Hickory Youth Council 

PURPOSES

The Hickory Youth Council provides 9^th – 12^th grade youth the opportunity to come together to learn leadership skills, to gain knowledge of how local government operates, and to serve in an advisory capacity to the Hickory City Council on issues of interest to Hickory youth.

To serve as a line of communication between youth and adults and among youth themselves.

To establish a partnership with the National League of Cities and participate in youth council agenda projects.

COMPOSITION

The Hickory Youth Council will consist of 19 members as follows—one (1) representative from each of the four classes (9 – 12) at Hickory High School and St. Stephens High School and three at-large members from Hickory High and two at-large members from St. Stephens High.  In addition, there will be one home-schooled member (high school equivalent), one private school member, one Fred T. Foard student living in the City limits, one Catawba Valley High School student and the two Community Relations Council members who represent Hickory High School. Students interested in serving will submit an application (application provided by the City) to their high school principal/home school association who will then nominate students to the Hickory City Council for a one-year term on the Hickory Youth Council.  The Hickory City Council will make final appointments in September of each year.  Youth Council members may be reappointed to the Youth Council for an unlimited number of terms.  The membership of the Youth Council should be reflective of Hickory’s diverse population.

Three representatives of the Hickory Youth Council will be appointed to serve as voting members of the City of Hickory’s Library Board (1 youth member), Public Art Commission (1 youth member), and Parks & Recreation Commission (1 youth member), Waste Reduction Task Force (1 youth member), and the Community Appearance Commission (1 youth member).

The other members of the Hickory Youth Council will attend and participate on other City Council-appointed boards/commissions, according to interest.  They will not have voting privileges.  

MEETING DATES

The Youth Council meets on the second Tuesday of every month (September – May) at 7 p.m. at City Hall, unless otherwise noted.