Sp13-april 22, 2009

YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, April 22, 2009, commencing at 7:07 p.m. at the Salmon River Committee Room th 4 Floor, 20338 – 65 Avenue, Langley, BC

MINUTES

Present: Chair: Tina Ma, Aldergrove Secondary School Aldergrove Community Secondary: Tina Ma Langley Fine Arts: Alex Holmes and Andhra Azevedo Langley Christian School: Gerrit DeVynck and Adele Van Wyk Langley Fundamental Middle School: Matthew Lassam Langley Secondary School: Catherine Thompson RE Mountain Secondary: Julie Choi and Linh Phan Walnut Grove Secondary: Peter Horton and Paige Strand Council Representative: Councillor Richter School Board Representative: R. McFarlane Staff: L. Visser, S. Eby, S. Carneiro and V. Keffer In attendance: P. Openshaw and S. Dubas A.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1.

Youth Advisory Committee April 22, 2009 Moved by C. Thompson, Seconded by A. Holmes That the Youth Advisory Committee adopt the Agenda of the April 22, 2009 meeting. CARRIED

April 22, 2009 Youth Advisory Committee Minutes B.

-2-

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.

Youth Advisory Committee March 25, 2009 Moved by A. Van Wyk, Seconded by C. Thompson, That the Youth Advisory Committee adopt the Minutes of the March 25, 2009 meeting. CARRIED

C.

DELEGATIONS

D.

PRESENTATIONS 1.

Council Update Councillor Richter informed the members that besides being a Councillor for the Township of Langley she teaches at the Kwantlen University and is also on the Board of Governors at the University. Education: Councillor Richter noted that as per the Luminaire Report, 55% of students had a post secondary degree or diploma compared to 39% in the USA. Langley Events Centre: The Langley Events Centre opened on Friday, last week and the first event held was the 2009 BC Gymnastics Championships. Municipal Awareness Day: On April 23, 2009 the Township is hosting Municipal Awareness Day. It is an event to raise awareness of the services provided by the Township of Langley. There will be approximately 1,800 elementary school students participating in the event this year. Aldergrove Planning Committee: Council endorsed the Terms of Reference of the Aldergrove Planning Committee. Advertisements for membership application will be published in the local newspapers shortly. Councillor Richter stated that she would like the youth to be involved in this committee and requested them to take this message back to their schools. Workers Day of Mourning: April 28, 2009 is Workers Day of Mourning in memory of workers killed or injured at the workplace. On this day the workers renew their pledge to make the workplace safer. May Day Parade: The May Day Parade will take place on May 18, 2009 and will begin at 10:30 a.m. The parade will end at Fort Langley. If any of the youth are interested in participating in the parade along with Mayor and Council, contact L. Visser [email protected].

April 22, 2009 Youth Advisory Committee Minutes D.

-3-

PRESENTATIONS Tax Increase: Council approved a 5% tax increase for this year. Councillor Richter welcomed R. McFarlane from the Langley School Board to the committee. 2.

Langley’s International Festival S. Dubas, Executive Director, Langley’s International Festival reported that the festival is in its 8th year. This year the festival will be held on August 7, 8 and 9, 2009. Most of the events will take place at Douglas Park. One of the new initiatives taking place this year is an international parade through the streets of Langley. S. Dubas is looking for volunteers to help at the event. Copies of the poster will be made available to members to be displayed at their schools, shortly. On July 11, 2009 there will be an international soccer tournament at the new Willoughby Community Park as part of the festival.

2.

Youth Employment Zone P. Openshaw, Employment Facilitator, Youth Employment Zone explained that they provide services to the unemployed youth between the ages of 15 to 30 years of age. Some of the services offered are helping in the preparation of resumes, references and cover letter. Their councillors are well qualified and have a 94% success rate in finding people employment.

E.

REPORTS (VERBAL) 1.

Recreation Update – Stephanie Eby S. Eby distributed posters for Youth Week that will be held from May 1-7, 2009. She reported that events will be hosted at all the recreation centres during the week. A poster of the Recreation programs was circulated at the meeting to be displayed at the schools. The official opening of the Willoughby Community Centre is June 13, 2009. S. Eby reported that she is looking for 4 volunteers from the committee to help at the multi-media room, to do a 2 hour shift each in pairs. Committee members interested in volunteering contact L. Visser at [email protected].

2.

Diversity Forum C. Thompson along with 4 other members of the Advisory Committee attended the Diversity Forum. The participants exchanged ideas on diversity and learned about different cultures and nationalities.

April 22, 2009 Youth Advisory Committee Minutes E.

-4-

REPORTS (VERBAL) 3.

Volunteer Awards Evening P. Horton reported that he attended the Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Dinner and was the co-host for the event along with Mayor Green. The evening was very well organized and was held at the George Preston Recreation Centre. The following were the awards presented: - John and Muriel Arnason Award - Mario and Marilyn Sergi; - Eric Flowerdew Award - Dan Gosse; and - Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award - Kevin Mirchandani.

4.

