Squamish Youth Council FAQ

Are you interested in applying to the Squamish Youth Council? Take a look at our most frequently asked questions to determine if the SYC is right for you! 

If you find that you have further questions that have not been answered here, feel free to email [email protected].

 The Squamish Youth Council was created to give Youth the opportunity to engage with the Mayor, District of Squamish Council and Community Leaders. 

The goals of the Squamish Youth Council are:

  • To amplify the voice of Squamish youth in matters and projects that directly impact them.
  • To create a pipeline of youth-centered projects & programming that support Squamish Youth Strategy.
  • To plant the seeds of civic engagement mindset and skill set in Squamish Youth.
  • To connect Youth with community leaders, politicians, businesses and organizations that would like input from them.
  • To set in motion a turn-key program for future mayor & council to implement year over year.

To become a member of the Squamish Youth Council, you must submit an application form before September 15, 2023.

Once applications are closed, a selection committee will review all applications and reach out to those who have been successful.

The Squamish Youth Council is responsible for bringing forwards recommendations to Squamish Council, District of Squamish staff, and local organizations (i.e. Pride Squamish, Youth Services, OurSquamish, etc.).

On top of its' advisory role, the Squamish Youth Council also gives away a yearly grant at an event called "Bear's Den". The Youth Council is responsible of the entire process from reviewing applications, deciding on finalists, and managing a live event at which the money will be given away.

There may also be an opportunity for members to bring forward and implement personal initiatives throughout their time on Council.

 

The minimum time commitment of the Squamish Youth Council is one meeting per month ,regular but short check-ins on our communication platform, and oneYouth Voice Column in the local newspaper.

The monthly meeting happens on the first Wednesday of the month. Dinner is provided before each meeting.

An average Youth Council meeting schedule looks like:
5:45-6:15 p.m.: Dinner & social
6:15-8:30 p.m.: Meeting

Squamish Youth Council members are expected to attend 80% of the meetings. If you currently have a conflicts that make this impossible, we recommend  you refrain from applying.

  • It is expected that each Squamish Youth Council member sign a Code of Conduct and photo/media release form. 
  • Complete a 10 month term on the Squamish Youth Council.
  • With District of Squamish and partner agencies, work on initiatives that support the implementation of the Youth Strategy. 
  • Attend at least 80% of all meetings.
  • Actively participate and tangibly contribute to the meetings.
  • Share Squamish Youth Council information and updates with their networks (ie. in person, at school, social media).
  • Ensure everyone is working together and all voices in the group are heard.
  • Bus passes!
  • Certificate of completion and letter of recommendation from Mayor and/or Council if you've achieved 80% attendance!
  • SYC hoodies (each year is different and a special edition)!
  • A chance to network and meet many different influential adults and groups in the community!
  • A meal or snacks prior to each meeting!

The District of Squamish is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting an inclusive SYC that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous applicants, all genders, nationalities and persons with disabilities.

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee is a new internal committee that works to create safe spaces where all District staff are valued, seen, and heard for who they are. We are here to support you by supplying resources, organizing training, engaging in conversations, and conducting research to make the District a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive place to work. The IDEA Committee will also help implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (The Declaration) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action.

In keeping with the District of Squamish inclusive recruitment practices, the following measures will be taken:

  • Applications are available via paper and web.
  • Applications are also flexible to receive video applications rather than typed.
  • A selection committee will be appointed reflecting diverse lenses to look at applications.
  • A scoring rubric will be used to measure all applications objectively by same criteria.
  • Evaluators will assess candidates against a pre-set criteria, and will work independently before meeting for discussion once all applications have been viewed.