---
date: 2025-02-18
title: Youth Council Advisory Committee Agenda Packet
source: 2025-02/2025-02-18_Youth Council Advisory Committee_Agenda Packet.pdf
pages: 1
---

STOCKBRIDGE Youth Council Advisory
YOUTH COUNCIL Committee
ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Agenda
Dr. Alfreda Renee Gourdine, Chair
February 18, 2025 6:30 PM
Joc’Quelyn Carter, Treasurer
Sharika Zellars, Student Liaison
Dr. Samuel Valme, Secretary
Valerie Richmond-Reese, Parliamentarian

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Ayesha Gambles
Tykera Goins
Candis Jones
Paige Jones III
Georgia McIntyre
Dr. Thomas Smith

STOCKBRIDGE CITY HALL
STAFF LIAISON
4640 NORTH HENRY BLVD.
Cassandra Lester
STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281

Website: www.stockbridgega.org

Phone: 770-389-7900

Fax: 770-389-7912
AGENDA
YOUTH COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025 6:30 PM

I. Call to Order
1. Invocation Followed by Pledge
2. Roll Call
3. Approve Agenda
4. Approve December 2024 Minutes
II. Old Business
5. Area Beautification
6. SYC/AC Attendance
7. 2025 First Quarter Calendar
8. GMA Youth Forum
III. New Business
9. Welcome New AC Members
10. Review SYC Minutes - January/February 2025
11. 2nd Annual Youth Entrepreneur Expo
12. 2025 Second Quarter Calendar
IV. Adjourn

The Youth Advisory Council Committee is to make recommendations to Council based on the following Terms
of Reference.
1. To identify and advise on youth issues in the City of Stockbridge.
2. To advise Council on the development of policies that are responsive to the needs of youth.
3. To consult with local youth and feedback results of consultations to Council.
4. To assist in the ongoing development and delivery of youth-targeted projects and programs.
5. To create opportunities for youth leadership development by acting as a resource for youth activities.

Note: This Committee meets monthly on selected dates.
Stockbridge Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2024

I. Call to Order
A. Quorum was met and the meeting was called to order at 18:37
B. Invocation led by Paige Jones III
C. Roll Call
Roll Call Members Absent:
Dr. Renee Gourdine Sharika Zellars
Joc’Quelyn Carter Dr. Bonita Adams
Dr. Samuel Valme Kaitlynn Nash
Valerie Richmond-Reese Tarreka Powell
Dr. Thomas Smith Shawana Davis
Paige Jones III
D. Pledge of allegiance: recited in unison
E. Approve Agenda
a) Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter
b) Second: Paige Jones III
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried
F. Approve 9/17/2024 SYC Meeting Minutes
a) Motion: Valerie Richmond-Reese
b) Second: Joc’Quelyn Carter
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried
II. Officers and City Staff Reports
A. The Chair noted the importance of adhering closely to the agenda, particularly
regarding Officers' and City Staff Reports. Moving forward, the Chair will check for
any updates or information the city needs to share with the board. For example,
this could include opportunities such as the Mayor inviting the board to participate
in a city holiday event or other activities relevant to youth engagement. These
updates will be reported here to ensure the board remains informed about city
initiatives and events that could benefit or involve the youth.
III. Old Business
A. Area Beautification
1. The Chair emphasized the need for increased participation in area
beautification efforts, as previous group structures (Group A and Group B)
were short-lived. Currently, the advisory committee members have been
the primary participants, and the Chair suggested finding ways to alleviate
the burden on them. Dr. Valme has agreed to oversee Friday beautification
efforts in coordination with Ms. Valerie. This adjustment accommodates
students who cannot participate on Saturdays. Previously, a Friday session
was held but was not needed as no students expressed interest. Moving
forward, if weather conditions become extremely cold during winter, the
group will collectively decide via text whether to proceed with scheduled
beautification efforts.

