Coming Soon: NRECA’s 2008 Youth Tour
By Derrill Holly

When nearly 1,500 youth ambassadors come to the nation’s capital for NRECA’s 2008 Youth Tour June 13–19, technology will play a more prominent role in how they participate in the political process.

While in Washington, D.C., the students will vote in an interactive presidential preference poll conducted via cell phone text messaging. Most of the participants will be eligible to vote for the first time this November. 

“Hopefully, by using technology, we’ll capture their enthusiasm in the political process,” said Steve Uram, NRECA’s legislative affairs advisor.  The use of Internet technology through participation in the “Our Energy, Our Future” consumer campaign will also allow them to have their voice heard on America’s energy future.

“We want these young adults to understand that good climate policy balances environmental concerns with the need to build more generation, invest in technology and keep electricity costs within reach,” said Dena G. Stoner, NRECA’s vice president of government relations. “Achieving this balance will affect the future of these young people for the rest of their lives.”

Those issues will likely be raised when they visit their lawmakers on Capitol Hill as delegations of citizen lobbyists, Stoner said.

The students are being urged to talk about issues facing their co-ops when they return home. They’re also being encouraged to use text messaging and social networking Web sites to share these concerns with friends.

NRECA has created a public advocacy cause on Facebook to support the “Our Energy, Our Future” campaign and rally the tech-savvy consumer-members.

“We need to reach this generation, using the same tools they use,” said Uram. “We’re using technology and up-to-date communication strategies to make sure we reach the next generation of electric cooperative leaders.”

Reprinted with permission from the June 13, 2008 issue of Electric Co-op Today © National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.