Annual Civics Forum in Buffalo Grove tries new format

The annual Civics Forum that will take place the night of Oct. 24 at Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd., will try a new concept this year.

The high school students participating will be assigned roles as department heads, village clerk, village president and board members, and will decide on the merits of real projects.

The idea is that each department will write up an agenda item for a budget proposal for up to $2,000. The students will hold a mock meeting and debate the items presented them by the students assigned to each department, then decide how to spend the money.

Deciding on money for real projects will allow more interaction and engagement, and give the students a broader understanding of what the village does on a day-to-day basis.

The students will come to the village hall one night and meet with the department head to review the budget request and get more acquainted with their assigned department, or with board members to talk about how to evaluate proposals, what to look for, the types of questions to ask and Robert's Rules of Order. Students will then attend that night's board meeting.

The night of the Civics Forum, the students will present and argue for their budget item. Then the mock board will debate proposals and vote on how to spend the money, with the option of choosing one proposal or splitting up the funding allocation.

The village board and staff will be present to give guidance and assistance. Their is a dinner prior to the Civics Forum.