The Lacey Youth Council (LYC) is an important way for Lacey-area high school students to serve their community and help guide the discussions of Lacey government leaders on issues impacting youth. And if you are interested in volunteering as a LYC member, the city will be accepting applications starting May 1 for local qualified students seeking appointment for the 2023-2024 school year.
Why Serve on the Lacey Youth Council
“I wanted to represent my community and make a change where I could,” says current LYC council member Sarah Towne, a junior at North Thurston High School. “I wanted to see how the city runs and represent my high school.”
LYC council member Rianna Joseph, a River Ridge High School senior and LYC deputy mayor, encourages eligible Lacey area students to apply. She says she sought appointment as a way to have her voice heard. “Some people might be scared to share their opinions or experiences,” she says. “But just join. Everyone needs to be heard. Everyone speaks their truth.”
Towne agrees. “Everyone’s perspective is welcome,” she says. “Wherever you came from or wherever you are going to, we want to represent all youth in Lacey. Just try it out.”
How the Lacey Youth Council Member Selection Process Works
The Lacey City Council established the LYC as an advisory body in 2019. The LYC engages Lacey’s youth in city government and helps them become future leaders by involving them in community activities and providing opportunities for leadership, in addition to learning about local government.
Youth council members represent North Thurston, River Ridge, Pope John Paul II, Timberline, and Northwest Christian high schools; Envision Career Academy; and Lacey-area home school students at the high school level. “We want homeschooled students to be aware that this is also available to them,” says Sadie Siglin, management analyst in the City Manager’s Department and LYC coordinator.
Lacey students enrolled in those schools and programs who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors in the 2023-2024 school year can apply. The advisory body has 15 members, with seven spots designated for juniors and seniors. Members are appointed for school-year terms September through June. Students can reapply and are eligible to serve three terms.
Recruitment opens May 1. By June 30, students need to submit the application form that will be posted on the LYC webpage. After interviews this summer, the city council will appoint the youth council in August.
What It’s Like to Volunteer on the Lacey Youth Council
New appointees receive an orientation, typically in August. Then, LYC members meet twice monthly. Some members are also selected to serve as the LYC’s mayor, deputy mayor, clerk and other LYC positions. Several LYC members are designated as youth representatives on other city boards and commissions. Both Towne and Joseph say the LYC appointment does require organizational skills in managing their schedules of classes and school activities in addition to the council meetings, but it’s an effort that pays off. “It’s definitely an experience worth doing,” says Towne.
“You need to make it a priority,” adds Joseph, who had also served last year as the LYC representative to the city’s Commission on Equity, which means she attended more city meetings. “You need to delegate time to do it.”
At each LYC meeting, council members learn about local government and/or discuss their perspectives on issues facing the city, and report to city officials. A few examples include, overviewing the City’s website and discussing accessibility, discussing ways to improve outreach and engagement with community youth, and a survey on whether North Thurston High School students feel safe in the greater community.
Siglin says the LYC is treated the same as other city advisory boards and commissions with respect to the city seeking and receiving feedback. “They have direct access to city staff and council members that most youth don’t have,” she explains. “We get good feedback about the youths’ participation. They have great things to say. It’s exciting to provide this platform.”
Siglin says LYC members also engage in activities that show how a city operates, such as doing a mock city budget. Joseph says one thing she has learned is the amount of time it can take to implement programs or ideas at the city level. “I was surprised at how long it takes for things to get carried out, with the discussion and approval,” she says.
Lacey Youth Council Recruitment is Open May 1 Through June 30
The online application form and other information for students to seek LYC appointment or reappointment will be posted by May 1 on this webpage. The deadline is June 30.
The Lacey Youth Council will staff a booth at the Lacey Spring Fun Fair at Saint Martin’s University on May 20-21 to provide information and answer questions. And interested students can also contact Siglin in the City Manager’s Department for more details about the youth council or appointment process.
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