the Zoom meeting platform; the link to the meetings will be sent via email.
Applications for membership can be completed online at www.metedu.org under the Youth Leadership tab. If you have any questions, please contact Ed Nossem, Program Coordinator at 520-670-0055, x14 or through email at ed@metedu.org .
Sincerely,
Arlene Benavidez, M.A.
MEC Executive Director
