ROGERS CITY — Several Rogers City High School students may soon get an opportunity to have their voices heard about issues in their town.

A non-profit group, formed by a host of youngsters in Charlevoix, called Government for Tomorrow, is encouraging city government in Rogers City to include the students in its decision making process.

At its meeting Thursday, Government for Tomorrow founder Liam Dreyer made a pitch to the Parks and Recreation Commission to add a 10th or 11th grade student to the board. He did the same with the Rogers City Downtown Development Authority previously.

If things go as planned, both local governing bodies could add to their current make up.

Government for Tomorrow will recruit potential appointees at the high school, and make a recommendation to the city.

The candidates need approval from the Rogers City City Council to be appointed.

“We go into the area schools and find the student or students through applications, interviews and we have a selection committee that grades them on things like extracurricular activities and general speaking skills,” Dreyer said.

The students wouldn’t have voting rights after their appointment, but can share what other kids their age think about local recreational and business issues.They can take polls at school and in the community, and bring the results back to a meeting for consideration and discussion.

Rogers City City Manager Joe Hefele said involving the youth in local government is important for a couple reasons. He said their thoughts and opinions need consideration because the votes made by council today, impact youth when they get older.

Getting kids involved in the decision making process now, could lead to them voting on key issues down the road when they are on a board or committee.

“We want to hear that group’s voice when we make policy or a decision,” Hefele said. “Also, we hope it could motivate them to run later and be on voting boards.”

Hefele said the city will review its policies to make sure adding a person to the DDA and Parks and Recreation Commission is allowable, and Rogers City Area Schools is going to do the same.

There is no established timeline to when the kids could join the boards.

State Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, knows the importance of exposing today’s youth to politics and government. In 2019, she invited former Rogers City High School student Caitlynn Shadbolt as her guest to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address in Lansing, and is in favor of giving kids a chance to flex their political muscles.

Allor said kids need to know that their elected officials want their input and care about what they say.

“Our youth need to realize they can reach out to their senators, representatives and local leaders, and getting them involved at a young age is important because they may remain involved,” Allor said. “We, as adults, need to listen to them. Hear what they are saying, because there is an age gap and they have different thoughts and views.”