by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Lila Gunn proposed starting a Sanibel Youth Advisory Council after being turned away in Fort Myers because she wasn’t a resident.
“A Sanibel Youth Advisory Council would provide young people with valuable experience in leadership, civic engagement, and the local government. This also gives younger people an opportunity to voice their opinions and offer fresh ideas,” Gunn said.
Importantly, she added, this would also help to bridge the gap between Sanibel’s older and younger generations by encouraging communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
“Most importantly,” Gunn continued, “investing in and involving young people today helps prepare the future leaders, residents, and decision-makers who will shape Sanibel for years to come. I think if Sanibel wants to protect and shape its future, it should begin involving the people who will eventually inherit that future.”
Gunn envisions the Youth Advisory Council to consist of students in grades 8-12 with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. She expects five to seven members, all of whom must be Sanibel residents.
The Youth Advisory Council would advise leadership, meeting directly with City Council and city managers to share youth perspectives on community issues. It would participate in joint public meetings and goal-setting sessions, and plan and execute local events and volunteer activities.
“A Youth Advisory Council would also help ensure that the next generation of Sanibel’s leaders understand the importance of the Sanibel Plan and the long-term vision it provides for the community,” Gunn continued.
“By introducing young people to the principles and goals that guide Sanibel, the city can help prepare future residents and leaders to thoughtfully uphold and carry forward its vision. A community’s long-term plan is only as enduring as the generations willing and prepared to carry its vision forward,” said Gunn.
City Council members were very impressed with Gunn, her vision for a Youth Advisory Committee, and her detailed proposal.
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