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!