Chairman & Mayor's Youth Leadership Council

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A partnership between Winnebago County, City of Rockford, and Winnebago County Health Department

Seeking Youth Leaders For 2021-2022 School Year!

In its efforts to increase youth leaders within the community, the Chairman and Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council is seeking new members. If you are interested please read the information below and complete the application.

Purpose of Council:

Youth Leadership Council was established in 2017.  The Chairman and Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council is facilitated by the Winnebago County Health Department. The purpose of this interagency youth council is to develop and retain diverse, young leaders throughout the region. Council members are engaged in opportunities to initiate change in their immediate spheres of influence, as well as their local and regional community.

By investing today in the development of these young leaders, it is our hope that they will experience the reward of engagement by participating in discussion around community issues, taking an active role as community members, and feeling ownership in their community and its future.

Every high school student within Winnebago County is eligible to apply if they are:

• Sophomores or juniors in high school (returning members may be seniors)
• Interested in learning more about leadership, public policy, community health, and local government
• Able to attend at least 70% (11 out of 15) of Youth Leadership Council meetings
• Self-starters with the potential to develop into a future leader of our community 

As a member of the Council, students should expect to participate in the following types of activities.

1. Advisory Meetings: The Council has interactive, educational sessions focusing on serious community issues such as substance abuse, family violence, public safety, and other public policy matters. The sessions are followed by a discussion with the Mayor and Chairman on the members’ perspectives on the issue presented.
2. Project Meetings: The Council members will engage in community projects related to the advisory meeting issues discussed. The Council may also consider projects of their own conception.
3. Special Events: Members will be invited to serve as volunteers and/or honorees at community meetings and events.    

Application available here.

Please direct inquiries and recommendations to Council Facilitators Erich Von Gillern (815) 720-4346 evongillern@wchd.org or Katie Kelly (815) 720-4191 kkelly@wchd.org  at the Winnebago County Health Department.

This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

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