2026-2027 TAB Application

2026-2027 Teen Advisory Board Application

The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a group of 15-20 highly dedicated high school students who plan and lead events for teens in Palo Alto. To achieve their mission statement, TAB develops ideas, implements teen programs, and encourages teen involvement.

Some of the events and programs TAB has implemented in recent years include 'Tab's Haunted Escape Room', 'Multicultural Night', 'Boba & Brushes', and 'Palopalooza'. TAB has also participated in the City of Palo Alto’s City-wide toy drive and MLK Jr. Day of Celebration. TAB is a great opportunity for high school students to conduct themselves as professionals, and grants them the freedom to take on active leadership roles.

To become a member of the Teen Advisory Board, submit a completed application via this online form. Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be scheduled with enthusiastic and eligible candidates. Applicants will be required to attend an in-person interview with the nominating committee. Applications, including letter of recommendation and video, will be accepted NO LATER than Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Schedule your Interview here:

https://signup.com/go/DwhZqmy

Please note that the application must be complete in order to be considered for membership. We kindly ask that all communication and correspondence is between the applicant and program coordinator directly.

Thank you for your interest, and we hope to see your face in the Teen Advisory Board this coming year! If you have any questions, please email teenadvisoryboard@paloalto.gov.

Sincerely,

City of Palo Alto Teen Services
Along with the application, candidates must include the following:
1. One Letter of Recommendation (teacher, advisor, mentor, or supervisor). Please have recommender email letter of recommendation directly to teenadvisoryboard@paloalto.gov. Letters of recommendation from family members or directly from applicants will not be accepted. Deadline to submit Letter of Recommendation is August 27. Returning members are exempt from providing a Letter of Recommendation, and their previous term's contribution will be used instead.
2. Record a one-minute video introducing yourself and explaining why you would like to be part of the Teen Advisory Board, and what makes you qualified.

2026-2027 Teen Advisory Board Application
Meetings

The Teen Advisory Board requires mandatory attendance to all weekly meetings. Meetings will be held in-person on Wednesday evenings from 5-6 PM at Mitchell Park Community Center until further notice. Members are also required to attend all TAB-planned events throughout the course of the year.

*Please Note: Approximately six to seven (6-8) TAB-planned events, including dates & times, will be determined throughout the course of the year by all 2026-2027 elected members.
Retreat

We will kick-off the 2026-2027 year with a joint retreat in September with all teen leadership members. The retreat will be an opportunity to meet other members, review bylaws and expectations, plan events and projects for the school year, and vote for elected officer positions. The retreat is mandatory for all new and returning members!

Teen Leadership Retreat
Saturday 9/05/2025

Mitchell Park Community Center

Time: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Attendance Policy

Elected TAB members are expected to attend all meetings and events of the Teen Advisory Board in whichever format held (Zoom or in person).

Members may miss up to five (5) meetings and two (2) events, excused or unexcused*. Whenever a member of the Teen Advisory Board misses their fourth and fifth meeting and/or second event, they will be notified by the Board Advisors via email. Upon reaching the sixth meeting and/or third event, the member will automatically be removed from the Teen Advisory Board and no longer recognized as a member. No exceptions or negotiations will be made.

If you plan on missing a meeting, we kindly ask that you please notify the Board Advisors or President at least two (2) hours before the general meeting. For events, we ask that you notify the Board Advisors or President at least one (1) week prior to the event to be missed.

Tardy is defined as arriving to the meeting eight (8) minutes late. Three (3) tardies is equivalent to one absence.

*Please Note: How you use your alloted absences for meetings and events is completely up to you. With that being said, however, we highly recommend you save your absences for serious illnesses or personal emergencies, as these absences will still count towards your total allotted absences.

Each member must go to a minimum of two event sponsored by the city annually. Examples of city-sponsored events include the May Fete Parade, MLK, YTRS activities, Tree Lighting, and Jack-O-Jaunt. There will be more city-sponsored events added throughout the year to provide more opportunities. If a member decides to attend more than two city sponsored event, this can replenish their allotted meeting absences by 1.

Again, any and all absences will count towards your alloted five (5) meetings and two (2) events, including sports, illnesses, emergencies, etc. Attendance accomodations will NOT be made for any participant.
I have read the information regarding Teen Advisory Board's Attendance Policy for all members. I understand that if I am elected to be part of the Teen Advisory Board, I am expected to attend the 9/05 retreat, as well as all meetings and events.
Applicant's Name
Leadership Roles

Leadership roles are available to new and returning TAB members. Roles include President, Vice President, Secretary, and Social Media Officer.

