Trafford Borough Junior Council Person Program

Trafford Borough Junior Council Person Program

UPDATE: NOW ACCEPTING JCP APPLICATIONS FOR RISING PENN-TRAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, JUNIORS, AND SOPHOMORES

The Trafford Borough Junior Council Person Program was established to create an opportunity for Penn-Trafford Junior and Senior High School Students to learn first-hand local government processes as well as critical skills, including team building and collaboration, public speaking, 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.

Trafford Borough’s Original JCP Member, Ally Moraca, obtains her private pilot’s license!

Trafford and Irwin Junior Council Members representing their respective boroughs at the 2023 Light Up Norwin parade on November 16, 2023 in Irwin, PA.

History of the Current Trafford Borough Junior Council Person Program

At the direction of Council President Kris Cardiff, Councilman Chris Corrales began the groundwork in January 2020 for the Junior Council Person (JCP) Program but it was put on hiatus due to COVID-19.  In January 2022, Council President Kris Cardiff revived the program and met with Penn-Trafford Superintendent Dr. Matt Harris to discuss this potential opportunity for PT students. The proposed program was well received as a great opportunity for the youth of our community.  Finally, in April 2022, Trafford Borough Council voted unanimously to approve the Junior Council Person Program.  With the assistance of Councilman Steve Perovich, President Cardiff provided a presentation to PT High School Students on April 27, 2022 at the Penn-Trafford High School.

Trafford Borough currently has one JCP member, Ally, a Junior from Penn-Trafford High School.  President Cardiff administered the JCP pledge to Ally at the September Council Meeting, officially beginning her two year term.  Ally has been active with the borough and attends the council meetings as well as the monthly JCP meeting.  Each month, the JCP committee has a new theme.  In September, the theme was the borough administration office where Ally learned the day-to-day duties of the borough secretary and manager.  The October JCP meeting’s theme is slated to be the Trafford Borough Public Works Department.

7/24/23 UPDATE: At the June 2023 Regular Council Meeting, Trafford Borough Council approved the JCP Membership of three Penn-Trafford High School Students.  In her second year as a Trafford Borough JCP Member, Ally will serve in a leadership role to the two new incoming JCP members.  With guidance from Council President Kris Cardiff and the Council JCP Committee, Ally will set the JCP monthly meeting schedule/themes and mentor the two new JCP members, PT Senior Ainsley and PT Junior Gregory.

The Junior Council Person (JCP) Program is a statewide initiative from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs that 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 councils across the state.

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

Trafford Borough’s JCP Program guidelines include:

 

  • JCPs should be Penn-Trafford School District residents.
  • Boroughs can have more than one JCP serving at a time.  Ideally, the borough is looking for one (1) High School Junior and one (1) High School Senior to serve as the JCP committee.
  • If applicable, the High School Senior will serve as the Chair of the JCP committee and the High School Junior shall serve as the Co-Chair.
  • Students that will be Juniors and Seniors in High School are encouraged to apply.
  • Students should submit the JCP application along with a letter of interest to borough council outlining why they want to be a JCP.
  • An interview process with council JCP committee will occur.
  • Once selected, the JCP should take the “Junior Council Person Pledge.”
  • JCPs may be appointed to one-or two-year terms.
  • Attendance should be required at monthly meetings.
  • A Junior Council Person shall not receive compensation.
  • JCPs should be seated with council, participate in borough business, and observe all council rules.
  • JCPs cannot vote or participate in executive session.
  • Attendance at budget sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, and community events is encouraged.
  • A Junior Council Person shall serve at the pleasure of Council and may be removed at any time, for any reason, at the discretion of Council.
  • To earn the Distinguished JCP Award, the student should serve for a minimum of six months, having attended a majority of council meetings.

Penn-Trafford High School students that will be a Junior or Senior for the 2024-2025 school year are welcome to download the Trafford Borough Junior Council Person Program application and submit it either by mail to ATTENTION: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KRIS CARDIFF, 414 BRINTON AVENUE, TRAFFORD, PA 15085, or email to kcardiff@traffordborough.com.

Click here for the Trafford Borough Junior Council Person Program Application
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