In March of 2004, the community of Brandon entered into a Strategic Planning process, coordinated by the City of Brandon. A group of community members determined 9 key areas of interest and corresponding future statements. From these future statements, community members with interest or experience in each future statement area were brought together to assess where each group was presently, and where they wanted to go. The Youth component was brought together in May 2005, consisting of 9 members representing 7 different community organizations. The group spent two meetings brainstorming, and within one month felt that “youth” had a role / function in each of the eight remaining areas, not only in their own category. The group also felt that in order for the youth component to take any action or forward movement, youth input was needed.