2. Allocate funding to support the purchase of 50 black caps with the SYC
emblem embroidered on the front for the students and Advisory members.
a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Valerie Richmond-Reese
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

B. Vacant Advisory Committee Leadership Position
1. The Chair noted two vacant leadership positions on the Advisory
Committee: Student Liaison and Vice Chair. Ms. Sharika Zellars stepped
down as Student Liaison due to her new employment but plans to increase
her activity on the board by the beginning of the year.
2. Ms. Valerie asked if the Chair would consider requesting the City Council
to assign new members directly into leadership roles.
a) The Chair responded that such appointments would require a board
vote.
b) The Chair mentioned a recent meeting with Cassandra, where one
proposal included allowing the board to interview potential new
members.
3. Joc’Quelyn Carter suggested asking the city for volunteers to assist with
board functions.
4. The Chair shared that the Mayor requested her to address attendance
issues in line with the bylaws. A memo will be sent to students and
parents, warning of possible removal from the Youth Council due to lack of
participation. Persistent absenteeism will be brought to the board for a
vote.
5. Paige Jones III offered to help review attendance matters.
6. The Chair emphasized adherence to the bylaws, noting that three missed
meetings could result in removal.
7. Dr. Samuel Valme proposed posting an attendance roster to display
students’ attendance percentages for the school year. He volunteered to
assist with maintaining the roster.
8. The Chair agreed to send memos to parents for transparency and
emphasized the importance of not allocating funds to students—
particularly seniors—who fail to participate actively.

C. Past Calendar Events 4th QTR
1. The Chair provided a summary of events for the fourth quarter (October–
December):
▪ The board supported a Fall Festival and hosted a retreat on
September 30th.
▪ Additional activities included assisting Councilwoman Barbara with
decorating Christmas ornaments for seniors and preparing pouches
for elementary schools. Students also filled Christmas stockings for
a holiday event.
2. Joc’Quelyn Carter inquired about the protocol for additional events,
specifically whether all events must be communicated through Liaison
Councilman Berry and Cassandra and limited to one event per
councilmember.
3. The Chair confirmed that communication should go through Cassandra
and Councilman Berry, and additional events must be voted on via text or
GroupMe.
4. Paige Jones III recommended identifying a clear process and leveraging
technology where necessary.
5. Valerie Richmond-Reese suggested creating a separate GroupMe channel
for the advisory board to review and vote on additional events.
6. Dr. Thomas Smith proposed discussing the protocol with Cassandra and
sharing the outcomes with the board for further action.

IV. New Business
A. Bylaws Attendance Requirement
1. Recommend removal of three board members who are in violation of the
Monthly meeting attendance policy per the Article V of the by-laws. Those
members are Bonita Adams, Shawana Davis and Tarreka Powell.
a) Motion: Paige Jones III
b) Second: Dr. Thomas Smith
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

B. Upcoming 2025 First Quarter Calendar Events
1. The Chair noted the need for a budget update, estimating a remaining
balance of $3,000. The goal for the next fiscal year (FY) is to zero out the
budget.
2. Two activities were missed this FY:
a) Walking in Authority Forum (Clayton County) – missed due to late
notice.
b) Holiday Party – $500 was allocated for hosting the event.
3. A discussion on budget allocations and execution will take place during the
January meeting.
4. Valerie Richmond-Reese inquired about potential expenditures for the
February Youth Forum.
a) The Chair clarified that GMA registration is not yet open and there
are also associated hotel costs.

C. GMA Youth Forum – February 2025
1. GMA Youth Forum: Scheduled for February 28 – March 2, 2025.
a) 25 students will attend.
b) Discussion on selection criteria for student participants.
c) Two advisory board members are required to attend.
(1) Valerie Richmond-Reese volunteered.
2. Dr. Valme proposed using attendance as a primary factor for selecting
students.

V. Executive Session (if needed)
A. Not required
VI. Adjourn
A. Motion: Paige Jones III
B. Second: Dr. Samuel Valme
C. In Favor: All present
D. Oppose: None
E. Abstain: None
F. Motion carried
G. Adjourned at 20:10
