Convener: Kai Degner, Mary Kahwajy-Baron
Scribe: Michael Harnish
RM. 209 Saturday 11 AM
Attendees: Mary Kahwajy-Baron, Becky Johnston, Bruce Lundeen, Josh Davis, Kai Degner, Abby Motley, Brent Campbell, Greg Czyszczon, Heidi Miller, Kevin Chico, Ali Turner, Michael Harnish, Tonya Osinkosky, Kim Ward, Sarah MacDonald, Dany Fleming, Sue Praill, Muawia Daines, Diane Roll, Kevin Lanone
- Inspired by a conversation in another session, it became apparent that the lack of youth represented at a Summit on Youth leaves out a valuable voice. Thus, a Summit must be designed to hear the voices of Harrisonburg youth.
Summit
1. Planning- a group of youth leaders must be formed to help formulate and plan the actual Summit.
2. That group could survey the youth and get a feel for a good theme.
3. Train youth to lead a summit without the input of adult leadership beyond supervision.
4. Important to create a safe space for youth to truly talk about their feelings and condition.
5. Research other successful summits for youth age, and use testimonies of other cities to inspire the youth of Harrisonburg such as “Bold Chicago,” a HIV clinic program started by a ninth grader.
6. Networking and Resources- Boys and Girls Club, Harrisonburg Children’s Museum, Office of Children’s Advisory, Youth Council, Student Governments, Key Clubs, Church Youth Groups, 4-H, Camp Horizons.
Challenges- Transportation, limit on numbers, energy and excitement, hearing minority instead of already voiced, relevant topics, location, permission slips, good time of year and day.
1. Kai sent around a list and people signed up to be on a committee that will commit to help and network for the Summit.
2. We all agreed that the Youth Summit should be the first summit after the interfaith summit in May.