Officer meetings will take place weekly, 30 minutes prior to each general board meeting, at 4:30pm.

In addition to the officer meetings, leadership roles require additonal time commitment to the TAB.

TAB Officer Roles & Responsibilities
- President (Returning members only)
  - Presides over meetings and guides group in decision making.
  - Creates agenda with officers’ input prior to general meeting.
  - Creates and keeps track of project/event committees.
  - Keeps communication with other leadership and advisors regarding important business.
  - Represents group as a whole to the community.
- Vice President (Returning members only)
  - Fills in for President in absentia.
  - Co-creates agenda with officers prior to general meeting.
  - Sends out/post reminders about meeting times and locations.
  - Manage Youth Council Gmail inbox (officialpayc@gmail.com) and ensure prompt communication.
  - Holds members accountable by keeping track of and sending reminders about action items.
- Secretary (All members)
  - Takes minutes of all meetings.
  - Co-creates agenda with officers prior to general meeting.
  - Uploads minutes to Google Drive within 48 hours (2 days) of meeting.
  - Takes and reports attendance to advisors.
- Public Information Officers (All members)
  - Design flyers and social media campaigns for events
  - Co-creates agenda with officers prior to general meeting
  - Collaborate with webmaster on publicizing events
  - Update social media platforms (MP Teen Services Facebook and Instagram)
  - Determines marketing schedule and ensures all members are posting events and projects to their social media accounts
  - Review to make sure all websites are updated with the current information
- Outreach Specialist (All members)
  - Create social media post to create engagement and increase social media following
  - Manages and continue to update distributions list
  - Build connections and partnerships, reaching out to individuals or organizations to promote current and ongoing events, workshops, and/or initiatives.
  - Review and analyze current marketing strategies and determines any improvements necessary.
  - Responsible for updating and providing upcoming event, workshops, and/or initiatives information to other Palo Alto Teen Groups (TAC, TLAB, ACTL, TAB, etc.).
Commitment Policy:
Elected officers are expected to fulfull the roles and responsibilities for their position listed above. If an officer is found not being committed and fulfilling their responsibilities, they will receive up to two warnings via email from the Board Advisors. Upon receving the third and final warning, the officer will automatically be removed from the leadership board, and their position will be up for re-election at the following TAB meeting. No exceptions or negotiations will be made.
I have read the information regarding Teen Advisory Board's Leadership Roles & Commitment Policy. I understand that if I choose to run for an officer position and I get elected, I am expected to attend all officer meetings and fulfill all responsibilities for the position I am elected for.
Applicant's Name

2026-2027 Teen Advisory Board Application
Name

First NameLast Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Cell Number

Area CodePhone Number
Email
example@example.com
Birthdate

MonthDayYear
Date
High School
Grade level entering Fall 2026
Shirt Size (Adults)
Volunteer Experience
(Optional)
Name of Organization
Name of Supervisor
Duties
Name of Organization
Name of Supervisor
Duties
Reference

Please have reference email letter of recommendation directly to teenadvisoryboard@paloalto.gov. Letters of recommendation from family members or directly from applicants will not be accepted. Returning members are exempt from providing a Letter of Recommendation, and their previous term's contribution will be used instead.
One-Minute Video

Record a one-minute video introducing yourself and explaining why you would like to be part of the Teen Advisory Board, and what makes you qualified.
Upload Video*

Browse Files

Cancelof
*If your file type is not supported, or if you are having difficulty uploading your video, please upload your video to Google Drive (or an alternate supporting platform) and paste the link below. Be sure to make the video file public so we don't need to request viewing access.

2026-2027 Teen Advisory Board Application

Short Answer Questions (150 words maximum per question)
The Teen Advisory Board works to create intentional, unique, engaging, and fun events and activities for teens in the high school community in Palo Alto. If you could create any event for teens, what would it be, and why?

maximum 150 words0/150
Tell us about a challenge or setback you faced. How did you deal with it, and what did you learn from the experience?

maximum 150 words0/150
As a Teen Advisory Board member, how would you plan and promote an event to make sure it’s successful and well-attended? What matters more: an exciting idea or strong marketing? Explain your answer.
maximum 150 words
Describe a time where you worked on a team. Were you more a follower or a leader? Why?

maximum 150 words0/150
Tell us something interesting about you

maximum 150 words0/150
List your commitments (other than school work) for the 2026-2027 school year

maximum 150 words0/150
Should be Empty: