Youth Leadership Council

Each state participating in Youth Tour selects one student to join the Youth Leadership Council (YLC)—a national group of outstanding young leaders.

Originally created in 1976 as the Youth Consulting Board, the YLC was restructured in 1998 to focus on leadership, advocacy, and public speaking. Coordinated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the YLC offers workshops on:

• The cooperative business model
• Grassroots advocacy
• Community service
• Careers in public service

Each YLC member writes and delivers a speech about Youth Tour. One student is selected as the national spokesperson and presents at the NRECA Annual Meeting.

What Does Iowa’s YLC Representative Do?

• Returns to Washington, D.C. from July 20-24 for advanced leadership training and speech coaching.
• Participates in virtual meetings with other YLC members.
• Attends PowerXchange 2027 (NRECA's Annual Meeting) in San Diego, *DATE TBD*—an all-expense-paid trip!
• Receives a $1,000 college scholarship from the Pioneers Trust Fund.
• Presents their YLC speech at the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ Annual Meeting in December.

Iowa’s Youth Tour Director will accompany the Iowa YLC delegate to PowerXchange.

How to Apply

• Deadline: May XX, 2026
• Application Form: Click here to apply
• Video Submission: Record a short video answering:
  “How does your local electric cooperative demonstrate the Cooperative Principles in your community?”
  Upload your video here: Dropbox Submission Link