Youth Leadership Council Application

BEFORE YOU APPLY, confirm you can:

Attend a 5-10 minute Zoom interview during the timeframe of June 1 – 10. Hint for those interviewing: know the cooperative principles!

Participate in virtual meetings throughout 2022 and engage in leadership training, polish your public speaking skills (yes, you'll be writing and giving a speech), attend co-op forums, and show your commitment to community by participating in activities like voter registration drives.

Attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative's Annual Meeting. The Youth Leadership Council experience will officially commence at the 2023 NRECA Annual Meeting, held in Nashville, TN. Here, the group will spend a few days reflecting on the experiences they’ve had throughout the year, attend informational and entertaining conference sessions alongside electric cooperative leaders from throughout the country, and solidify lifelong friendships and connections! 

The dates for this all-expense paid trip to Nashville is March 4-8.  Iowa's Youth Tour Director, Shelly York, will travel to and from Nashville with Iowa's YLC.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 27, 2022.

I/We give my/our consent for him/her to participate in the Youth Leadership Conference sponsored by and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

I/We understand that this participation involves travel within and outside Iowa, and that at times my/our son/daughter may be traveling and/or participating in activities without the direct supervision of a chaperone.

I/We authorize and direct NRECA, through their staffs and volunteer chaperones, to direct and supervise my/our son/daughter.  I/We further request and authorize, and NRECA, through their staffs and volunteer chaperones, to secure any medical or other emergency services the said staffs and volunteer chaperones in their reasonable discretion may deem necessary or desirable for my/our son/daughter during his/her participation in the Youth Leadership Conference.                                                                                                  

I/We hereby release and agree to hold harmless NRECA, their officers, members, staffs, and associated organizations together with their heirs, successors, or assigns from any and all causes of action, claims, damages, costs, expenses, compensation, personal injury, property loss, or any other loss or injury related to participation by my/our son/daughter during his/her participation in the Youth Leadership Conference.                                                                                        

I/we hereby grant permission to National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to use photographs, likenesses, and/or videotape images of my/our son/daughter for publicity purposes related to this activity.

Every YLC applicant must submit a short video (recorded on your cell phone is fine – we are not looking at production value, but substance) that answers this question: “How does your local electric cooperatives demonstrate the Cooperative Principles your community?” Upload your video to this drop box: https://www.dropbox.com/request/yU6FEeOwI8WsDynmBsfp.

To help you out, here are the Seven Cooperative Principles:

1. Voluntary, Open Ownership
   Open to all without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination. You may shop, you may join, and you may leave the co-op at any time.
2. Democratic Owner Control
   One Owner, one vote. Your voice will be heard.
3. Owner Economic Participation
   Owners contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. The economic benefits of a cooperative operation are returned to the Owners, reinvested in the co-op, or used to provide Owner services. You control the capital.
4. Autonomy and Independence
   Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their Owners. Together, you are autonomous. 
5. Education, Training and Information
   Cooperatives provide education and training for Owners, so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation. You can develop yourself into the consumer you want to be. 
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
   Cooperatives serve their Owners most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national and international structures. You are more successful when you cooperate with others who know how to cooperate. 
7. Concern for The Community
   While focusing on Owner needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their Owners. You can do something for the community even as you keep succeeding. 

We will schedule 5-10 minute Zoom interviews with each of the applicants during the timeframe of June 1 – 10. We will make the final decisions and announce Iowa’s YLC during the orientation on June 18. Hint for those interviewing: know the cooperative principles! ?

Scoring criteria:

• Activities and special honors: Involvement in school and community events          
• Extra-curricular activities: Extent of involvement
• Speaking skills: How well does the student communicate their ideas/answers?
• Cooperative knowledge

If you have any questions at all, please contact Shelly York at youthtour@iowarec.org.