Youth Issues and Actions from January 22, 2008 Board Meeting

YOUTH ISSUES


Teen Driving
Teens need to address the issue of teen driving because when teenagers are driving; we are responsible for our lives as well as other drivers and pedestrians. Safe driving can always save lives.

Overall the issues with teens driving seem to be their lack of knowledge about driving. Responsibility and maturity when teens are driving is scarce.

Lack of knowledge

Teens should be required to go through drivers ed.

The war is pointless
3,000 lives not worth avenging of father.

Drugs
Peer pressure

Understand what is right and wrong.

Remove yourself from situation.

Find a new group of friends to hang out with because if you are always around drugs then you are around the wrong crowd.

Personally believe that if a teen constantly is in an environment where drugs are a major issue then the teen may need to find a new group of friends or a new place to hand out or a new activity to take up. And this way temptation and peer pressure to try drugs will be eliminated.

School Violence and Peer Pressure
Poor media influences.

Lack of positive role models.

Lack of parental support.

Army Teens
Every child should have someone they can talk to and rely on.

Children need people around them that can lead and encourage them to reach for other options and the goals that fit their liking.

Internet Safety
Teens need to address internet safety because it can help protect their lives. With internet safety teens can protect personal information and keep themselves safe.

Teens need to address internet safety for many reasons: not meet the wrong people that might hurt their lives, personal information might be stolen.

Workforce Preparedness
Teens need to address the workforce preparedness because it can prepare a teenager for life. It is important for teenagers to have a proper impression and a good first presentation.

Issue: work that he has is low. Does not know other people that might recommend him.

Prepare by volunteering.

Look at the options out there and research so you can find a job that suites your liking.

Talk to family and friends and ask if they know of an opportunity for a better job.

Although teens working is usually inane, many teens especially 16 year olds should know that there are options out there for them. Be researching and weighing options they can discover their opportunities.

Stress and Depression
Take care of yourself first.

Let others know if you are overloaded.

Don’t spread yourself too thin.

Get sleep.


Issues

Depression & Suicide (12-18)
Bullying
Stress
Self image
Family problems
Academics
Cafeteria food
Relationships
Lock of motivation

Poor Media Influences
Lack substance
Images

Lack of Parental Support
Single parents
Young parents
Immature


Actions

Music

Convention
Develop greater self worth
Workshops
Guest speakers

Mentor Program

Take Action Tour

Agenda for January 22, 2008 Board Meeting

Harris County Youth Advisory Board
Spaghetti Warehouse
January 22, 2008
6:30 PM

AGENDA

I. Welcome & Introductions (Misty Young)

II. Ice Breaker (Sheryl Nolen)

***Dinner Served***

III. Why am I on this board? (handout)(Ricky Mahaley)

IV. Open Discussion (Doug Smith)

a. Needs & interests of Harris County youth

b. Event/programming ideas

V. By-laws (Misty Young)

VI. Officer Elections (Cedric King)

VII. Dynamic Youth Board (Sheryl Nolen)

a. Communication

b. Incentives

VIII. Next Meeting

IX. Other

Texas Extension Harris County Youth Board Blog was created to involve the youth board members in a conversation to plan events and share information on program needs to address relevant youth issues. The first meeting of the Harris County Youth Board was conducted on January 22, 2008 at Spaghetti Warehouse to discuss issues facing youth in communities through out Harris County.

The purpose of the Youth Board is to ensure that programs relevant to local needs are being developed and implemented.

Members learned what it means to serve on a youth board.

The benefits of serving on a youth board include:

• Be a significant part of the educational process

• See the impact the youth board has in the county

• See the positive change in program participants

• Develop skills you can use for the rest of your life

Responsibilities of the Youth Board:

Youth Board is responsible for educational programs associated with youth development. Members typically serve for 2 years. The six specific functions are as follows:

• To assist the county Extension agent (CEA) with planning phase of programming.

• To assist the CEA with the evaluation phase of programming

• To assist the CEA with the interpretation phase of programming

• To Assist the CEA with committee membership rotation to ensure optimum representation and diversity.

