“No Decision About Us, Without Us!”
Established: June 2007
Minneapolis Youth Congress
(MYC) Begins October 25, 2007 !!!
The Minneapolis Youth Congress (MYC) members
met for the first time on October 25 at the Minneapolis Central Library. They
were collectively represented with brown “MYC” t-shirts with the “No
Decision About Us, Without Us!” theme on each of their backs. The
youth were joined by elected officials from the Minneapolis Youth
Coordinating Board endorsing this great movement for the city of
Minneapolis in youth leadership, voice and power. Elected officials
addressing the youth included, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail
Dorfman, Mayor RT Rybak, Council Member Elizabeth Glidden and School
Board Director Peggy Flanagan. The first session kicked off
with DJ Snuggles providing an energetic beat boxing to get the new
Minneapolis Youth Congress members excited of their tasks at hand.
VISION
The Minneapolis Youth Congress (MYC) is a representative body of
youth that has authentic power and influence in decisions and policies
relevant to youth, and that works in collaboration with elected officials
focusing on a common understanding of the welfare of the youth in
the City of Minneapolis .
Congress Advises:
- City of Minneapolis
- Minneapolis Public Schools
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- Hennepin County
- Minneapolis Public Library
- Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
Membership and Structure:
- 55 members (5 youth x 11 planning districts)
- 8 th – 12 th grade
- 1 year – 2 year term
- Full congress meets six times a year
- Committees meet twice a month
- Congress housed in the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
Committees
- Education
- Housing
- Safety
- Employment
- Transportation
- Health
News
1) In November, the MYC members met with their self-selected committees
to participate in facilitated focused conversations addressing youth
violence in the city of Minneapolis . These youth reacted to
the Mayor's Youth Violence Prevention Blueprint for Action discussing
their thoughts, feelings, key learning's and proposed considerations
for the Mayor and the Youth Violence Committee.
The second session of the Minneapolis Youth Congress is December 20,
2007. The agenda is already filling for this key leadership group
of youth in the city. They will be presenting their committee
conclusions to Mayor RT Rybak and offering considerations and recommendations
on how youth can be a part of the solution in ending youth violence
2) On June 6, 2007 , Minneapolis Youth Coordinating
Board passes resolution for
the creation of the Minneapolis Youth Congress:
3) In October, the members of the MYC will be
trained in the functions of leadership and decision making by Wellstone
Action Alliance.
4) On October 25, 2007 , the Minneapolis Youth
Congress will convene for the first time at the Minneapolis Central
Library in downtown Minneapolis .
How to apply:
If you are interested or a young person you know is interested in
applying to be a member of the Minneapolis Youth Congress, please
download the following application and return it to pam.mcbride@ci.minneapolis.mn.us ,
or fax to 612.673.2346 (attn: MYC).
Questions:
For all other questions regarding the Minneapolis Youth Congress
, please call 612.673.2708.
Application-click
here
MYC Resolution-click
here
