Youth Leadership

What Is Youth Leadership?   Application (PDF)

The Chamber offers a two-year leadership development program for 11th and 12th grade students developed by a consortium of educational,  business, and political leaders with the goal of developing young leaders to model behavior and lead their peers in changing the prevailing student culture. The consortium includes the Superior School District, the Maple School District, the St Croix School District, Maranatha Academy, the University of Wisconsin-Superior, the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, the City of Superior, Douglas County, local law enforcement, local economic development agencies, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, and many members of the Superior ~ Douglas County Chamber of Commerce. This continuing consortium works with the Chamber to design and take part in the Youth Leadership Program.

The Youth Leadership Program encourages area youth to participate, to be engaged, and to facilitate understanding with their peers about community issues and opportunities. Eligible participants are selected from an application process that demonstrates a willingness to devote time and effort in learning about themselves and their community. Applicants are also required to get references from their school, two references from adults not related to them, and they need to write an essay on why they wish to become a participant in the program. References have to rate the applicant in areas such as responsibility, initiative, maturity, concern for others, persistence and drive, ability to work with others and communication skills.

This Youth Leadership Program has, for the past ten years, attracted over 310 students and started developing peer leaders to change the high school culture. These students come from all the high schools in Douglas County, Superior, Maple, St. Croix & Marantha Academy. Over a nine-month period, the Youth Leadership Program examines local community issues in politics, law enforcement, economic development, career education, county history, and local health and social services. This service learning experience puts juniors and seniors with community professionals, analyzing the problems that affect us. It is through a greater understanding of local problems that students can learn more about their abilities and the skills they possess to model behavior and change a cultural climate at their respective schools.

The Youth Leadership Partners have presented this program to registrants at the Mid-America Chamber Executives Conference, Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives and the WDPI Conference “Building the Heart of Successful Schools.” In 2007 we presented the Youth Leadership program at the “Higher Learning Commission’s 113th Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Junior Year Curriculum
Building Leaders

Opening Retreat: Explore and Examine Leadership

This retreat serves as an introduction to the program year. Students will participate in and explore group dynamics, team building, and decision-making and leadership concepts.  Participants will examine their own attitudes and experiences that make up a diverse community. (The seniors in the program that are part of the Community Outreach Team develop the agenda and activities for the day.)

Leadership Development
This program will introduce concepts, styles and characteristics of leadership, help students gain an awareness of their leadership styles and are able to identify qualities and attributes of other leaders. Part of the day will be interviewing community leaders asking them what leadership means to them.

"Healthcare"

Discussions, site visits and decision-making exercises may explore social responsibility, teen pregnancy, the homeless, child abuse, the welfare system, prejudice and other areas of human needs, health and services. This day is one where students will dig deep, feel and see the human side of the makeup of a community.

“Law enforcement”

An in-depth review of the justice system and juvenile crime, how laws are made and carried out that affect the system, and how city, county and state governments operate.

“Ethics – What line won’t use cross”

Each of us will be tested on what we truly believe and stand for in life. These “moments of truth” will vary for each of us, but when they arrive, they force us to make critical decisions about what we value – the principles we live by. Our integrity will be tested.

"Business and Economic Development: What moves us and shakes us"

This program explores the history of the area and how it fits economically. Students may visit with business leaders to discuss topics such as starting and owning a business, women and minorities in business, attracting new industry and other economic development issues and concerns.

"Youth Trusteeship and Celebration: We've only just begun!"

A time to reflect on the year and to establish priorities based on the Youth Leadership experience, to be challenged for the future and to celebrate with classmates and family members at a graduation event.

“Volunteer Day”

You will spend a day or evening volunteering in our community to understand and see what the needs are of those who are less fortunate

Selection Criteria

Applicants must be current sophomores who will be entering their junior year of high school in the following September. Potential participants are asked to complete an application as well as provide both a teacher and community reference. In addition, in order to be considered for the program, all students must have their principal’s approval and be in good standing in their respected high school with a GPA of at least 2.5.  In the selection process we hope to interview each applicant for the 2012-2013 Youth Leadership Program.  Applications are due to the Chamber office by 5 PM Friday, March 16th , 2012.

The Selec2ion Committee will select a diverse group of participants for the program based on the application and references.

Participants for the class will be notified of acceptance in April. Participants will be expected to attend the Excellence in Education Awards program as well as an orientation session which will be held in May.