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Norwalk
Youth Services Advisory Board Actions
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MAY 29, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Peter Wien, Chairman; Rhonda Collins; Anna Duleep; Shirley Sarkin;
Jessica Fogg; Darlene Young (4:40).
STAFF: Linda Wilock, Director of Youth Services.
The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. by the Chairman.
INTRODUCTIONS
The Chairman introduced Ms. Duleep, who reviewed her background and experience. All of the other board members also introduced themselves.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2007
** MS. SARKIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS DISTRIBUTED.
** MS. FOGG SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
YOUTH SURVEY
Ms. Fogg reviewed her survey, noting that she and Ms. Young had reviewed last year’s survey after the last meeting. She said that the Hour had an insert on summer jobs for youth, which she considered to be a terrific resource. They are trying to think of ways to obtain meaningful answers from youth. An idea is to have surveys distributed at various programs for young people. They are targeting teenagers.
Discussion took place on after school programs in town. Ms. Sarkin pointed out that there is a confidentiality issue with obtaining mailing addresses of young people. She would prefer that this survey be distributed at programs for youth, with the approval of the directors of these programs.
Ms. Wilock noted that they would miss the young people who are not connected with various programs.
The Chairman asked about having a booth at the Oyster Festival. Ms. Collins said that the time commitment required was a problem in getting coverage. She suggested targeting their resources.
Ms. Sarkin suggested speaking to the PTAs, and Ms. Duleep suggested there be an incentive for returning the surveys, such as a raffle. Discussion took place on the idea of a kiosk at the beach. Ms. Collins suggested there could be a table at the beach for time-limited events geared toward teenagers. There could be a raffle, for example, to win an IPOD or movie tickets. The Board will check with Mr. Mocciae as to the dates of these events.
Ms. Wilock said that the Housing Authority has access to a lot of young people, and they have monthly mailings. They can speak to Mr. Law and Ms. Mayer. Ms. Collins noted it would be interesting to see the responses from different groups and to ascertain the needs of these different groups of young people.
At 4:40 p.m., Ms. Young arrived at the meeting.
Discussion took place about putting the survey on line. The Chairman said he thought this was a good idea if it could be publicized. Ms. Wilock said they need something in place that kids go to. Ms. Young said there are only three more weeks of school. They can utilize already-formed groups to help them attract their target audience. She asked if they were going to start now or in the fall. The Chairman suggested they have kids put together the web site so that it would have a kids feel. Ms. Sarkin said that would be rich with publicity. Ms. Young suggested that they tap into resources with kids who are computer savvy. Ms. Wilock said she was reluctant to approach the schools at this time of the year. This has to be done by the city’s IT department. The Chairman said that the city would have to have oversight. Ms. Young said they can approach youth from the summer employment program to design a web site over the summer. She will coordinate this effort.
Ms. Sarkin said there should be newspaper publicity and the Chairman agreed. He encouraged members to e-mail ideas to him and/or Ms. Wilock.
Ms. Fogg said that the survey will end up on the web site. Ms. Wilock said it can also go before various groups during the summer. The Chairman asked if the Outward Bound students could participate in attracting other youth to the survey. Ms. Fogg said that Bethany Ingraham could help with this. The Chairman noted that they can have churches promote the survey as well.
Ms. Fogg asked for helping identifying programs to put into question #2 on the survey, and discussion took place. The Chairman suggested they ask the young people which programs they currently have and which ones they would like to have. Ms. Collins said that the readability level of the survey should be such that everyone can fill it out.
The Chairman thanked Ms. Fogg and Ms. Young for their work on the survey. Ms. Young will give the survey to the teenagers she works with this summer. The Chairman pointed out the need to get young people on this Board.
Ms. Wilock suggested adding a question asking what the young people would like to see on a youth web site.
OTHER
Discussion took place on whether or not there should be a meeting over the summer.
The Chairman said having young people build a web site is the key, and this should be ready by the fall. Ms. Young will talk with the Mayor about funding. Ms. Wilock said they could work with the IT Department as well. Ms. Fogg will approach the person she works with regarding pro bono work on the web site. She will also speak to someone from Outward Bound. The Chairman suggested to Ms. Fogg that she bring an “advisor” to a meeting to discuss their wish list. Ms. Fogg, however, said it would be more efficient to have a wish list in writing for this person to review.
The next step is to ask the city’s IT person what would be required. Ms. Wilock said that is the next step and should not be a problem.
Ms. Fogg and Ms. Young will work together on the survey. All ideas should be sent to Ms. Wilock, who will then send them to everyone.
Ms. Sarkin said they need to make sure they are not competing with other groups in town. Ms. Young said this web site would be a place to bring all of the organizations together.
The next meeting will take place on June 12th at 4 p.m.
Anyone with comments about the survey should e-mail them to Ms. Fogg.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services
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