Article I: Purpose

The Brentwood Youth Commission will provide a voice for youth in the community; actively empower youth by supporting and providing programs, activities and initiatives; and create a positive and motivating environment for youth to prosper in the community.

Article II: Goals

The Goals of this Commission are:

• To promote healthy living and positive decision-making among youth
• To visibly and positively represent the youth of Brentwood
• To assist youth in better understanding local government
• To positively promote the Youth Commission through activities and promotions
• To generate a larger voice for the youth in the Brentwood Area
• To provide a forum for the youth to express their concerns and views
• To empower other local youth organizations
• To advise the Brentwood City Council on youth agenda, issues and topics

Article III: Membership & Appointment

Membership

The commission will consist of ten youth representatives and three adult advisors, who reside in the Brentwood city limits.

Commissioners will serve terms two years in length. Adult Advisors will also serve terms of two years in length. All members of the Youth Commission will begin each new term on July 1st. The minimum age for appointment as a Commissioner is eleven years of age, and the maximum age for appointment is eighteen years of age. If a Commissioner turns nineteen during their term, they may finish their complete term on the Commission. The minimum age for appointment as an Adult Advisor is twenty-one years of age.

Applications

The application for the Commission will be available at Edna Hill Middle School, Bristow Middle School, Doug Adams Middle School, Liberty High School, Heritage High School, Freedom High School and the City of Brentwood Parks and Recreation Department Office.

Recruitment will begin in the month of February. The Executive Committee will review all applications in the month of April so that the recommendations for appointment can be made to the Youth Commission in May, followed by a recommendation to the City Council. The new members will take their positions on the Commission at the July meeting.

Appointment

The Brentwood City Council shall make appointments to the Commission based on the recommendations of the Youth Commission.

Vacancies on the Commission

In the event of a Commission vacancy prior to the completion of the term, the Commission will either make a recommendation to the City Council of a replacement from any qualified applicants that are on file or choose to leave the position vacant until the regular recruitment process commences.

Article IV: Officers

The Officers of the Commission will be elected at the regular Commission meeting in July. The term of office will last a period of one year, beginning immediately after election at the July meeting, and ending on June 30th of the following year.

The officers will be as follows:

• Chairperson: The Chairperson will preside over all meetings of the Commission, set and approve the agendas of each meeting, and generally lead the Commission. The Chairperson will serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
• Vice-Chairperson: The Vice-Chairperson will support the Chairperson as assigned by the Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson will take over all responsibilities of the Chairperson in the Chairperson’s absence. The Vice-Chairperson will serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
• Secretary: The Secretary will call roll at all meetings, as well as be responsible for all formal correspondence regarding the Commission. The Secretary will serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
• Treasurer: The Treasurer will be responsible for reporting on all expenditures of the Commission and any monies that are earned or donated to the Commission. The Treasurer will provide a financial report at every meeting and serve as a member of the Executive Committee

Adult Advisors

There will be three adult members of the Commission appointed under the title of "Adult Advisor”. It is the responsibility of the Adult Advisors to support and encourage the Youth Commission from an advisory capacity and provide assistance to the Commission. Adult Advisors are expected to attend all Youth Commission meetings and events and act as an adult liaison to at least one Youth Commission committee.

Article V: Meetings

The Brentwood Youth Commission will have regular monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. In the event of an emergency or other circumstance whereby the council chamber may not be available for any meetings, then the meetings may be held in any other location in the City of Brentwood after written notice setting forth the address of the meeting place has been provided in accordance with the requirements of the Brown Act. The Commission will establish a meeting calendar for each year in December of the previous year.

Prior to the yearly July meeting, an orientation workshop will be held to train new and returning members on the practices of the Youth Commission. A majority (50% + 1) of Commission members will be required to conduct a regular meeting and take action on agenda items.

All meetings of the Youth Commission shall be open and public and shall, in all respects, follow the Brown Act (Government Code Sections 54950 et. Seq.) All meetings will follow parliamentary procedures.

Regular attendance of Commissioners and Advisors is necessary for a successful Youth Commission; therefore if any Commissioner or Advisor has more than two consecutive unexcused absences, that individual may be asked to leave the Commission. If a Commission member is unable to attend a meeting they will notify the Parks and Recreation Department. Reasons that are acceptable for missing meetings are: extra-curricular practice, school needs with parent note, illness, death in the family, or family vacation.

Article VI: Amendments to Bylaws

The By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Commission, with the final approval to be by the City Council.

Article VII: Committees

Committees shall be formed to accomplish the purpose and goals of the Commission. Each member of the Commission shall participate in at least one committee during their tenure with the Commission. The Chairperson may make an appointment to a committee if there are no volunteers.

A member of the Youth Commission shall chair all committees. The remaining members of the committee may be Commission members or Youth Committee members.

Standing Committees

The following committees shall be appointed annually.

The Executive Committee
This committee will be comprised of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. This committee will be responsible for making all appointment recommendations to the Commission. This committee will also act as the liaison between the Commission and the Brentwood City Council.