Youth Leadership Council
Are you ready for the ultimate youth leadership experience?
During Youth Tour, you’ll have an opportunity to be selected to represent Pennsylvania 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.
ABOUT THE YLC CONFERENCE
July 2025 | Washington, D.C.
The YLC representative from each state will return 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.
ABOUT THE NRECA ANNUAL MEETING
February 2026 | Place TBD
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.
WHAT IT COSTS
The costs for travel, meals and housing for YLC members are covered by NRECA, the local cooperative and PREA - the statewide organization. The only cost to the student will be for incidentals (drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc.).
HOW TO APPLY FOR YLC
Students selected to attend Youth Tour will be required to attend a couple mandatory meetings at the cooperative in Cambridge Springs. If interested, simply inform the Youth Tour Coordinator during one of these meetings. You may also be approached by the Coordinator to compete for this extraordinary opportunity. The student who wins the Youth Ambassador Kahoot challenge at the end of the Ambassador program will be offered this opportunity before it is opened up to the other Youth Tour students.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
We will hold a YLC election while on Youth Tour. Every YLC candidate will have an opportunity to upload a short video or write an essay promoting yourself for this prestigious position. The selection committee 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.). You will also meet with the selection committee on Sunday evening. 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!
For more information, call Amy Wellington, YT Coordinator, M - F, 7am - 3:30pm, at 800-352-0014, or email anytime.