In 1976, NRECA created the Youth Consulting Board to extend the impact of local and statewide youth programs beyond the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. In 1998, the initiative evolved into the Youth Leadership Council, reflecting a renewed focus on developing leadership, advocacy and communication skills among outstanding students.
To serve on the Youth Leadership Council, delegates must first participate in Youth Tour, where they are selected by their state to represent their peers on the national council. Together, these 45 delegates form a network of young leaders committed to service, collaboration and the cooperative difference.
Throughout the yearlong program, YLC delegates take part in workshops and experiences that strengthen their understanding of the cooperative business model, grassroots advocacy and careers in public service. They learn to lead with confidence, speak with purpose, and connect their co-ops’ values to the challenges facing their communities.
Every delegate also writes and delivers a speech about their Youth Tour experience, sharpening public speaking skills that will serve them for years to come. Along the way, they build lasting friendships, gain hands-on leadership experience and become part of a legacy that continues to inspire young people nationwide.
The Youth Leadership Council is more than a program; it’s a launchpad for future cooperative advocates, innovators and changemakers who embody the power of community and leadership.
How it works
Are you curious about what the program entails? Take a look at the schedule below:
June 14-22, 2026 | YLC delegates are selected and announced at the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour!
July 20-24, 2026 | YLC delegates return to D.C. for a weeklong training called “Basecamp.” This week is designed to equip delegates with the resources they need for their year of service. Programming focuses on strengthening delegates’ leadership, public speaking, advocacy and communication skills, building strong connections with fellow YLC members, NRECA’s senior leaders, and their local and statewide cooperatives, and educating them on the cooperative industry and their role in advocating for rural America. The program is composed of four days of hands-on workshops, meetings with NRECA’s leaders and team-building activities.
August 2026-February 2027 | Delegates participate in monthly virtual “checkpoints” where they hear from guest speakers, participate in more leadership development trainings and work with their local co-ops to host Co-op Month projects and present their speeches for national spokesperson.
March 2027 | The YLC program’s “Summit” is at NRECA’s PowerXchange and TechAdvantage. During PowerXchange, delegates are recognized on stage for their year of service, and one delegate is chosen to serve as the national spokesperson and address cooperative leaders during a general session. Attendees also hear inspiring keynote speakers, attend cutting-edge breakout sessions and explore the Expo floor! The 2027 PowerXchange and TechAdvantage will be held in San Diego, California, Feb. 12-17.
Are you a Youth Tour delegate interested in applying? Here are the responsibilities:
- Return to D.C. for “Basecamp” from July 20-24, 2026.
- Attend virtual monthly meetings from August 2026 through February 2027.
- Complete a National Co-op Month activity in partnership with your local co-op or statewide association. Check out some previous projects here!
- Draft, present and record a speech as your submission to be selected for the national spokesperson! Check out some previous speeches here and here!
The national spokesperson
A panel of NRECA judges selects one national spokesperson and runner-up each year to serve as the council’s unifying voices. The national spokesperson addresses the over 6,000 attendees at NRECA’s PowerXchange and TechAdvantage and returns the following year to address delegates at the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
Please take a look at Maggie Martin, the 2025 national spokesperson from Mississippi, and her address in Atlanta.
Questions?
Are you a cooperative or public power district, and was your student selected for the YLC? Visit cooperative.com for resources and more information. For delegates interested in applying or parents with questions, you can email Cale McCall, NRECA’s Youth Programs manager, at YouthPrograms@NRECA.coop for more information.