Youth Link Board Youth Application

The City of Bellevue’s Youth Link Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for YOUTH board members for the 2022-2024 term.

The purpose of the Youth Link Board of Directors is to promote diversity, unity, and equity for high school youth in Bellevue and represent the youth voice to leadership in our community. Bellevue Youth Link Board is a catalyst for responding to the interests and concerns of young people by engaging the entire community. Youth Link Board of Directors envisions Bellevue as a city where all young people are:

Involved
Valued
Respected
Listened to
Feel safe
Are safe
Can have fun!

The Youth Link Board is an advisory Board to the City Manager, City Council and has a close working relationship with the Bellevue School District Board. The impact of the Board is to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community.

The Board is comprised of a minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 local high school youth AND 6 adult members from diverse backgrounds (including, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, abilities, nationality, sexual orientation, and/or socio-economic). Within the youth members, preferred preferences will be given to:

Two spots for Bellevue High School Students
Two spots for Sammamish High School Students
One spot for Big Picture and/or International
Two spots for Private, Homeschool, or other Learning Communities

We are currently looking to fill up to 6 youth position vacancies for a 2-year term (2022-2024). All levels of experience are welcomed, previous experience is not necessary. For any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our staff at YouthLink@bellevuewa.gov.

Thank you for your interest in the Youth Link Board. We appreciate your time and dedication to this application process.

For your information, we have listed the next steps in this process:

Application deadline: Friday, August 5, 2022
Interviews: TBD

This process relies on the availability of several individuals and other processes to complete the YouthLink Board member selection. We will do our best to notify all applicants as soon as possible of updates to the calendar.

Youth link and Bellevue School District logos

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

Race or Ethnicity (optional)

Gender Identification (optional)

School

Grade for 2022-2023

Cell Phone

Address

City

State

ZIP

For this application: Race is defined as a social construction attributed to a person’s physical characteristics. Ethnicity is defined as group identification based on similarities such as ancestry, language, history, culture, or nation.

Leadership Experience

Please describe all your leadership experiences. We define “Leadership” as any action, opportunity, or lived event which has allowed you to demonstrate actions, knowledge, skills or practices related to working well with others; supporting a cause; advocating for others; giving or taking directions/instructions; assuming responsibility; keeping commitments; volunteering; standing up for something or someone; etc.

Interest Question

Please tell us why you are interested in becoming a Youth Link Board Member. This may include – what you have heard or know about the Youth Link Board; lived experiences; a unique perspective you feel you could bring; or possible experiences you would like to have as a member of the Board.

Professional Experience

Please describe any area(s) of expertise or skill sets that may contribute to your role as a Youth Link Board Member, such as mentoring, teaching, coaching, previous board memberships, marketing, fundraising, or program development professional experience, legal work, etc.

Personal Question

Please tell us about yourself. This may include: personal or family background; future goals or aspirations; what is your personality; values that are important to you; what are the important things in life; etc.

Youth Link Board Requirements

To be considered for the Youth Link Board you must meet the requirements and commit to the obligations listed below. If you are unable to meet one or more of these requirements or obligations, you may still be considered for a Youth Link Board position, please tell us why you may not meet the requirements or obligations in the space provided.

Requirements:

Attend a local high school (public or private)
High school age youth (up to age 21)
Have participated in some form of leadership such as, but not limited to: a job, school clubs, sports,babysitting younger siblings, advocacy, community involvement, attended leadership conferences, etc.

Obligations:

Attend the Youth Link Board Member Orientation
Attend the Annual Youth Link Board Retreat
Attend 2 meetings per month from September to June (on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday) at different locations throughout the City of Bellevue (includes community centers and high schools)
Notify via phone or email at least 24 hours prior to an absence from a meeting, unless it is due to an emergency
Participate as a representative or liaison to community organizations as needed
Attend the Annual Youth Link Board Gumbo Night, from 5-7 p.m. (usually in March)
Attend the Annual Community Leadership Awards Ceremony, from 6-8 p.m. (usually in May)
Act as a representative of the Youth Link Board at public events and in the community as needed

If there’s something that may prevent you from meeting the requirements or obligations previously listed, please tell us why?

Agreement

I have read and meet the requirements to apply for a Youth Link Board position. Furthermore, I have read and understand the obligations expected of me, if I am selected as a Youth Link Board member. I agree to those obligations and to uphold this commitment to best of my abilities.

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