Rockville Youth Commission Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Rockville Youth Commission met on September 15, 2026, beginning at approximately 4:10 PM, to discuss the youth survey action plan, recruitment for the next commission term, the interim chairperson selection, and planning for the annual report to the Mayor and Council. The meeting opened with a voice vote to start, followed by unanimous approval of the prior meeting minutes. (Note: the chair's opening remarks reference an April 9 date; per official meeting metadata, the meeting date used here is September 15, 2026.)

Consent Calendar

• A motion to approve the prior meeting minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously by voice vote, with no opposition.

Announcements

• A member noted that the city is still hiring for summer positions for anyone seeking a summer job.

Discussion: Youth Survey Action Plan

• The youth survey has been open for about a month, but the meeting lead reported that responses so far come mostly from her own outreach network and from Richard Montgomery (RM) seniors, creating limited diversity. She asked each member to send the survey to at least one or two additional people before the next meeting, emphasizing that the commission's diversity is intentional and important.
• Members suggested distribution channels, including handing out the survey at an upcoming teacher-versus-student basketball game on Friday and at other school events. One member noted their school had already held its event.
• A pool party is planned with survey completion as a requirement to attend. Members said this approach could generate a couple hundred responses and noted the party historically attracts many middle schoolers, helping reach a younger crowd. A raffle will be used as an incentive, and the party date is expected to be confirmed by the beginning of May.
• Early responses show trends of high stress, mental-health struggles, and burnout among students. Members connected these findings to Councilmember Billiard's prior comments about a youth center and said the results align with issues the commission can help address.
• Private-school members discussed ways to reach students outside RM, such as contacting friends on sports teams or friends who live in Rockville, while acknowledging that not all of them know many Rockville residents.

Discussion: Recruitment for the 2025–2026 Term

• The meeting lead and Jordan have been working with Veronica, a liaison between the city clerk's office and staff liaisons, on recruitment.
• With the exception of Becca's, all members' terms end in October. Members interested in reapplying must submit an expression-of-interest form, and the link will be emailed to them. Applications are due by May 31, after which the mayor will conduct interviews; appointments will be made in September, with terms beginning in October.

Discussion: Interim Chairperson

• Because the prior year's term structure left Becca in the chair position, the commission discussed electing an interim chair to serve from the end of Becca's tenure, with two months remaining, until October, when a new chair would be elected to serve for the school year.
• The responsibilities of the chair were described as running meetings, building agendas with Jordan, handling minutes and online postings, attending events, speaking on behalf of the commission, and representing the commission to the public. Comfort with public speaking is helpful but not required, and members were referred to the establishing resolution for formal duties.
• An election for the interim chair will be held at the next meeting. Members who are old enough and eligible were encouraged to consider applying. Jordan and the meeting lead will verify whether the interim chair can serve over the summer and will report back. It was noted that Alice is old enough, while Daniela, a sophomore, is not yet eligible.

Discussion: Annual Report to the Mayor and Council

• Every commission is required to submit an annual report to the Mayor and Council, typically a few PowerPoint slides highlighting the year's work. Examples from other commissions were shared as templates, though the youth commission's report is expected to be short and sweet and will be developed as a team at a future meeting.
• Likely highlights include developing the youth survey, attending the King Farm event, and the pool party. The meeting lead expressed excitement that the survey results will be well received by the Mayor and Council and said the results will inform the commission's work for the next school year.

Key Outcomes

• Prior meeting minutes approved unanimously.
• Each member will collect at least one or two additional survey responses before the next meeting; distribution will be expanded through school events and the pool party, where survey completion will be required for entry and a raffle will be offered. The party date is to be announced by early May.
• Applications for the next commission term are due May 31, and expression-of-interest links will be sent to members.
• An interim chair election is scheduled for the next meeting; eligibility and summer-service questions are to be confirmed by Jordan and the meeting lead.
• The annual report will be drafted as a team, with survey results guiding next school year's priorities.
• The meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote.