Civics Forum a lesson for more than just students

With the November 2018 mid-term elections a week away, much has been written about the importance of voting. Not only in this election, but any election.

Students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools
participate in the Oct. 22 Civics Forum

This is not breaking news.

However, an added twist in recent years has been the importance of civic engagement.  The message from major civic-minded foundations, government watchdog organizations and community advocacy organizations or the village clerk is simple – civic engagement is important.

Buffalo Grove’s Village Clerk, Janet Sirabian, is not someone who jumped on the band wagon.  In fact, Sirabian helped get the band wagon rolling years ago when she started coordinating the village’s annual Civics Forum.

The event includes students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools who, for a day, are involved in village activities that culminate with a Village Board meeting run by the students.

The Forum, held last Monday, gave students a chance to present village projects to the full board, made up of the students, with support from staff, also portrayed by students.

Students received information from village departments.  The proposals included a volunteerism video, community development manufacturing expo, purchase of 10-year smoke detectors, a bench and picnic table for the police department, purchase of a nitrogen generator tire-filling system, public workspace at village hall, and a daily endorphin for village employees.

Students had the day to study and analyze each proposal before presenting  -- and defending – them to the Board at the meeting.

What’s refreshing to note is that the students did what village staff and village officials do (or are supposed to do); and that is look at projects that impact the village. The students volunteered to participate in the Forum so they can experience first hand how government works and the importance of being involved in the civic process.

Which takes on seemingly more importance this year because of the mid-term elections. The easiest way to get engaged in civics is to vote. As said before, that’s not breaking news.

A more challenging way to get civically engaged is to follow village activities.  With Village Board elections coming up in April of 2019, you can bet there will be folks who will run for one of three Trustee seats available or, perhaps, even Village President.

Unless they are seeking re-election, some of the candidates who run seldom, if ever, attend Village Board meetings. Others may run simply to promote their own agenda rather than work for the issues facing the village as a whole.

While people want to jump on national or global band wagons, there is greater need for civic engagement at the grassroots level. There are more pressing issues than snow removal, skunks and parkway trees.

Sirabian knows this, which is why she gets young people involved.

And from the looks of things from last Monday’s Civics Forum – they get it.

Hopefully more people will.