Village of Northbrook Youth Commission met April 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
Adult Commissioners Present (5)
Carla Slawson-Martens, Chairperson
Jennifer Saperstein
Emmeline Hazaray
Jodie Dinelli
Amy Oberholtzer
Student Commissioners Present (8)
Hannah Karlin
Benjamin Fliman
Neil Moghe
Prajnaa Bangalore Mahaveer Jain
Samuel Shin
Danny Brodson
Ari Meyers
Marco Bosacoma
Adult/Student Commissioners Absent (10)
Joshua Yang
Kelli Christenson
Brandon Mankoff
Joey Martens
David Whitlock
Jackson Mayer
Carly Uhlig
Daniel Kim
Adam Berkowitz
Samantha Bellman
Village Staff Present (1)
Madeline Farrell, Staff Liaison
1. Call to Order
Student Chair Volunteer
Chairwoman Slawson-Martens recruited a Student Chair, and at 7:05 p.m., Commissioner Fliman called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Chairwoman Slawson-Martens moved, seconded by Commissioner Bangalore Mahaveer Jain, to approve the Youth Commission regular meeting minutes of March 20, 2019, as amended. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
3. Hear from the Audience
There was no one present from the audience.
4. Follow up on Wellness Forum, Part 2: Mindfulness
Staff Liaison Farrell showed the survey monkey results on the screen. The Commission reviewed the questions and feedback. Commissioner Bosacoma commented that Justin Weiner had positive feedback on the forum. Some Commissioners said that they had difficulty hearing the presenters from the back of the auditorium.
Commissioner Shin mentioned that the forum could have been more interactive. The Commission discussed how the number of panelists and the room did not naturally lead to interaction. The Commission discussed how mindfulness and calming activities are not necessarily interactive.
The Commission agreed they would like to see the results of the survey response “I would like to see future youth forums address these topics” compared to whether the respondent was an adult or student. The Commission discussed the college selection process and resources available at the high schools, and the role of the Youth Commission in helping students through the process. The Commission discussed the balance of preparing for college without starting to stress too soon. Chairwoman Slawson-Martens suggested that a general college forum with previous GBN students could be beneficial to the community. Commissioner Oberholtzer said that her organization reached out to GBN about hosting a forum with previous students as panelists and they were not interested. The Commission discussed the differences between a college forum and academic wellness. Commissioner Bangalore Mahaveer Jain suggested an “Advice to My High School Self” as a future panel.
Commissioner Oberholtzer asked whether we should discuss the lack of attendees at the forum. Commissioner Saperstein wondered if low attendance was due to a lack of extra credit offered by teachers. Commissioner Fliman debated whether we wanted attendees that come simply for extra credit. The Commission discussed the methods of promotion (two ads, banner, and flyers). Commissioner Bangalore Mahaveer Jain suggested posting the next forum on local mom community groups. Commissioners Moghe and Bosacoma expressed that their friends were just not interested in the topic.
5. Select presenters for Board presentations
Commissioners Karlin, Bangalore Mahaveer Jain, and Brodson volunteered to present at the Village Board meeting on May 28 around 7:30pm.
Commissioners Shin, Moghe, and Bosacoma volunteered to present at the School Board meeting on May 20around 7pm.
6. Planning/Discussion/Action Items – Part 3: Relationships
Donna Baptiste was unavailable for the conference call as planned, but Commissioner Bosacoma spoke very highly of his experience meeting her last year. Chairwoman Slawson-Martens had the opportunity to talk to Donna Baptiste on Tuesday, April 16. Donna Baptiste asked for 5-7 words that describe what the Youth Commission is looking for at the next forum. During conversation, the Commission came up with the following words: interactive, discussion/dialogue, and data/expertise (teaching moments).
Ms. Baptiste suggested a fish bowl format. Chairwoman Slawson-Martens described a fish bowl format as separating the group into parents and students and having one group “watch” the other have a conversation then switch. Ms. Baptiste also commented that the family relationship is the foundation for every other relationship in one’s life. She suggested keeping the family relationship as the core of the conversation. Ms. Baptiste is going to provide a detailed outline for the Commission to review on Monday.
The Commission discussed the draft flyer and decided to hold off on creating a flyer until we receive Ms. Baptiste’s outline. The Commission also discussed how the word “relationships” is potentially very misleading. The Commission discussed that perhaps “connectedness”, “connectivity”, or “happiness” are more appropriate. Commissioner Saperstein suggested asking Ms. Baptiste for a title.
Commissioner Meyers suggested a banner over the Pollak Room doors. The Commission discussed offering refreshments to attendees. Commissioners Brodson, Fliman, and Meyers volunteered to form the ‘Refreshment Committee’. Chairwoman Slawson-Martens motioned that the Commission provide a budget of up to $200 to the Refreshment Committee. Commissioner Brodson seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
The Commission decided not to pay for an ad in the newspaper for this forum. The Commission agreed to post the forum to their social media accounts once the digital flyer is available. Commissioner Bangalore Mahaveer Jain volunteered to reach out to the Torch, her peer group, and the psychology teacher.
Commissioner Bellman volunteered to post flyers at the high school.
7. General Discussion: School/Community News
Commissioner Brodson suggested promoting Youth Commission membership to younger students.
Staff Liaison Farrell informed the Commission that the Community Relations Commission (CRC) had invited the Youth Commission to host a table at the annual Welcome to Northbrook/Flamingo Friday kick-off event on May 17 from 5-7pm. Chairperson Slawson-Martens and Commissioners Bellman, Saperstein, Bosacoma, Moghe, Bangalore Mahaveer Jain, Karlin, and Hazaray said they were available to attend.
The Commission discussed Commissioner Bosacoma’s gymnastics success as well as Commissioner Brodson’s success in DECA.
The Commission decided to postpone the application for the 4th 1 of July Parade until the next meeting.
The Commission discussed moving the next meeting from May 15 to May 22. Commissioner Brodson made a motion. Commissioner Bellman seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Meyers left at 8:28pm. Commissioner Karlin left at 8:30pm.
8. Next (and Final) Meeting: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
The Commission expressed an interest in Lou Malnatis for the final meeting.
Commissioner Bangalore Mahaveer Jain expressed an interest in a short leadership workshop. The Commission agreed 15-minutes would be adequate.
Commissioner Brodson questioned why a Youth Commission scholarship does not exist. The Commission discussed the possibility of partnering with a grant giving organization such as Civic or American Legion to offer a scholarship to a Youth Commission.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Bosacoma moved, seconded by Commissioner Bellman to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously
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