Our overview of civic power before eighteen covers the basics of public comment at school board meetings and how to make a records request. This article covers a different, more structured form of civic participation: a youth commission, council, or advisory board — a standing body, usually made up of young people themselves, that a city, county, or state has created specifically to advise on decisions affecting them.
What these bodies actually do
A city or county youth council typically meets regularly, reviews proposed policies or budget items that affect young people, and makes recommendations to the city council, school board, or relevant department. Some are purely advisory; a few have limited formal authority, like a say over a specific grant fund for youth programs. The National League of Cities, which represents thousands of municipal governments, actively supports and documents youth councils as a recognized form of civic engagement, not an informal or symbolic one.
Unlike a single public-comment period, a seat on a standing council means an ongoing relationship with local officials and repeated opportunities to weigh in as issues come up, rather than one three-minute window per meeting.
Where to actually look for one
Not every city or county has a youth council, and where they exist, the name, structure, and application process vary widely — some call it a youth commission, a mayor's youth council, or a youth advisory board. Your city or county government's official website is the most reliable place to check, along with your school district, since some youth councils are organized through schools rather than city hall directly.
A local library, a school counselor, or your city clerk's office can often point you toward one even if it isn't easy to find through a general search, since these bodies are sometimes newer or smaller than a search engine surfaces well.
What to ask before joining one
Ask specifically what the council's role actually is — purely advisory, or does it have some real authority over a specific decision or fund — how members are selected, how often it meets, and what happens to the recommendations it makes. A council that has met for years but whose recommendations are never acted on is a different experience than one with a real track record of influencing a specific decision, and it's fair to ask current or former members which one you'd be joining.
If your city or county doesn't have one at all, that itself is something you can raise with a city council member or school board — some youth councils exist today because a young person asked why one didn't.
Remember this
- A youth commission or advisory board is a standing body for youth civic input, distinct from a one-time public comment.
- Most are advisory, though some have limited formal authority — ask which kind you'd be joining.
- Names and structures vary a lot by city and state — check your city, county, and school district websites specifically.
- If none exists where you live, raising that with a local official is itself a form of civic participation.
Sources
This article provides general educational information, not individualized legal advice. KidsKnowRights is not a law firm, and reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state, age, and circumstances, and they change over time. For advice about a real situation, talk with a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization.