September 2005

Young Cooperators Learn, Have Fun at Summer Leadership Conference

Walton EMC sponsored five local high school students at the annual Georgia Cooperative Council Youth Leadership Conference recently held in Covington.

Five local students attended the Georgia Cooperative Youth Council Leadership Conference on July 18-20 in Covington.   Representing Walton EMC was (front, left to right) Caitlin Higginbotham, Courtney Brooks, (back, left to right) Charlie Chandler, Spencer Tompkins and Shawn Whitley.

Courtney Brooks and Charlie Chandler of Walton County, Caitlin Higginbotham and Shawn Whitley of Oconee County and Spencer Tompkins of Newton County participated in the three-day event that promotes and increases students' awareness of cooperatives. The conference also builds the students' leadership skills through training, presentations and team-building exercises.

Students had fun enjoying water games, ice cream socials and other recreational activities offered by the State FFA-FCCLA center.

One of the conference's highlights is the Congressional Insight Workshop. A simulation gives students the opportunity to serve a two-year term as a new Congressional legislator, complete with demands an elected official faces.

“I liked hearing about all the different co-ops and what they do. I also liked all the people and the games we played,” said one student.

The Georgia Cooperative Council is a non-profit cooperative association that includes membership from electric, marketing, supply, financial, telephone and service cooperatives.

More Information:  Georgia Cooperative Council

<back>