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Richmond youth council teaching leadership skills By
Jennifer Pinnock
Leadership skills and service are the top two priorities for the Richmond City Youth Council. The Youth Council consists of boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 18 who want to get involved in the community, according to Janice Swendsen, Youth Council adviser. Camie Thomson, 18, has been a member of the Youth Council for four years. She said that she joined because she thought it would be fun to do something in the community. Swendsen said the council has three officers. The council votes to elect a mayor, a recorder, and a historian at the first of each year. "I let the kids run the council because it is a good learning process," said Swendsen. "However, I am there to advise and help out." Although there are three elected officials, Swendsen said that the council is often divided into committees and given a leader to plan an aspect of a big event. This way all members get a chance to learn leadership said Swendsen. "Kids who learn how to be leaders as youth are so much more prepared to take on responsibilities as adults," said Swendsen. Thomson, who was formerly the mayor, said that in her years as a member and officer of Youth Council she has learned how to plan events and assign responsibility. "I am a shy person," said Thomson. "Youth Council has helped me learn how to be a leader and get up in front of people." Swendsen said the council also does service in the community. Thomson said because of Youth Council she is more open to service than she used to be. Thomson's favorite service project was last year when the council repainted the NC (which stands for North Cache) on the top of a mountain in Richmond. The NC has been on the mountain for years and was fading. The group had to get bricks and paint up the mountain to complete this project. Thomson said she never realized how hard this project was going to be. Although it was frustrating, it was also fun. "I like service," said Thomson. "You always get back more than you put in." Service projects this year include hosting a New Year's Day party for the entire city and making and delivering valentines to the elderly people. Many more acts of service will be performed throughout the rest of the year, according to Swendsen. The Youth Council meets once a month, but does not make any decisions concerning city government, said Swendsen. However, they do distribute fliers for the Richmond City Council at election time and help with county surveys.
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