The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) was created to provide an extension of youth leadership activities available to states participating in the Youth Tour program. It is designed to provide participants with stronger leadership skills, presentation skills and a broader understanding of rural electric cooperatives.

All YLC members attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) PowerXChange meeting. This year's meeting will be held in San Antonio, Texas. As a YLC delegate, the schedule for attendance at this national event is March 1-6, 2024. NRECA's PowerXchange meeting hosts more than 12,000 rural electric leaders. YLC members assist NRECA staff during the event, attend educational seminars and participate in a variety of programs. They have an opportunity to meet with many influential people, including elected officials and NRECA’s board of directors, chief executive officers and administrative staff.

In addition, North Dakota’s YLC representative is also asked to attend the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting and give a report. The annual meeting will be held Feb. 13-14, 2024, in Bismarck. Once the annual meeting agenda is finalized, the date of the YLC report will be confirmed.

If you’re interested in applying for North Dakota’s YLC position, please complete the application and email it to Pamela Clark-Stein at pstein@ndarec.com by May 30. You will then have an opportunity to interview with a selection committee on Saturday, June 17, following the orientation session at NDAREC headquarters, 3201 Nygren Drive NW, Mandan. You will be advised of your interview time.