Teen Council

The Overland Park Teen Council is a program that allows high school students to get an inside look at local government.

Over the course of the school year, students will learn about different city departments, attend committee meetings, participate in and lead service projects, and form relationships with their elected leaders.

In doing so, students will become more knowledgeable about local government and gain invaluable leadership skills.

Activities

Teen Council members meet one or two times a month, as the schedule varies year-to-year. Each year, students meet for the following activities:

• Public Safety learning session
• Parks and Recreation learning session
• Public Works learning session
• Planning and Development services learning session
• Municipal Court learning session
• Small group meetings and dinner with council members
• Council meeting and council committee meetings
• Service projects

Meetings are typically in the late afternoon, evening, or on weekends.

Eligibility

To participate, students must attend an Overland Park high school, and be able to attend all Teen Council activities.

Leadership Positions

Teens who have completed at least one year of the Teen Council program are eligible to apply for youth liaison positions on one of three City committees:

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee;
• Environmental Advisory Committee;
• Legacy of Greenery Committee.

Youth liaisons are encouraged to provide input on all topics related to the council or committee they serve, but are not voting members.

Teens who have completed at least one year of the Teen Council are also eligible to serve as the Teen Council president.

2020-2021 Program

While the ongoing public health situation has cast some uncertainty on the 2020-2021 school year, the City sees value in continuing Teen Council as an opportunity for students to continue to engage with their community as an extracurricular activity. Teen Council will continue.

It is our expectation that many meetings will be held virtually. When we are able to meet in-person in a safe and distanced fashion, we will do so.

Application

Applications for the 2020-2021 Teen Council program are open.

The application process includes three parts: the application form, a letter of recommendation, and an interview.

Students must fill out the form linked below and upload a letter of recommendation from a manager, coach, teacher, professor or other adult mentor. Letters of recommendation should not be written by relatives, peers or other teen council members.

Interviews

Students selected for interviews will be notified shortly after applications close. Interviews will take place in the afternoon and evening the week of September 14.

Apply by September 14 to be considered.

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