Members serve two years and report to City Council
Gilroy – The moment Ty Ashford saw the commercial asking teens to join the Gilroy Youth Commission, he knew he had to apply.
“It was just an opportunity to learn and to get involved with local government,” the 22-year-old said. “It was almost like a call to action, a way to represent a population that’s commonly overlooked.”
Ashford certainly found his niche. He joined the commission in 2000 and went on to spend two terms on the 11-member board. And these days you can find the young professional at the Gilroy Senior Center where he serves as coordinator.
Recruitment wasn’t an issue during Ashford’s tenure, but this summer nine seats were vacated and city officials are desperate to fill them up.
That’s why Gayle Glines, recreation supervisor for the City of Gilroy Community Services, wants to get the word out loud and clear. While the city employee wouldn’t necessarily say she’s “worried” the seats will remain empty come September, she is concerned.
“But that’s why we’re trying to do as much as we can (to let everyone know),” Glines said.
The sudden exodus has nothing to do with flaky teens and no one was asked to leave. Actually, college is the culprit responsible for the hefty departure.
Eight of the students leaving are heading off to higher education institutions, while one is moving out of town. Glines described the members as “fully involved students,” who managed to make time for the volunteer work, even with super-busy schedules.
Established in 2000 by the City Council, the Gilroy Youth Commission is the vehicle that transports a juvenile voice to city officials. Terms are two years long and commissioners may not serve more than three.
Any teen between the ages of 13 to 19 residing within the Gilroy Unified School District boundaries, are eligible to join.
But beware: the commitment isn’t light.
The group meets twice a month, staging both an official and “work meeting.” The official meeting is run just like the city’s, under the rules of the Brown Act or open meeting law. A secretary records minutes and there’s commission officers, such as chairman or president.
The “work meeting” serves as the brainstorming segment. Also, two times a year, the teens report to the City Council, detailing any youth-related issues they’ve chosen to focus upon.
“It’s not just a matter of coming to two meetings a month,” Ashford said. “We really want people who are interested in making a change in the community.”
The commission has also organized a variety of community-based events, including the Gilroy Hurricane Katrina fundraiser, teen nights at the Wheeler Manor, creek clean-ups and a senior citizen prom they staged jointly with the Morgan Hill Youth Commission.
Also, the group was instrumental in kicking-off the construction of the skate park at Las Animas Veterans Park.
Still, teens have signed up and disappointed. The group has kicked out at least one member every year since she’s been on board, said commission Chairperson Alexis Dalke.
Missing more than three consecutive meetings is grounds for dismissal, but the commission decides what action to take on a case-by-case basis.
But for the most part, the city does a good job of selecting teens who are mature for their age and responsible members, Dalke said. And the 17-year-old includes herself in that majority, a group of teens who don’t view showing up to meetings and organizing the numerous events the commission stages, as a drag.
“I just think that the youth commission is the best thing this city has,” Dalke said. “It’s the best-kept secret. I love that we do so much community service.”
