Youth Leadership Conference Rescheduled For Oct. 20 Only at University of Richmond

September 27, 2001

YouthLead 2001, a youth leadership conference originally scheduled for Oct. 19-20 at the University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies, has been trimmed to a single day, Oct. 20.

Sue Robinson Sain, conference director, said the change was made as a result of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. The focus now will be on "leadership in the wake of Sept. 11," she explained. Friday's events, including a presentation by MTV's Dr. Drew, have been cancelled.

YouthLead 2001 is open to middle and high school students, as well as adults who work with youth. It will include sessions on youth and philanthropy, community service and leadership, diversity, voting and civic responsibility, school-based programs and creating successful boards involving youth.

The conference grew from a May 2000 Summit on Youth Leadership at the university that brought together executive directors of agencies and youth-service organizations. Organized by the Jepson School, Leadership Metro Richmond, The Children's Museum of Richmond and Youth Matters, the summit's findings included a vision that metro Richmond would become a national leader in youth leadership development by 2010.

"Adults don't listen to young people enough, and scholars and practitioners don't talk enough about best practices in teaching leadership, followership and stewardship to young people," Sain said. "We're mixing middle and high school students and college students, and mixing professors with police officers, program executives, K-12 teachers and parents for a new kind of educational experience."

Registration is $135 for adults and youth 16 and up and $60 for youth 15 and under. Financial aid is available for attendees under 18. The financial aid deadline is Oct. 20. Registration forms, scholarship applications and more details are at www.richmond.edu/academics/leadership/youthlead.