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LOCAL NEWS

NB Council & RV Chamber approve Junior Person Program

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (RVO) – During their recent monthly meetings, New Bethlehem Borough Council and the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce adopted Junior Board Member initiatives.

The Junior Council Person (JCP) Program is a statewide initiative from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB), which aims to get young people involved in their local communities. It allows for youth to take an active role in the governing process of their municipalities and brings a young, fresh perspective to communities across the state. The Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce modeled their Junior Chamber program from PSAB’s structure.

While a JCP does not have an official vote on the Board, he or she does have a voice and an official seat at the table. It is a mutually beneficial relationship for both the directors and the youth. It also allows board members to serve as mentors to students who will be future leaders in their communities.

The JCP Program will allow high school students the opportunity to learn critical skills including team building and collaboration, public speaking, event management, public engagement, budgeting, and running effective meetings. It also will allow the student the opportunity to deliberate on issues that are affecting his or her community.

The JCP Program guidelines include:

  • Junior Council Persons should be a borough resident
  • Junior Chamber Persons should be a resident of Redbank Valley School District
  • The Borough/Chamber can have more than one JCP serving at a time.
  • Juniors and Seniors in high school are encouraged to apply.
  • Students should write a letter of interest to board of directors outlining why they want to be a JCP.
  • An interview process with board members will occur.
  • Once selected, the JCP should take the “Junior Person Pledge.”
  • JCPs may be appointed to one-or two-year terms.
  • Attendance is required at monthly meetings.
  • A Junior Person shall not receive compensation.
  • JCPs will be seated with the board of directors, participate in organization business, and observe all organizational rules.
  • JCPs cannot vote or participate in executive session.
  • Attendance at budget sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, and community events is encouraged.
  • Junior Persons shall serve at the direction of the Board and may be removed at any time, for any reason, at the discretion of the directors.
  • To earn the Distinguished JCP Award, the student should serve for a minimum of six months, having attended a majority of board meetings.

APPLICANTS: 
BOROUGH: Students living in New Bethlehem Borough may complete this application form: NewBethlehemBoro.com/junior-council-person

CHAMBER: Students living in the Redbank Valley School District may complete this application form: RedbankChamber.com/junior-chamber-person

*Applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.

MEETINGS:
BOROUGH: New Bethlehem Borough meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at the Alltel/Windstream Building on Lafayette Street.

CHAMBER: Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 12 noon at the Redbank Valley Public Library.

CONTACT:
BOROUGH: To contact any member of Council or the Borough’s office, please visit: NewBethlehemBoro.com/about and click the ‘Council’ tab. You may also ‘like/follow’ New Bethlehem Borough on Facebook for the latest news: Facebook.com/NewBethlehem

CHAMBER: To contact the Chamber office, please call the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce at 814.275.3929 or [email protected]. You may also ‘like/follow’ the Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for the latest news: Facebook.com/RVChamber

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