Become a student representative to city committees

COEUR d'ALENE - In 2000, the Coeur d'Alene City Council passed an ordinance allowing youth representation on city boards, commissions, and committees. Service on these boards gives high school students, who are roughly between the ages of 14 and 18, an unprecedented opportunity to learn about city government, special projects, and to become involved in the Coeur d'Alene community.

Committees on which you might possibly serve are: Arts Commission, Cd'A TV Committee, Parking Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission, Child Care Commission, Natural Open Space Committee and Urban Forestry Committee. Students may serve as an advisory member to the Planning Commission.

A question often asked is: What is the time commitment for a student representative?

It depends on the board, commission, or committee, but for the most part, city boards meet once a month, for not much longer than an hour or two. The biggest exception is the Planning Commission which meets two or more times a month, and often for much longer than one hour. Furthermore, the CdA-TV Committee and the Urban Forestry Committee meet in the morning, so be sure your school schedule can be accommodating.

Students who demonstrate an interest to continue serving on their respective committees may be considered for reappointment at the end of the school year.

"When young people serve their community, everybody wins. Our committees gain fresh ideas from young minds, the students learn about the many volunteers who make Coeur d'Alene a 'City of Excellence,' and we all have an opportunity to meet our next generation of leaders," said Mayor Sandi Bloem, adding, "I appreciate the commitment of the students and their time."

Info: Call Victoria Bruno at 769-2204 for an application or print one out online at http://www.cdaid.org/mod/userpage/images/StudentDataSheet.pdf

To find out more about an individual board/commission/committee, visit the city's website and click on the individual board or its agenda. You may also email [email protected] for information or an application. Please mail in or drop off applications to city hall by June 1 - and be sure to include at least one letter of recommendation.