Form Name: Boards and Commissions A
Unique ID: 1395187533
Applicant Information
Name Joshua A Charnota
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
10 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
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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?
No
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
Applicant Qualifications
Joshua Charnota
_____
_____
____
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By:
10/27/25
N/A
SB
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I'm applying to the Human Relations Commission because I want to bring a student perspective and help bridge the gap between the City of Sunnyvale and high school students in the FUHSD area. There are so many great city events and volunteer opportunities that students never hear about, and I want to make communication more open and accessible. As Class President of the Class of 2027 for two years, I've worked to connect students and create events that engage both teens and the broader community. One example is an intra-district event I co-led that brought together students from all five FUHSD schools. With over 150 attendees, I learned about legal documentation, professional communication, and how to unite people around shared goals.
That experience motivated me to keep building connections and promoting inclusive community engagement, which is something I hope to continue through the Human Relations Commission.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
I bring strong communication, marketing, and outreach skills, along with an outgoing and people-focused personality. As the student behind the Firebird Felipe Instagram account (2.5K+ followers and over 100K views), I've developed advanced social media and marketing strategies to build hype, increase
involvement, and connect with the community. As Class
President, I've also gained experience leading events,
collaborating with others, and promoting engagement across schools. I'm an extrovert who genuinely enjoys connecting with people, which I believe can help the Commission better reach and represent Sunnyvale's diverse residents.
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 serve on the Human Relations Commission, I would focus on amplifying community voices and ensuring a wide range of perspectives reach City Council. My experience in marketing and managing Instagram engagement has taught me how to
communicate ideas clearly and reach diverse audiences. As Class President and an outgoing leader, I'm comfortable connecting with people and turning feedback into action. One concrete step I'd take is launching a "Community Input Box" campaign, both online and in public spaces, where teens can share concerns or ideas about inclusion and civic life. This would make it easier for the Commission to identify trends and recommend solutions.
Joshua Charnota
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
As a current junior, I don't have any relative college degrees or majors, however I have numerous instances of experience that would enable me to be successful in this position. I've built strong leadership and communication skills through my roles as Class President, ASB leadership, and member of the PTSA
Communications, Student Engagement, and Fundraising
Commissions. I manage social media and marketing campaigns, including Instagram outreach, to engage students and the broader community. As Vice President of Interact Club, I've helped raise funds and promote service projects across Sunnyvale, and as President of the Tobacco Use Prevention Education program, I've led initiatives to promote health and awareness about nicotine use on campus. Additionally, I'm a certified lifeguard with over 120 volunteer hours, where I've developed teamwork, responsibility, and management skills.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
As of right now, I have over 1000 community service hours accumulated over the past five years. I volunteer through my church youth program and summer camp, supporting children and families. As Vice President of Interact Club, I organize fundraisers and community service projects, and as President of the Tobacco Use Prevention Education program, I promote healthier choices on campus. My experiences on the PTSA Communications, Student Engagement, and Fundraising
Commissions, have helped me to connect students and families to school initiatives. These roles have strengthened my leadership, but more importantly taught me the benefits of giving back to your community and involving yourself in something bigger than you.
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
Joshua Charnota
Category One: I'm a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
What do you think are major
equity challenges facing the
Sunnyvale community?
Within the Sunnyvale community, some equity challenges
specifically affecting teens include access to affordable opportunities. While many programs, extracurriculars, and enrichment activities exist, they can be costly and are not accessible to all students in the area. Specifically relating to club sports, collegiate programs, research opportunities, and SAT and AP exam resources. With college admissions becoming
increasingly competitive, students are seeking more
extracurricular and enrichment experiences; however, when these programs cost more than their monthly rent, a gap forms between students who can afford opportunities and those who cannot. Mental health resources are also limited, and students should be able to access support easily and confidentially, without fear or barriers. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure all teens have equal opportunities for personal growth, wellbeing, and community engagement.
Describe your experience working
with historically marginalized
communities. How have your
actions benefited these
communities?
I have supported historically marginalized communities through volunteer work and fundraising. For example, through my church summer camp, I helped lead a fundraising campaign that raised over $3,500 to support a mission in Honduras, providing resources and helping build homes for families in need. I've also organized local food drives and service projects through Interact Club, providing direct support to under-resourced community members. These experiences have taught me how to listen, mobilize resources, and take concrete actions that benefit communities who face systemic challenges.
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Description Area LGBTQIA+ Identity (LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and the “+” is an all-inclusive way to include additional terms used to describe one’s gender, romantic, and sexual identities for those who do not identify with heterosexuality or the gender binary.)
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Joshua Charnota
Do you speak a language other
than English?
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 Joshua Charnota
Date Oct 27, 2025
Joshua Charnota