Webster Youth Leadership
WHAT IS WEBSTER YOUTH LEADERSHIP?
Webster Youth Leadership is a program that gives you the opportunity to use and
strengthen your leadership skills. It is not based on academic merit or athletic ability. It is
based on character and interest in your community, a desire to shape ideas and attitudes
in other people. You may not think of yourself as a leader, but if you are interested in
improving your community, then you have something to offer.
Specifically, Webster Youth Leadership strives to broaden participant’s experiences by:
• Acquainting them with processes, program and the problems that exist within
the community.
• Developing individual and group decision-making skills.
• Stimulating their interest in community activities and encouraging I heir active
participation in local affairs.
• Introducing the emerging young leaders from each school to each other and to
the existing community leaders.
THE PROGRAM
The Webster Youth Leadership program runs for seven months. It features seven all- day
sessions. Topics focus on the priorities of the present and the future. Each session not
only address major issues that affect our community but also provides options that can
help us maintain a quality environment throughout the coming years.
Webster Youth Leadership meetings are held at a variety of facilities throughout the
community. Meals are served at each session to encourage informal interaction among
the participants. During the educational sessions, the participants meet as a group with
business, civic and government leaders for off-the-record discussions.
There will be seven sessions October through May with graduation following. Each
session will last a full day, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sessions are designed to develop
leadership skills and acquaint the student with community needs and objective as well as
identity potential career opportunities.
Topics and activities include:
• Health Care
• Financial
• Business & Industry
• Judicial/Law Enforcement
• Economic Development
• Government
• Media/Public Relations
Sessions will take place at a different location to facilitate the program of the day.
Community leaders and members of Leadership Webster Alumni will host all sessions.
THE PARTICIPANTS
A diverse group of high school sophomores and juniors is selected to participate in the
Webster Youth Leadership Program. Space is limited. The selection committee will
carefully review each candidate’s application and select program participants from
student candidates based on the following criteria:
• Those that have good references;
• Those who are active in extracurricular school activities and/or non-school
activities;
• Those who obtain full endorsement from their parents and their school
administration;
• Those who will commit their time to the program.
WHO GOVERNS THE PROGRAM?
The Webster Youth Leadership Program is voluntarily staffed by the Leadership.
Webster Alumni under the auspicious of the Education Committee of the Minden-South
Webster Chamber of Commerce. The Webster Parish School Board also endorses the
program.
Applications should be mailed or delivered to:
Leadership Webster
c/o Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce
110 Sibley Road
Minden, Louisiana 71055
Applications must be received by August 30, 2014.
THE SPONSORS
Funding for the Webster Youth Leadership Program is donated through business
sponsorships, grants and with the participation fee paid by the students.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES WEBSTER YOUTH LEADERSHIP
1. Attendance is mandatory for all sessions. Schools will be notified of absences, if you
are not at the session, you should be at school and vice versa. Sessions will be the second
Thursday of each month.
2. The Orientation Session is required.
3. Excused absences are limited to 2 sessions and must be documented (in writing) by
parents and/or the school.
4. Absences that are not excused within 3 days (prior to or following) the missed session
will be deemed as unexcused and the participant will not be allowed to complete the
program.
5. Each participant’s behavior at all sessions must be exemplary. All school rules and
regulations will be enforced during all sessions. In the case of disruptive behavior,
session leaders or Alumni staff administrators may send a letter to the parents/guardians
of the participants and to their school informing them of such. If disruptive behavior
continues, the student will be dropped from the program with no refund of tuition. The
student may appeal to the Leadership Webster Alumni Board of Directors to seek
readmission to the program.
6. Selected participants are required to attend one Webster Parish School Board Meeting
and one City/Town Council Meeting during the year of participation within the program.
7. A nomination for participation in the Webster Youth Leadership Program does not
guarantee selection.
8. Students will wear a Leadership shirt and slacks or skirt to each session. No blue jeans.
9. All decisions made by the selection committee are final.
TIPS FOR COMPLETING APPLICATION
1. All information must be provided and the application must be submitted to Leadership
Webster, c/o Minden-South Webster Chamber, by August 30th.
2. Print legibly or type all responses on the application.
3. Complete a rough draft and copy of the information on the application form to avoid
cross-outs, mistakes, etc., (Ask an English teacher to check grammar, spelling and
punctuation before writing on the form.)
4. Attach a recent photograph.
5. When answering questions/providing explanations, be sure responses are thoughtful
and specific.
6. Get the required signatures.
7. Attach two letters of recommendation from persons specified on the application:
One from an activity sponsor describing your involvement and areas or
responsibility; one from a community-related sponsor describing your
involvement and areas of responsibility. PLEASE NOTE: Make sure the person
writing your letters refers to you by THE NUMBER on your application and not
by your name.
8. A faculty member has been named as a contact person for the program 11 help is
needed, please ask the principal for the name of that person who will assist you in
completing the application.
Attach a recent photo
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Webster Youth Leadership
A program of the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce
ENROLLMENT APPLICATION
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
(Please print legibly or type)
Date: ____________________
Name:__________________________________________________________________
Last
First
Middle
Nickname or Preferred Name: ___________________________
Date of Birth: ________________________ Age: ________ Sex:_________
Home Address:___________________________________________________________
Box Number Street
City
State
Zip Code
Phone: ________________________ Name of High School: ______________________
Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________________________________________
T-Shirt Size (Circle One): Small
Medium Large X-Large XX-Large
Student cost for Webster Youth Leadership is $150. The program is financially
supported by the members of the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce.
COMPLETE APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR BROUGHT TO
THE MINDEN-SOUTH WEBSTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BY:
August 30, 2014
Webster Youth Leadership
C/O Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce
110 Sibley Road
Minden, LA. 71055
Webster Youth Leadership Application 2014
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Student/Parent Commitment
To complete the Webster Youth Leadership program, a student is required to attend the
following sessions during the course of the year:
7 Sessions
1 School Board Meeting (Evening Meeting)
1 City Council Meeting (Evening Meeting)
Graduation (Evening event in May)
Attendance is mandatory for ALL sessions. Excused absences are limited to 2
sessions and must be documented by parent and school. Absences that are not ex’
used within 3 days of the session will be unexcused and the student will not be
allowed to complete the program and tuition will not be refunded. Participants must
be enrolled in either the Webster Parish Public School System or Glenbrook
Academy for the entire school year.
I agree to the program requirements and commit to attend all sessions.
Student’s Signature ________________________________ Date___________________
I approve of my child’s participation in Webster Youth Leadership and I support the
attendance requirements and the commitment needed for my son/daughter to successfully
complete the program.
Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________ Date___________________
SCHOOL APPROVAL
This program requires that each participant has and maintains a 2.5 overall C.P.A
Signature of Counselor verifies that this applicant meets the GP.A. qualification.
School ___________________________
Counselor’s Signature _____________________________ Date____________________
I approve the student’s participation in Webster Youth Leadership.
School ____________________________
Principal/Designee Signature _______________________ Date____________________
Webster Youth Leadership Application 2014
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In responding to the following questions, do NOT identify yourself by name.
Respond to each of the following questions/statements in 75-125 words:
1. Describe a high school extracurricular activity in which you have participated and
explain how it has helped you to develop leadership skills. (10 points)
Attach a letter from one activity sponsor describing your involvement and area of
responsibility (be sure to tell the sponsor that he/she should not refer to you by
name in the letter, but rather by the number at the top of this page). (5 points)
Score______
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2. Describe a community-related activity in which you have participated during the last
two years and explain how it has helped you to develop leadership skills. (10 points)
Attach a letter from one activity sponsor describing your involvement and are of
responsibility (be sure to tell the sponsor that he/she should not refer to y u by
name in the letter, but rather by the number at the top of this page). (5 point)
Score_____
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Webster Youth Leadership Application 20124
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3. What do you expect to gain from participation in a leadership program?
(20 points)
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4. What do you see as your leadership skills and how will you use them to strengthen the
WYL program? (20 points)
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5. What do you see yourself giving back to the community in the future? (10 points)
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