Section I. Membership
a. Representation: The Youth Council shall seek in its membership a diverse representation reflecting the community. A total of no more than fifteen members will serve on the council. Members will be selected with sensitivity toward gender, race, and geographic area represented.
b. Membership Qualifications: 13-18 years old - 7th-12th grade
c. Term Limits: Terms will be limited to no less than one year. Members may serve up to five terms provided they remain within the age limits of the membership qualifications.
d. Attendance: Attendance at regular Youth Council meetings is expected from all members. Anyone unable to attend a meeting must contact an officer in order for his/her absence to be deemed excused. Three unexcused absences by a council member will result in a contact from an officer to notify dismissal from the Youth Council.

Section II. Application Process
Members of the Youth Council shall be chosen through an application process. Interested parties shall complete a simple application form. A designated interview committee, who will follow membership guidelines, shall select members.

Section III. Officers
The officers of the Youth Council shall be a President, Vice-President, and Secretary.

Section IV. Officer Duties
The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
1. President
a. The President shall be charged with the administration of the affairs of the Youth Council with assistance from the Youth Director, an Adult Advisor, or a City Council Member.
b. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Youth Council.
c. The President shall appoint committees when necessary to research issues.
2. Vice President
a. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President during the President's absence.
b. The Vice President shall assist the President to perform duties when needed.
c. The Vice President shall prepare an annual report with assistance from the Youth Director, City Council Member liaison or an Adult Advisor as of December 31, summarizing the activities of the Council.
3. Secretary
a. The Secretary shall record and maintain the minutes of all Youth Council meetings and file them with the Youth Director copies of previous minutes.
b. The Secretary shall prepare and receive correspondence for the Youth Council and maintain proper files.
c. The Secretary shall perform other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office.

Section V. Elections of Officers:
The officers of the Youth Council shall be elected annually.
The officers of the Youth Council shall be elected by a majority vote of the voting members present.

Section VI. Meetings:
The annual organizational meeting of the Youth Council shall be held as soon as practicable by majority consensus after appointments have been made.
The order of the annual meeting shall include reading of the roll call, minutes of the previous meeting, officer's reports, establish time and frequency of regular meetings. (Meetings will be held at least once a month).
The Youth Director or the president may call special meetings of the Youth Council with at least 48 hours notice. The call shall state the subject matter to be considered at the meeting and considerations shall be limited.

Section VII. General Rules:
All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
The presence of a majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is necessary to transact official business at any meeting.
All recommendations to the City Council must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present at any properly called meeting.
All voting on matters for transmittal to the City Council shall be by roll call vote.
From time to time, the Youth Council may initiate or carry out activities addressing community concerns they deem relevant and important.
Additions to the agenda, as prepared by the President, may be made by a majority vote of the Youth Commission at any meeting.

SectionVII. Role of City Council:
The City Council shall communicate upcoming issues to the Youth Council, so they may respond accordingly.
The City Council shall maintain the responsibility to educate the Youth Council on how city government operates.
The City Council shall appoint a City Council Member as a liaison to the Youth Council.
The City Council shall provide support staff to the Youth Council to assist the Council in carrying out its duties.

Section IX. By-laws and Amendments:
These by-laws may be amended at an regular stated meeting provided two-thirds of the members of the Youth Council approve the amendment in a roll call vote, providing further that the amendment is part of the agenda for the meeting and the membership has been notified in writing.
By-laws and amendments must be approved by the City Council in order to take effect.


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