April 9, 2024
City accepting applications for new Junior Council
The City of Johnson City is pleased to announce the creation of the Johnson City Junior Council, an initiative aimed at promoting civic engagement among local high school students and providing City Commissioners with increased opportunities to formally hear youth perspectives on various issues.
Junior Council – or JC2 – members will learn about city government, leadership, and decision-making; build important workplace skills; and benefit from opportunities to connect with local leaders, participate in volunteer services, and share ideas/concerns about pressing topics.
“Two years ago, the City started the Gov. All. Out. program for Science Hill students, which gave Commissioners and participants a chance to learn from one another,” said Mayor Todd Fowler. “We recognized that we needed a mechanism to hear from our youth more often. These Junior Council members will play an important role in representing their peers as they work with us to make Johnson City a place where our young citizens want to live and work and remain engaged in their community.”
Rising 10th and 11th graders residing in Johnson City are invited to apply for the program; applications are due April 26. Students chosen for the Junior Council will participate in a summer Council Camp to learn about their role in the program, the function of city government, and all that the area has to offer. The camp is scheduled for two full days, July 30 and 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and one half day, Aug. 1 beginning at 1 p.m. and ending with the City Commission Meeting at 6 p.m. Participants will serve on the council for a one-year term. Meetings will be held monthly.
"This program is going to be an incredible opportunity for students to dive deeper into city government and blossom in their leadership,” said ETSU Roan Scholar Shelby Koerten.
This initiative is the result of a City partnership with the Roan Scholars Leadership Program at East Tennessee State University; a team of first-year Roan Scholars has worked closely with City officials to develop the project and will serve as coaches and peer mentors for Junior Council members this coming year.
"We are looking forward to how this initiative will tap into the talents of Johnson City's young citizens and inspire greater widespread civic engagement,” said ETSU Roan Scholar Eliza Smith.
Scott Jeffress, who leads the Roan program, added: “ETSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan is focused on community engaged learning. We wanted the Roans to truly embrace that mission by taking on initiatives that will leave a lasting impact in Johnson City. The Junior Council certainly achieves that goal and along the way our students have learned quite a bit about local government too.”
Rising sophomores and juniors in Johnson City are encouraged to be part of this inaugural council, which will meet monthly starting in August. To learn more and to apply, visit https://cojctn.wufoo.com/forms/m1x3vp5u0p4aqa6/.
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