Editor’s note: This commentary is by Shane Rogers, of Williston, and Elise Greaves, of Winooski, who are the co-directors of New Leaders Council – Vermont. They can be contacted at srogers@newleaderscouncil.org and egreaves@newleaderscouncil.org.
“Young people are leaving Vermont.”
If we had a nickel for every time we heard that phrase uttered from the lips of an elected official or talking head or political party or professional writer of questionable op-eds we, well, still wouldn’t have enough nickels to be able to pay off our student loans, but we digress.
Our names are Elise Greaves and Shane Rogers. One of us is a lifelong Vermonter and the other is transplant by way of Ohio. Both of us love this state, and are planting our roots here. We are also the directors of New Leaders Council – Vermont, a free progressive leadership training program that’s geared toward providing our generation — millennials — with the skills they need to build a progressive future at work and in their communities.
There is a lot of talk about the apparent exodus of young people from the state of Vermont. Yet, for whatever litany of reasons, most of the proposed solutions to this “problem” from communities, businesses, and organizations across the state tend to be lacking the input of the very generation that they claim to be geared towards. Which, in our humble opinion, seems like a pretty huge design flaw, right?
So, Vermont, what are we to do?
The solution is pretty simple to us: Help. Us. Lead.
It’s far past time for folks to shed their preconceived notions of millennials and stop holding grudges about all the things we have killed off. Because, if there is anything that we haven’t killed, it’s the drive to effect positive change in our communities, state, country, and world; we just need to be given the opportunity.
It’s for this exact reason that we are working to build up New Leaders Council of Vermont and bring together the next generation of progressive leaders in the state, aid them in honing the skills they’ll need to flourish in their jobs and work in their communities, and help them establish lifelong connections, partnerships, and friendships with like-minded individuals.
The NLC Institute is a free six-month intensive training program held one weekend every month that dives into everything from equity and diversity to communications to fundraising to staff and volunteer management and more. Trainings feature Vermonters who are experts in their field as well as experts from across the country. The upcoming NLC Institute begins in January and we are currently accepting applications for fellows.
As we enter our second year, we are super excited about the possibilities that New Leaders Council of Vermont presents, but the fact of the matter is we need your help to make it successful. If you’re truly dedicated to retaining young people, finding creative solutions to the issues in our state, and leaving the world a better place than you found it, then it’s time to invest in the work that us young people are doing to make us the leaders that this state needs.
How can you get involved?
- Executive directors, managers, business owners, community officials, or anyone that is working with young people — NOMINATE YOUR PEOPLE! Anyone you think may fit the bill for this type of program, throw their name into our orbit at www.newleaderscouncil.org/nominate
- Young folks – APPLY! We are working hard to build up a diverse class of people from all over the state and we want to hear from you. Visit www.newleaderscouncil.org/apply to begin your application today. (If you need help with the $30 application fee, let us know and we’ll work with you)
I leave you with the words of renowned philosopher Jeff Spicoli, “If I’m here and you’re here, doesn’t that make this our time?”
And if it’s our time then let’s get moving together to make this state the best that it can be.
