WECA Youth Leadership Congress
Q: Young people living with AIDS, dealing with abusive relationships, teenage drug abuse... sound like topics for a talk show?
A: Nope. These are a few of the tough, current issues that are addressed at the WECA Youth Leadership Congress.
This conference is one of the premier electric cooperative youth programs in the nation, with more than 6,000 high school participants since it began in 1963. The purpose of YLC is clear and our approach is simple. First of all, YLC is developed by and for teenagers. Their involvement in every stage of the planning process means that this conference is pertinent and relevant to the concerns of today's youth. Our challenging, thought-provoking speakers conduct a variety of powerful seminar sessions -- all highly interactive -- on hard-hitting, critical topics. In these sessions, participants not only find a myriad of opportunities to learn about cooperatives, but they also examine and discuss real-life issues face-to-face, get a taste of college life, and, of course, have plenty of fun along the way.
The primary goals of the program are two-fold:
- To identify and develop leadership skills in today's youth.
- To facilitate a better understanding of both the concept of Cooperative and also the basic workings of cooperative business.
During the program, seven students will be elected by their peers to the Youth Board. The Youth Board members plan and help conduct the next YLC, as well as participating in a series of other exciting events during their one year term. Serving as a Youth Board member is an excellent opportunity to develop important leadership and communication skills.
So, did you need one more reason to attend the Youth Leadership Congress? Well we've got it: Students participating in YLC will be eligible to win a scholarship worth up to $1,000!
For more information about WECA's Youth Leadership Congress, contact WECA at 608-258-4400. The WECA Youth Leadership Congress is a terrific way to start your summer.