Why should organizations sponsor local youth to attend the ACCA Youth Leadership Program?
The ACCA Co-operative Youth Leadership Program transforms youth into confident, knowledgeable and open minded young leaders. The volunteer staff and returning participants encourage an atmosphere of compassion for peers, for the planet and provokes new perspectives on a variety of issues that affect the participant’s community. By sponsoring a youth to attend this eye opening experience, you are empowering them to create their own path in life, and to lead their friends, their 4-H groups, their schools, their communities and everyone they know down the road to a better and brighter world.
It may sound too good to be true – a week in the Rocky Mountains and hundreds of youth return home ready to tackle anything. Introverted individuals, team captains, and class clowns all have a place in the ACCA Co-operative Youth Leadership Program and by sponsoring them to attend, you are giving them a sense of belonging during a stage of their life where most feel uncertain and self-conscious. The experience is not just about idealistic youth with dreams; the Youth Leadership Program teaches youth tools to:
- problem solve
- work in groups
- reflect on themselves
- speak confidently in public
- lead and listen
- accept others
- understand differences
This program motivates youth with living examples of how local co-operative organizations are influential key players in building and maintaining communities which reflects positively on sponsors. These participants come back from the program with an understanding of the co-op difference and the benefits and responsibilities of membership. Many of these youth will become active members in your co-op and active volunteers and influencers in their community. This week-long experience is the catalyst for youth realizing the possibilities for their future and the future of our world.
Why should organizations sponsor their staff to attend the ACCA Youth Leadership Program?
The ACCA Co-operative Youth Leadership Program is a unique experience that evolves an individual at any age. Volunteer staff range from ‘juniors’ just out of high school to experienced leaders with decades of history in the program. Even the most outgoing newcomers are challenged in some way; the opportunities for pushing comfort zones, developing patience and maintaining positive can-do attitudes are endless. The ACCA Co-operative Youth Leadership Program is guaranteed to make a difference in your staff. Volunteer staff share an indescribable bond with their staff team and are encouraged and pushed to:
- develop flexibility and adaptability in changing situations
- practice and enhance presentation skills
- make responsible and quick decisions
- mentor and inspire youth and other volunteer staff members
- share their knowledge of local industry and co-ops
- become a unique leader and listener
- consistently try new things and trust others
The volunteer staff who share a week with dozens of youth always leave with a rekindled spark in their hearts. This spark is unique to each volunteer but always brings them back to work empowered, rejuvenated and believing in their purpose and contributions to their corporation and community. The ACCA Co-operative Youth Leadership Program is also a great networking opportunity among co-operative organizations in Alberta. Volunteer Staff teams often stay in touch throughout the year and keep each other looking on the brighter side of things. The experience of this program at the base of the Rocky Mountains gives adults a breath of fresh air and an inimitable chance to make a difference to the lives of youth and to reflect on themselves as role models in their community.
