Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1338005484
Applicant Information
Name Madeline N Chang
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
16 years
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
No
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Yes
Madeline Chang
Office Use Only
Date Received:
__________
Voter registration
verified:
Office Use Only
Date Received: __________
Voter registration verified:
On: ___________________
By: ___________________
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By: ___________________
4/24/25
N/A
MH
Briefly describe what you learned
by watching or attending a
meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you
suggest?
From attending a City Council meeting, I noticed that while many important issues are covered, the discussions can be long-winded and repetitive. Although it's important that everyone has their voice heard, it can sometimes slow down progress and dilute the key points. I would suggest improving meeting efficiency by setting stricter time limits for comments and encouraging speakers to stay on-topic. The clerk could also provide a short summary of what was said on the screen (both for online and in-person), at the end of each item, so the public can better understand decisions. To make meetings more efficient and accessible, I'd suggest introducing a few tools to better engage the public. First, allowing public input through pre-meeting online forms or surveys could help gather community feedback ahead of time, reducing repetition during live sessions. This is especially helpful for youth members who may be unable to stay for the entierety of the meeting, if they have school the next day. For complex agenda items, short pre-recorded videos explaining the topic would help residents understand the issues before tuning in.
This could also be in a text format. Another idea is to createa dedicated page on the city's website to track public suggestions - showing whether an idea was implemented, discussed further, or paused - to improve transparency. During meetings, a real-time fact-checking sidebar or livenote could explain terms, policies, or past decisions being referenced. Finally, a "Meeting Highlights Digest" shared via email or social media the next day would make the outcomes and information about what was discussed more accessible for people who couldn't attend.
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Human Relations Commission
Apply for another board or
commission?1
Yes
Second Choice Sustainability Commission
Applicant Qualifications
Madeline Chang
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I'm passionate about making local government more accessible, inclusive, and representative - especially for youth and underrepresented communities. The Human Relations
Commission's focus on equity, inclusion, and community-building aligns closely with the advocacy work I've done through climate organizing, education reform, and civic engagement. I see this as a chance to bring fresh ideas to the table and uplift the voices that are often left out. I'm also excited to learn from others on the commission and contribute to projects that genuinely make a difference in people's everyday lives
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
I bring a strong mix of leadership, communication, and
community outreach skills to the table. Through my work in local campaigns and school district-wide initiatives, I have learned how to follow through with ideas and work with a variety of people. I'm especially skilled at breaking down complex topics so they're easier to understand - whether that's through public-facing graphics, clear writing, or organizing youth panels. I also have experience coordinating large groups of volunteers and leading projects focused on equity, education, and climate justice. Most importantly, I bring a youth perspective and a commitment to amplifying community voices that aren't always heard in government spaces.
Madeline Chang
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
To effectively advise the City Council, I would start by thoroughly researching the issues at hand - including reviewing relevant data, hearing from subject-matter experts, and understanding community perspectives. I believe it's important to listen actively during public comment, especially to underrepresented voices, and to ask thoughtful questions that help clarify how policies will affect different groups. I would also begin by reviewing policy proposals through both an equity and impact lens, asking who benefits, who's left out, and how the policy supports long-term inclusion. I'd also suggest organizing occasional listening sessions or focus groups with community members, especially from underserved neighborhoods, to gather deeper insights beyond a more formal public comment.
To stay informed and transparent, I'd propose creating a brief summary of commission recommendations for the public - making our advice more accessible and increasing accountability. This can be published on social media for more accessibility. Lastly, I'd collaborate with student leaders and local organizations to gather youth and community input early in the policy process, not just after a proposal is finalized. That way, we can deliver recommendations that better serve our community.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
N/A
Madeline Chang
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I have been actively involved in a range of community activities and civic organizations, aiming to create a positive impact and engage others in meaningful change. As the founder of the Sunnyvale Youth Advisory, I've worked alongside other youth to voice youth concerns and advocate for policies that better serve young people in our community. We have worked on various community projects, including the creation of an after school literacy intervention program for elementary schoolers, conversion of invasive species to natives, and more.
