This article shall be known as "Article III, Manchester Youth Commission."
The purpose and intent of this article is to establish an independent Youth Commission to advise the Board of Directors, to increase communication between adults and youth, to ensure that the youth in the community are an integral part of government decisionmaking in Manchester, and to foster and encourage civic and neighborhood pride and a sense of identity through knowledge, understanding, and increased involvement of Manchester's youth in present and future municipal affairs.
The duties of the Youth Commissioners shall be relative to the issues important to the Board of Directors, the Town and to the youth of Manchester. Each year the Youth Commission, in consultation with the Board of Directors, staff, youth and other community leaders will develop a working agenda that will best serve Manchester youth and the community. Duties may include:
A. Serve as a catalyst organization to identify and promote youth issues.
B. Foster greater involvement of youth in municipal government.
C. Prepare for leadership through appropriate training, schedule attendance of one or more of its members at training conferences, sessions, and retreats at any time during the year as approved by the General Manager and appropriated by the Board of Directors.
D. Propose policy recommendations and priorities to the Board of Directors to improve the lives of Manchester's youth.
E. Review municipal matters referred to the Commission by the Board of Directors or other Town boards, committees, or commissions and make appropriate recommendations on those matters.
F. Monitor and measure the effectiveness of municipal youth programs, projects and policies of the Town of Manchester.
G. Partner with other governmental agencies, neighborhood and community organizations to hold forums on problems, activities and concerns of youth, as the Commission deems desirable.
H. Participate with other Town boards, commissions and committees in the planning of youth-oriented projects and building facilities upon request by the Board of Directors.
I. Manage the use of grant and other funds appropriated to the Commission by the Board of Directors for the support and encouragement of youth-led initiatives.
The Youth Commission shall publish an annual report of its activities, recommendations and accomplishments, to be presented in June of each year to the Board of Directors and publicly distributed.