MYC Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MYC and why should I join?

MYC is youth-led, youth-driven, and adult supported. Decisions are made every day that affect the lives of young people, many times with little or no input from those impacted by the decisions. The purpose of the MYC is to involve youth in all levels of community decision-making. 

“Your voice matters and needs to be heard. Positive and permanent changes are the outcomes of people using their voices to fight for what they believe in. That could be you. You will grow into a leader in which even those in power listen to you. MYC is my outlet to express my passion for implementing positive changes to benefit youth in our communities. We are young and powerful, and our voice matters. So does yours - it’s time to use it.” – Christina Liu, Past MYC Co-Chair

What GPA or experience do I need to apply for the youth commission?

• There is NO GPA requirement and no previous experience is necessary. You do not need to be an “expert” to be successful on the MYC.
• We encourage youth of all backgrounds and that are passionate about making change in Multnomah County and the City of Portland to apply! We will provide support, training, and opportunities to get involved.

What is the process to apply to be on the Youth Commission?

• Monday, April 18th - Application (submit online or email/mail/ fax a paper copy) are due with two references. Everyone that turns in a complete application will get an interview.

• May 10th, May 11th, or May 12th – Interviews dates, select one:  

  • Tuesday, MAY 10th, 2022 4:30- 5:30pm Zoom Interview

  • Wednesday MAY 11th, 2022 4:30- 5:30pm Zoom Interview

  • Thursday, MAY 12th, 2022 4:30-5:30pm Zoom Interview

• May 31st– Decisions are sent out.

What is the time commitment of being on the MYC?

• Hours requirement (including travel time to meetings): 

  • Voting member: 15 hours/month, and miss no more than 3 full MYC Sunday meetings in 6 months. 

  •  At-large member: 7 hours/month, full MYC Sunday meeting attendance expected.

• There is a three-day fall Retreat in the fall to prepare for the year, and a one day Mid-Year Retreat in February. 

• If anyone is not meeting the hours requirements, we will check in with you and we understand that challenges come up (transportation, family emergencies, etc). Co-chairs and staff will check in and provide support to help you meet the commitment or make arrangements for accommodations.

What do MYC meetings look like: Sunday and Committee Meetings?

• Food is provided at all in-person MYC meetings. 

• Sunday meetings: where all formal business is discussed, including votes on items and community presentations. 

  • Full MYC meetings about every other week on Sundays from 4:30-7:30pm

  • MYC Co-Chairs lead Sunday meetings. 

• Committee meetings: where the bulk of MYC work is done. 

  • Commissioners meet to plan community events (such as roundtable discussions, candidate forums, etc), work on policy goals (like expanding access to free bus service to youth), and do other work to make the City and County a better place for youth. 

  • Committee co-chairs lead committee meetings. 

  • Committee meetings once a week from 4:30-6pm or (5-6:30PM) when we are in person. Each committee meets on a different day of the week. For example, Education/Youth Voice Committee meets on Tuesdays this year. 

Where are meetings located?

• All committees meet at the Gateway Building (E Burnside & 102nd; accessible by MAX Blue Line, Bus #20,15).

• Sunday meetings alternate between Portland City Hall (downtown Portland, accessible by MAX Yellow/Green, Bus #4,10,14, and many more)  and the Gresham Schools Building (next to Gresham City Hall, accessible by MAX Blue, Bus #21). 

• MYC provides monthly bus passes and transportation to all other retreats or meetings outside of our regular meetings. 

What are the committees and what kind of work do they do?

1. Education/Youth Voice: advocates for youth voice and equitable education. Main focus: pushing back high school start times to 8:45am or later.

2. Youth Against Violence: address the many types of violence youth face with a current focus on police violence and dating/sexual violence.

3. Transportation Equity and Environmental Advocacy: strive for equitable transit access for all youth in Multnomah County and City of Portland. Main focus: Expanding transportation access to youth by advocating for YouthPass (free transit access for youth)

4. Coordinating Committee (CoCo): made up of the MYC co-chair and the co-chairs of the three committees. Sets the agenda and direction for the MYC.

Accommodations: Please contact us at multnomahyouth@gmail.com or call/text us at 503.933.1984 to request translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, or other auxiliary aids or services that you need to apply or participate in the MYC.