Youth Event Planning Update J. Choi reported that she, S. Kumhyr and A. Williams are working on the design of the posters that will be going out to schools. The three versions of the poster were circulated to members of the committee and they were requested to choose their preferred design. The committee are trying to get sponsorship from Tom Lee for the battle of the bands and Mark Luongo, a musician, has agreed to be one of the judges. The students are responsible for their own art work at the exhibition. The program will end at 8:00 p.m. and J. Choi requested volunteers to help with the clean-up. A. Williams will have details of the event posted on the Township website.

5.

Aldergrove Task Force T. Ma reported that one of the aims of the Aldergrove Task Force is to have increased youth participation. One suggestion was a community created mural on a building on the Fraser Hwy which may include flags of different countries displayed. There was some discussion on various programs for youth. If any of the members of the committee would like to participate on the Aldergrove Planning Committee, contact L. Visser.

6.

SD 35 Report R. McFarlane explained that 7 people have been elected as school trustees and are responsible for the overall running of schools in the Langley area. The main focus of the School Board is to encourage students to get a post secondary degree or trades diploma. Currently the School District is going through their budget process.

April 22, 2009 Youth Advisory Committee Minutes E.

-5-

REPORTS (VERBAL) 7.

Langley Events Centre M. Lassam reported that last week he along with members of the Youth Advisory Committee went on a tour to the Langley Events Centre. He noted that it was a huge facility and every bit of the project was very well planned. Since many of the members of the committee could not participate in the tour due to school work, L. Visser informed them that a private tour will be arranged.

F.

REPORTS (WRITTEN)

G.

CORRESPONDENCE 1.

Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth Led Development Application Forms Available L. Visser that the ‘Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development’ will give grants up to $5,000 and larger grants of $25,000 are available to organizations led by young people, aged 15 to 32 years. If any of the members are interested, contact L. Visser.

H.

2009 WORK PROGRAM

I.

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS AND REFERRALS

J.

COMMITTEE UPDATES 1.

Heritage Advisory Committee P. Horton reported that he attended the last meeting and the main focus was on election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the committee.

2.

Community Safety Advisory Committee P. Strand and P. Horton attended the Community Safety Commission meeting and there was a presentation on Youth Safety.

3.

Economic Development Advisory Committee K. Tsai reported that the Economic Development Advisory Committee met on April 1, 2009 and had discussions regarding the 2009 Work Plan.

4.

Recreation, Culture, and Parks Commission No report

April 22, 2009 Youth Advisory Committee Minutes J.

-6-

COMMITTEE UPDATES 5.

Langley Walk No report

K.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

L.

OTHER BUSINESS 1.

Youth Advisory Committee Summer Availability L. Visser informed the committee that next month will be the last meeting and, therefore, asked the members to let her know if they are interested in volunteering for various events during summer.

2.

Final Meeting – May Meeting Wrap-Up L. Visser requested the members consider ideas for a wrap-up event.

3.

Spirit of BC Spirit of BC is organizing a Volunteer Fair on April 23, 2009 between 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Langley Community Music School.

4.

Arbour Day Arbour Day will take place on April 26, 2009 and every year the Youth Advisory Committee plants a tree on behalf of its members. If any of the members would like to take part in this event to contact L. Visser. Moved by A. Holmes, Seconded by P. Strand, That the Youth Advisory Committee plant a tree on behalf of the Youth Advisory Committee on Arbour Day. CARRIED

M.

ROUND TABLE 1.

T. Ma reported that her school is raising money for kids with cancer and have organized a competition between the elementary schools to gets the community involved.

2.

M. Lassam reported that Langley Fundamental School organized a 30 hour famine. Their Annual film festival will take place on May 21, 2009.

3.

P. Horton and P. Strand reported that the Walnut Grove Secondary School is organizing a musical concert on May 15 and 16, 2009 and the script has been written in house. Students will also be participating in the 30 hour famine.

April 22, 2009 Youth Advisory Committee Minutes M.

N.

ROUND TABLE

4.

G. DeVynck and A. Van Vyk reported that this is the busiest period at the Langley Christian School. Their school will be participating in the BC Christian Schools Track and Field Championship on April 24, 2009. The students who took part in the exchange trip to Gondoikhethwa, South Africa have returned. Their school has organized an enactment of the children’s invisible band called the “rescue”.

5.

A. Holmes and A. Azevedo, Langley Fine Arts School reported that exams begin on May 28. The school organized a ‘Pennies for Peace’ campaign and will be producing a calendar to fund raise for their programs.

6.

J. Choi and L. Phan reported that RE Mountain Secondary is organizing a school dance and also a 30 hour famine.

7.

K. Tsai and C. Thompson reported that the Langley Secondary School is planning a play called “Othello” and a LSSC Idol competition. They will be organizing a fundraiser for Project Kenya. The school will also be having a dance for senior students on May 7, 2009.

8.

L. Visser reported that she will not be attending the next meeting and complimented the committee for their excellent participation and thanked them. NEXT MEETING Date: Wednesday, May 27 , 2009 Location: Salmon River Committee Room 4th Floor, 20338 – 65 Avenue Time: 7:00 p.m. Chair: K. Tsai

O.

-7-

TERMINATE Moved by A. Holmes, Seconded by That the meeting terminate at 8:50 p.m. CERTIFIED CORRECT:

____________ Chair, Tina Ma