On December 22, the Fargo City Commission unanimously voted to approve support for the Fargo Youth Initiative (FYI) to transition to a new organizational structure that will broaden the civic engagement of its student members across multiple public entities.
To be housed within Fargo Public Schools, the new structure will involve liaison representatives from several governing bodies, including the Fargo City Commission, the Fargo Public Schools’ Board of Education and the Fargo Park Board, with potential for expansion. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley will provide meeting space and strategic and administrative support.
Current FYI members look forward to the expansion of their role as an advisory body to additional government entities. In 2013, the Fargo City Commission voted to adopt a resolution approving the creation of the Fargo Youth Initiative, noting the value of including Fargo’s youth on an advisory board that is empowered to provide input to City staff and to the City Commission. Since then, appointed members have met regularly to discuss opportunities and share input on issues facing young people in the community.
“We are hopeful we can expand our influence with this change, as youth are often an overlooked group on many issues that directly affect us,” said FYI Chair Isabella Meyer, who is a senior at Fargo North High School.
Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack, who serves as FYI’s liaison to the City Commission, also expressed her excitement for the transition, noting, “These additional civic leadership opportunities beyond the City of Fargo will elevate the voice of youth leaders in helping to shape our future.”
FYI board members and representatives of government bodies will meet over the next several weeks to continue discussing plans for the new organizational structure and recruiting new members.