City Seeks Student Representatives for Boards and Commissions
Applications Due Thursday, Sept. 14
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Mayor Scott A. Wehrli and the Naperville City Council invite all Naperville resident high school students to fill student positions on several City boards and commissions and participate in a Leadership Academy, presented through a partnership with KidsMatter. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
The City invites students to apply for the following City of Naperville boards and commissions: Financial Advisory Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Human Rights & Fair Housing Commission, Naper Settlement Museum Board, Naperville Public Library Board of Trustees, Public Utilities Advisory Board, Riverwalk Commission, Sister Cities Commission, Special Events & Community Arts Commission and Transportation Advisory Board. There are more than 20 positions available. In addition to serving on a City board or commission, all student representatives are invited to attend the Leadership Academy.
“Serving on a board or commission is a great way to learn about how local government can contribute to the community and the responsibility that goes along with it,” Wehrli said. We encourage high school students to apply and share their ideas.”
KidsMatter, a Naperville nonprofit dedicated to building resilient kids who say “No” to destructive choices and “Yes” to endless possibilities, developed the Leadership Academy to enhance the student representative experience. The Leadership Academy provides leadership skills training that applies to many domains in life and familiarizes students with the structure of meeting protocols. It helps participants create peer connections and share experiences among student representatives.
Before completing an application, the City encourages students to review the City’s Boards and Commissions Guide at naperville.il.us/boards to help assess which board or commission is a good fit and to make sure they understand the roles and responsibilities. Student representatives should anticipate actively participating on the board or commission and the Leadership Academy, so students and their families should consider the time commitment required. Student representatives are required to attend 75% of scheduled meetings.
Interested students should apply online by clicking the “Apply” button on the appropriate board or commission webpage. A complete list and description of boards and commissions, as well as their meeting dates and times, is available at naperville.il.us/boards. Please note that not all sections of the application will apply to students. In lieu of a resume, students may submit a statement of interest that should indicate their year in school.
Students must live within the incorporated boundaries of the City of Naperville. High school seniors receive preference; however, all high school students may apply. All students who have served on a board or commission in previous years will need to reapply.
The Leadership Academy will include a kickoff from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Students in need of more information should contact Julie Dumler at 630-420-6031 or dumlerj@naperville.il.us.
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.