Title
Youth Council Onboarding Retreat
Recommended Action
Participate in the Olympia Youth Council Onboarding Retreat and provide input on Youth Council priorities and activities for the 2027 Work Plan.
Report
Issue:
Provide new and returning Olympia Youth Councilmembers with an opportunity to build relationships, learn how the Youth Council works, understand expectations and meeting procedures, complete onboarding requirements, and begin developing the Youth Council’s 2027 Work Plan.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Youth Council Liaison, 360.753.8441
Presenter(s):
Susan Grisham, Youth Council Liaison
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Youth Council brings youth perspectives to the City of Olympia and provides opportunities for young people to learn about local government, engage with their community, and develop ideas and recommendations on issues affecting youth.
The Youth Council includes both newly appointed and returning members. An onboarding retreat provides dedicated time at the beginning of the Youth Council year to establish a shared understanding of roles and expectations, build relationships among members, and prepare the group for its work throughout the year.
The Youth Council Onboarding Retreat will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Retreat Objectives
The retreat will:
• Build relationships and strengthen teamwork among new and returning members.
• Help members understand the purpose and role of the Youth Council.
• Review Youth Council leadership roles, subcommittees and member responsibilities.
• Introduce members to how Youth Council meetings are conducted and how members work with City staff.
• Provide practical training on the Open Public Meetings Act and parliamentary procedure.
• Review onboarding paperwork and administrative expectations.
• Begin developing the Youth Council’s 2027 Work Plan.
• Establish a foundation for respectful discussion, collaboration and disagreement throughout the year.
Retreat Agenda
The three-hour retreat will include the following:
1:00-1:15 p.m. - Welcome & Opening
Introductions, expectations and an overview of the day.
1:15-1:45 p.m. - Getting to Know Each Other & Team Building
Members will participate in introductions and a conflict styles activity designed to help members understand how people approach disagreement and how to work effectively with different perspectives.
1:45-2:15 p.m. - Youth Council 101: How We Work
Members will learn about the Youth Council’s purpose and role, leadership structure, subcommittees, member responsibilities, meetings, working with City staff, and how Youth Council ideas can move forward through City processes.
2:15-2:25 p.m. - Break
2:25-3:05 p.m. - OPMA & Parliamentary Procedure
Members will learn practical expectations for conducting public business, including public meetings, quorum, communication outside meetings, motions, discussion, amendments and voting. The session will emphasize practicing the meeting process rather than simply reviewing rules.
3:05-3:20 p.m. - Paperwork & Housekeeping
Members will complete or review required onboarding materials and discuss administrative expectations and communication.
3:20-3:55 p.m. - Work Plan Creation
Members will identify issues, priorities and potential activities for the 2027 Youth Council Work Plan. Ideas generated during the retreat will provide a starting point for further discussion and development of the work plan.
3:55-4:00 p.m. - Closing & Next Steps
Review key takeaways, next steps and expectations for the upcoming Youth Council year.
Work Plan Development
A key outcome of the retreat will be beginning the Youth Council’s 2027 Work Plan.
Members will be invited to identify issues they believe are important to young people in Olympia and potential projects, activities, outreach efforts, partnerships and policy topics the Youth Council may want to explore.
The retreat will provide an initial opportunity for members to generate and discuss ideas. Additional discussion and refinement will occur as the Youth Council continues its work throughout the year.
Climate Analysis:
This is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
According to the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Report Card, approximately 40 percent of students in Olympia schools are students of color and approximately 20 percent are economically disadvantaged. These data do not include students who are not enrolled in traditional schools, such as students who are homeschooled or participating in GED programs.
One of the primary purposes of the Youth Council is to create opportunities for young people to participate in local government and bring forward perspectives from youth who may otherwise have limited access to decision-making processes. The recommended appointments bring a range of educational, cultural, socioeconomic, and lived experiences to the Youth Council.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Youth in our community have expressed an interest in participating in decision making that affects their future.
Options:
Participate in the Olympia Youth Council Onboarding Retreat and provide input on Youth Council priorities and activities for the 2027 Work Plan.
Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact.
Attachments:
None