Youth Advisory Council

If you would like to become a member of the Youth Advisory Council email your resume to info@quintewest.ca or mail it to:

Youth Advisory Council

7 Creswell Dr. P.O. Box 490
Trenton, ON
K8V 5R6

Purpose

The Youth Advisory Council is the official youth advisory group for the City of Quinte West. Established in 2009, the Youth Advisory Council advocates for youth issues giving youth a voice, works with the City of Quinte West and the YMCA, and serves as a connection between the leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Youth Advisory Council are briefly outlined below.

• Centralize all the requests/interests of youth (age 13-19) residents of Quinte West
• Act as liaison between the youth residents, the Mayor and City Council, and the schools located in Quinte West
• Plan and implement fundraising activities and events in coordination with City Council, to further the interests and means of local businesses, service organizations, and youth residents
• Become actively involved in the Quinte West community
• Play an active role in the Youth Advisory Council appointment process
• Identify and bring forward issues that have an impact on the youth of Quinte West and may be of sufficient significance to warrant the City's consideration or support
• Encourage members of the Youth Advisory Council to become more familiar with the workings of local government through education, involvement, and participation
• Encourage the constructive input of the youth of the City of Quinte West on those matters that are likely to have an impact on them

Committee Members

• Alexandra Weeks
• Erin McLellan
• Darius Soo-Lumm
• Lily Down
• Megan Busch
• Andrew Murphy
• Cassandra Laffan
• Kelsie Sills 

   

  Committee Meetings

  Youth Advisory Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. 

  View Committees calendar for details on upcoming committee meetings. You can search committee meetings by date and committee type. 

  Review agendas and minutes of previous committee meetings.

   

  We Welcome Your Input!

  The Youth Advisory Council welcomes your input. If you have an issue or suggestion that you would like the Youth Advisory Council to discuss, please email one of the Committee Members addressing your suggestion or concern.

  If you are interested in volunteering with one of our activities, please contact the City of Quinte West Recreation, Community & Marketing Coordinator.

   

  History of the Quinte West Youth Advisory Council

  In 2006, the Ontario Consortium on Youth and Recreation developed National Youth Week, an opportunity to celebrate youth across Canada and their involvement in their community and their accomplishments. They brought the proposal to the Canadian Parks & Recreation Association (CPRA) at their annual general meeting in 2006, where it was passed unanimously. The official declaration stated that very year, May 1st-7th would be recognized as National Youth Week.

  For the inaugural year in 2007, Recreation Coordinator Teressa Cormier of the City of Quinte West brought together a committee of individuals known as the Youth Network Committee to work on a project for National Youth Week. Representation from Youth Hab, Hastings & Prince Edward Mental Health Services, community groups, Trenton High School, and St. Paul Catholic Secondary School served on this committee. There were also student representatives from both schools on the committee, who acted as advisors for the project.

  The end result of months of planning was a Guitar Hero Tournament held on Saturday, May 4th, 2007 for the youth residents of the Trenton Ward. The event brought a large crowd and members from local service agencies set up information booths for the youth. Mayor John Williams played the first game of Mississippi Queen against a youth representative.

  In the weeks leading up to the tournament, Mayor Williams spoke to the youth involved with the event about starting a Youth Council for Quinte West. Although there was initial interest, the project never came to fruition. The Prince Edward County Youth Advisory Committee and the Northumberland Youth Advisory Council had already been active since 2005.

  In May 2009, a press conference was held by Mayor Williams about Volunteer & Information Quinte's "Change the World" week. The goal of the week was for youth to contribute 3-4 hours of community service to celebrate volunteerism, which commenced with the Trash Bash held that day. Local dignitaries and students from local high schools were present for the announcement. After the conference, Joseph Murphy spoke to Mayor Williams about co-operative education opportunities at City Hall. Mayor Williams replied by stating that he would like to see an active Youth Committee in Quinte West, and that the student could work on that project.

  In September 2009, Joseph Murphy started at City Hall as the Youth Liaison Officer and contacted local high schools with the goal of recruiting members. With the aid of Marilynne Senese, Jackie Powell, Tim Dostaler, Jane Nickerson, and Elaine Constant, 12 students were nominated from the four high schools located in Quinte West to serve on the inaugural council.

  In the research phase, Murphy looked at the NYAC and the PECYAC, in addition to the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee of Mississauga for examples of working groups. Jamie Simmons from the NYAC provided helpful information for the formation of the group, as did Sue Gauthier and Ron Riddell of the YMCA. Murphy worked with Teressa Cormier, Cathie Usborne, CAO Gary Dyke, and Mayor Williams on preparing the details for the starting of the Youth Advisory Council.

  At the October 19th meeting of City Council, Murphy made a presentation to Council asking them to implement a Youth Advisory Council for the City of Quinte West. The motion was made by Councilor Paul Kyte, seconded by Councilor Terry Cassidy. The Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion.

  An information session was held on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at City Hall for the nominated students. Murphy explained that their role on the inaugural council was to establish the goals, objectives, and logistics of the YAC for future generations.

  The first official meeting of the Quinte West Youth Advisory Council was held on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at City Hall.

   

  Links

  • Youth Advisory Council Facebook Page
  • Play Works
  • National Youth Week
  • Youth Advisory Council Profile - Volunteer & Information Quinte