Calling All Teenagers Youth Advisory Council Holds Initial Meeting July 6 By Mike Shands Watauga County teens wishing to give themselves a voice in the community should mark Thursday, July 6 on their calendars. That’s when the newly formed Youth Advisory Council will hold its first meeting at the Watauga County Public Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The council will consist of teens and be run by teens. They will determine the issues that they wish to address, and the council will give them an outlet for communicating their needs and concerns to local decision and policy makers. The idea to form the council was one of several initiatives that came out of the 2006 Watauga County Summit on Youth that was held June 19. “We’re just keeping the ball rolling before it slows down too much,” said Bobby Dziewulski, an adult liaison volunteer with the council. “The individuals that do come will be instrumental in planning the future of this organization. We haven’t figured out the issues yet – that’s why we want the teens involved. With this first meeting we’re just trying to set up and get a feel for what’s out there. “It’s a good opportunity for these teens to be heard.” Another adult liaison with the council is Dusty Teng, an Americorp Promise Fellow with the Western Youth Network. “We want the kids to be the ones speaking and the voices heard,” she said. “We’re just working behind the scenes to offer guidance. “We’re having youth get together and assessing what their needs are and working with adults on how to implement those ideas. “We’ll be showing them the process of appealing to the county commissioners and showing them how to get things done. She said that anyone between the ages of 13 and 19 is welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting. Those who do attend will have a say in the council’s size and how it will operate. “The youth we talked to at the Summit on Youth seemed really encouraged by the idea of this group having a voice instead of adults deciding what they need,” Teng said. “We think they (teens) should be a part of the decision-making process.” Some of the issues of concern expressed by teens who attended the Summit on Youth included a potential youth center and the future of Watauga High School. Both Teng and Dziewulski stressed that they hope a wide cross section of teens attend the meeting. “We really want to hear the voices of everyone that’s interested,” Dziewulski said. “We want them to be from diverse backgrounds and not just one specific population. It may be teens that are not always given the chance to be heard and make a difference.” The meeting will also feature free refreshments. For more information about the Youth Advisory Council call Teng at WYN at (828) 264-5174 or send an e-mail to tengd@westernyouthnetwork.org or send an e-mail to Dziewulski at dziewulskir@gmail.com.