You are invited to be a part of the 2005
of Sangamon and Menard Counties
Background Information:
In honor of its centennial, 4-H engaged more than 50,000 youth, adults, youth
development professionals and policy makers from all 50 states in nearly 2,000 local,
state, and national level conversations. This journey, called the National Conversation on
Youth Development in the 21st Century, produced more than 10,000 ideas on how to
develop a positive future for youth in our communities.
Locally, we identified many ideas too - many youth were interested in a chance to learn
about the responsibilities and leadership opportunities of local government. The Youth
Civic Leadership Academy of Sangamon and Menard Counties was created and the 2005
Academy is about to get underway!
Highlights of the Pilot Program:
 The Academy is collaborative program between the University of Illinois
Extension 4-H Youth Development program in Sangamon and Menard Counties
and other city/county youth groups.
 Ten sessions in all will be held – 5 classroom sessions supported by the “Today’s
Youth…Tomorrow’s Leaders” curriculum and guest speakers. And attendance at
4-5 various local government meetings to learn from groups in action. One
classroom session and attendance at one or more local government meetings will
be scheduled each month, February through June.
 Classroom sessions will be held at the U of I Extension Bldg. 6:30-8:00 pm,
beginning on Thursday, February 3, and then on the fourth Thursdays of each
month, February through May.
 Local government meeting visits could include the following local governing
bodies -County Board, City Council, Village Board, Park District Board, Urban
and Rural School Board, Township Commission, etc.
 The program will be limited to 20 youth participants in grades 8-12. Youth
participants will help determine the local government visits for this Academy.
For more information or to sign up contact:
Chris Anderson
Youth Development Educator
University of Illinois Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit
P.O. Box 8467
Springfield, IL 62791
Phone: 217-782-4617
Fax: 217-524-6662
Email: cwanders@uiuc.edu