My experience extends to political campaigns, where I supported Evan Low's congressional campaign and Patrick Ahrens' campaign for State Assembly. In these roles, I helped with event coordination, voter outreach, and organizing volunteers. I also served as an Intern Manager for the Santa Clara Democratic Party, where I led phone-banking efforts, coordinated events, and conducted research on sister districts to guide strategy. I played a key role in organizing the Youth Takeover event, empowering young people to have a voice in local politics and advocating for youth-driven resolutions.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Human Relations Commission
Category One: I'm a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
Madeline Chang
What do you think are major
equity challenges facing the
Sunnyvale community?
Major equity challenges facing the Sunnyvale community include disparities in transportation access, particularly for students, and unequal distribution of resources across different neighborhoods.
Many students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, face significant barriers to reliable transportation, limiting their access to educational opportunities, extracurricular activities, and even employment. This gap often exacerbates existing
inequalities and restricts social mobility.
Another key issue is unequal access to community resources, particularly educational support and extracurricular programs.
While some areas of Sunnyvale have a lot of access to enrichment activities, others face large shortages. To solve this, I'd suggest expanding after-school programs and tutoring services in underserved areas, ensuring that all students have access to the same opportunities regardless of their neighborhood. Creating stronger partnerships with nonprofits and local businesses could help bridge this gap and make resources more accessible to all.
Describe your experience working
with historically marginalized
communities. How have your
actions benefited these
communities?
My experience working with historically marginalized communities is rooted in my involvement with an afterschool intervention program designed to support students from low-income and underserved backgrounds. I worked closely with students who faced academic challenges due to factors like limited access to resources and lack of personalized support. By developing new and engaging strategies to make learning more interactive and accessible, I helped these students improve their academic performance in areas like reading and math.
One of the key strategies I implemented was creating hands-on, fun learning activities that not only helped students grasp difficult concepts but also sparked their interest in learning. An example of this would be a "journal" the students are all keeping that they will be able to take home to their parents. This approach helped build their confidence and encouraged more active participation in class. Through this work, I contributed to giving these students a stronger foundation for success, demonstrating how creative, engaging solutions can be impactful in addressing educational disparities.
Sustainability Commission
Category One: I’m a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
Madeline Chang
Sustainability is a new and
emerging concern in many
communities. What do you think
are the primary sustainability
policy issues this commission will
be addressing over the next few
years?
Over the next few years, I believe one of the primary
sustainability policy issues this commission will be addressing is water conservation and management. With ongoing droughts and climate change, ensuring that our water resources are used efficiently and equitably will be crucial. This includes developing policies to promote water conservation in both residential and commercial sectors, as well as enhancing the infrastructure for water recycling and reuse.
Additionally, the commission may need to address issues like energy efficiency, particularly in buildings and transportation, as well as waste reduction. As the community grows, finding ways to reduce waste, encourage recycling, and transition to renewable energy sources will be key in making Sunnyvale a more
sustainable city. I also see potential for focusing on green spaces and urban planning to ensure the city continues to grow while preserving its environmental health.
Description Area View the Climate Action Playbook
Have you read the above version
of the Climate Action Playbook?
Yes
What are your thoughts on the
Playbook? How might the actions
("Plays") be improved?
One improvement could be to focus on expanding access to clean energy and sustainable transportation options for low-income and marginalized residents, who often face barriers to adopting green technologies. Additionally, public outreach and education on the Playbook's initiatives could be strengthened to engage a broader range of residents and ensure that everyone understands the benefits of these actions and how they can contribute.
Another area of improvement could be to incorporate stronger accountability measures. Ensuring that progress is regularly tracked, reported, and adjusted based on results will help maintain momentum and make sure that the Playbook's goals are actually being met. It might also be beneficial to create more localized strategies within the Playbook that address specific needs of different neighborhoods, ensuring a tailored approach to sustainability.
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Madeline Chang
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Madeline Chang
Date Apr 24, 2025
Madeline Chang