The annual WECA Youth Leadership Congress (YLC) is a dynamic three-day event sponsored by Wisconsin's electric cooperatives and facilitated by WECA. It is an unique opportunity for youth across Wisconsin to develop their leadership skills while learning the purpose, operation, and scope of the cooperative business.

What will you do at YLC?

• See what makes the cooperative business model different and successful and apply this knowledge to fun and challenging cooperative activities.
• Work together with other youth leaders from around Wisconsin to demonstrate the power and value of cooperation.
• Identify and develop your own leadership skills.
• Learn some of the important history that has shaped today’s cooperatives.
• Discuss cooperative careers with professionals in the industry.
• Be entertained and challenged by highly acclaimed motivational speakers who understand teens and explore topics important and relevant in your life.
• Experience college life at a University of Wisconsin campus!

A few things that make this conference different:

This is a by-teens, for-teens cooperative leadership conference! It is planned and developed by a youth board elected at the previous year’s event.

• Attendees don't pay. They are sponsored by their local electric cooperative.
• Students spend three days on a college campus and experience a typical college environment, complete with living in the residence halls, attending sessions throughout campus, and even experiencing UW-River Falls' dining service.  (Hint: Do NOT miss the ice cream.)
• Finally, attendees elected to the youth board will not only plan the next conference their way; they also have the opportunity to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., the following June.

​Who can apply?

• Oakdale Electric Cooperative will sponsor up to six students per high school to attend the 2020 YLC at UW-River Falls, July 14-16, 2020. 
• Student must be a son or daughter (or under legal guardianship) of an active member of OEC residing in the same household.
• Student must be entering his/her senior year of high school in the fall 2020 at one of our 12 area high schools: Brookwood, Mauston, Necedah, Nekoosa, New Lisbon, Pittsville, Reedsburg Area, Royall, Sparta, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, and Wonewoc.

​Interested?

• Registration materials are available at each respective high school guidance office. 
• The high school is responsible for selecting their student representatives. 

More Information?

• Contact Deana Protz, YLC Coordinator, with any additional questions.