'A Seat At The Table': Youth Voices For Walnut Creek City Commissions

Press release from the City of Walnut Creek:

WALNUT CREEK, CA — On August 2, 2022, the Walnut Creek City Council approved “A Seat at the Table”, a proposal from the Youth Leadership Commission that will test the inclusion of youth members on City Commissions. The one-year pilot program will see youth members appointed to the Arts, Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS), and Transportation Commissions.

Youth voices have been represented within the City since the 15-member Youth Leadership Commission was created in 2017 to engage the future leaders of Walnut Creek by encouraging youth to take an active leadership role in the community. Beginning in the fall of 2021, the Youth Leadership Commission worked to develop a policy project that aimed to expand youth engagement in Walnut Creek and provide additional opportunities for youth voices to be heard in local government.

Now, “A Seat at the Table” provides this new opportunity for youth to be involved, while representing their peers alongside adult commissioners on the:

• Arts Commission – established to advise the City Council on facilities, programs and policies that enhance the artistic and cultural quality of life in the City as well as the implementation of the public art program;
• Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Commission – established to advise the City Council on the direction of park, recreation, trail and open space needs, facilities and programs; and
• Transportation Commission – established to advice the City Council on all issues affecting parking and transportation including roadway operation, public transit, pedestrian, and bike infrastructure.

“This is a huge win for youth in the City of Walnut Creek!” said Seena Farhadi, Chair of the Youth Leadership Commission, “We’ve all seen the increase in youth engagement when it comes to public policy over the past few years, so ‘A Seat at the Table’ is the perfect avenue for students to gain experience in the public sector.”

Youth members will be seated in early fall, after a citywide recruitment, and will have a preferential vote on all items before the commissions. Modeled after youth member seats on some School District Boards, a preferential vote is an expression of opinion that is recorded in the minutes but does not determine the final, numerical outcome of the vote.

“We are the future,” said Jerlene Chiu, Youth Leadership Commissioner, “and I just want to make a place in Walnut Creek that we are able to support youth voices and make them heard as best as possible.”

Applications for the new youth seats are currently open through August 28, 2022, at 10:00 p.m. Passionate, engaged Walnut Creek residents in grades 9-12 are encouraged take a seat at the table and apply. More information about the selection process and a link to the application can be found on the City’s website.

This press release was produced by the City of Walnut Creek Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.