YouthVoice 2010

August 27-28 marked the inaugural North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Youth Summit –YouthVoice 2010, which was held in Greenville, North Carolina.   Held in conjunction with the annual county commissioners meeting and sponsored by the NCACC, over 80 youth and adults from 74 counties attended the event.  During YouthVoice 2010, attendees had a chance to interact with County Commissioners, attend the annual Horn of Plenty event sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension, participate in workshop sessions and attend NC SPIN. 

In addition, the youth attendees debated and decided on the top ten issues facing youth.  These issues stemmed from ones that 4-H’ers and youth in every county identified and compiled.  Youth then met in groups to prioritize the top ten issues in their Extension district.  One youth from every county was invited to attend YouthVoice 2010.  The Richmond County delegate was Nathan Ezzell, son of Randy & Tracy Ezzell of Rockingham.

One youth per county was invited to attend YouthVoice 2010 and bring their district issues. From over 60 issues, the delegation attending YouthVoice 2010 determined the top 10 issues facing youth in North Carolina.  The State 4-H Council officer team shared the top ten issues with the County Commissioners.

YouthVoice 2010 was developed because of NCACC’s 2010 President Mary Accor’s commitment to youth and to developing youth leaders.  The event was sponsored by the NCACC. North Carolina 4-H Youth Development and North Carolina Cooperative Extension were the lead partners and led the efforts to plan the conference and organize YouthVoice 2010. 

North Carolina 4-H has over 240,926 youth enrolled in the program as well as 21,200 youth and adult volunteers. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

- Written by Sarah Kotzian, State 4-H Office, NCSU -