Youth Leadership Council

During Youth Tour, you’ll have an opportunity to be selected to represent your state on the NRECA Youth Leadership Council (YLC). If selected, you’ll return to Washington, D.C. for the YLC Conference in July, and attend the NRECA Annual Meeting the following spring. You’ll have a unique opportunity to build your leadership and public speaking skills, enhance your knowledge of the cooperative form of business, and build life-long friendships with other student leaders from across the country.

July 25-29, 2020   |   Washington, D.C.

The YLC representative from each state will fly back to Washington, D.C. in July for the YLC Conference, where they’ll gain a broader understanding of electric cooperatives and the energy industry. The YLC members meet with NRECA leaders and Youth Tour alumni who work in Washington, D.C. and on Capitol Hill. Each student will deliver a 5-7 minute speech to their peers about what inspired them during Youth Tour. A YLC National Spokesperson will be selected to address the membership at the NRECA Annual Meeting and to address the Youth Tour delegates the following year.

Feb. 20-24, 2021   |   San Diego, CA

YLC representatives play an important role during the NRECA Annual Meeting the following spring. They will represent their home states on stage, and have a hands-on experience with virtually every facet of the meeting, including the resolutions process and helping co-op members communicate with their legislators.

The costs for travel, meals and housing for YLC members are covered by NRECA, the local cooperative and your state association of electric cooperatives. The only cost to the student will be for incidentals (drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc.).

Students selected to attend Youth Tour will receive a packet of information in the mail, including an optional Youth Leadership Council application. If interested, simply fill out the application and return it with the other required Youth Tour documents.

We will hold a YLC election while on Youth Tour. Every YLC candidate will have an opportunity to briefly (2-4 minutes) address their Youth Tour peers — to tell them why they would make a good YLC representative, and to ask for their vote. During your presentation your peers will be considering things like your demonstrated leadership ability (why you want to be the YLC representative, activities/achievements that illustrate your ability, etc.) and how you communicated your thoughts (confidence, persuasiveness, etc.). Remember to be supportive of the other YLC candidates — even if you don’t get elected to YLC, you’ll still have an amazing Youth Tour experience!