• To use the best management practices for financial management adopted by the Texas A&M University System and Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Qualifications and special skills:

• Resides in the community or county

• Is interested in youth development

• Has a broad, general perspective of the issues related to youth development in the county

• Represents the program’s targeted audience

• Has good visioning and communication skills

• Is interested in the quality of life of the county

The board usually meets two or three times a year. These meeting require 4 to 10 hours per year. In addition, about 10 hours may be needed to carry out the individual responsibilities. Task force or coalition members who are appointed because of their expertise in a specific area will require more time.

Advisors for the Youth board include County extension Agents, Misty Young, Sheryl Nolen, Doug Smith, Rickey Mahaley and community partners Mary Glover with Harris county Department of Education.

We welcome the 2008 Harris County Youth Board to experience participation in this blog! Let’s get to know a little more about the members-

Michael A. - Lamar High School is a member of Boy Scouts, Summerbridge and the Thespian Society. He volunteered to work on the summer bridge boy loading dock project and the Trash Bash . Special interest is playing guitar.

Matthew S. –Episcopal High School has been involved with Summerbridge and the Summer of Service program. His leadership roles include serving on the Debate Team President in Middle School and with Summerbridge. He has been involved with Community Service projects at the Houston Public Library, Race for the Cure, and served on the Brighten Gardens Senior Citizen Home project. Special Interests include songwriting, poetry and piano.

Susana A.- Charles H. Milby high School is a member of La Raza Student Alliance, Peace Club, Exxon Mobile Spanish Honor Society, History Honor Society, University Outreach Kdid off Mentorship for Freshman. Her leadership roles include VP for La Raza Student Alliance and Treasurer for Peace Club. Community service projects include Elves & More, US Citizenship Drives, Houston Children’s Museum volunteer.

Tom S.-Katy High School has been involved with 4-H and the Academic Decathlon. He has provided leadership as an officer at 4-H County Council and as a 4-H Ambassador.

(Tom will have to tell us more about his interests and service projects)

Jasmine L.- St. Hohn’s School is a member of the Top Teens of America Inc., Beta Club and Breakthough Houston. She has experience in leadership rols serving as V.P. of Beta Club, and as a Breakthrough Houston teacher. She also attended the Center for Talented Youth Civic Week Program in Chicago, Ill. Working on the Humger & Homeless project. Community Service includes the projects listed plus the Dawson Family Garden and the Primo Center for Youth (Chicago, Ill.). Her special interests are track , basketball, choir, piano and soccer.

David S.-Charles H. Milby High School is a member of La Raza Student Alliance, Peace Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, History Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and National Science Honor Society. He has had leadership roles serving as President of La Raza, Jr. V.P. of National Honor Society, Jr. Class Secretary, Parliamentarian for Milby Peace Club.

Lauren H.- Episcopal High School has been a member of Church Youth Council and Breakthrough Houston. She has been involved in the Summer of Service program working on community service projects. Her special Interests are piano, percussion, run track and basketball.

Brittnee L.-Alief Taylor High School a member of Houston Kids Community’s In Schools and Taylor African America Scholarship Association (TAASA). She has served in leadership roles as Executive Assistant of TASSA and Teen Representative for Link-Up Houston. Community Service projects in clued YMCA Afterschool programs, Link Up Houston, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston. Her Special Interest and talents are public speaking, interpersonal and proven leadership skills.

Jennifer W.-Nimitz High School has been a member of 4-H, FFA, National Honor Society, County Council, 4-H Ambassador, and Band. Leadership roles include serving as an officer for 4-H and FFA. Community service projects include Ronald Mc Donald House, Ben Taub Book donations, Operation Interdependence. She enjoys showing animal projects at the fair, shooting sports and hunting and opportunities for leadership.

Information has been sent to the Youth Board memebers this week to help them get connected and start the blogging to plan for this years events. Welcome all...we'll be visiting with you soon!

Welcome

Welcome to the Harris County Youth Board blog site. Here you will be able to share all kinds of cool stuff with your friends on the board. Happy Blogging!