Empire State Students Receive Political Education with Help from CFC

Every year, four New York rural high school juniors—one representing each of the state’s electric distribution cooperatives—are chosen to attend the annual NRECA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in late April or early May. In doing so, they gain a first-hand look at electric cooperative grassroots clout in action during meetings with members of Congress.

The experience has been made possible by funds provided to the New York State Rural Electric Cooperative Association (statewide) through the CFC Educational Fund and NCSC Cooperative Youth Education Grant Program.

Students Get Inside Peek Into Politics, Co-ops

During fiscal year 2018, the $7,200 combined covered all expenses for participants and chaperones, including transportation, lodging, meals and sightseeing. One of the quartet is also picked to attend the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in June.

“Our goal is to give the students insights into how an electric cooperative works, the benefits of being a co-op consumer and how legislation affects the cooperative network,” explains Gary Potter, board president with Otsego Electric Cooperative, based in Hartwick, New York, who represents his cooperative on the statewide board as well as the Empire State on the NRECA board. “This year, the youngsters actively took part in discussions at briefing sessions and Capitol Hill visits. As an added bonus, they were able to explore many of the sights in the nation’s capital, go on a Washington, D.C., night tour, and attend a play at Ford’s Theatre.

As part of the selection process, students—whose parent or guardian must be a co-op member—submit a written application with references, which are then reviewed by each cooperative’s board of directors. At some systems, hopefuls are also interviewed.

Trip Leaves a Lasting Impression

“New York’s member co-ops are very thankful to CFC and NCSC,” adds Potter. “The support lets us offer a meaningful educational program and ensure that we continue to achieve goals important to us. Over the years our students have expressed a sincere appreciation for being able to learn more about how co-ops operate—from the local to the national level—and the significance of membership.”

He continues: “Several students have come away expressing an interest in political science or in becoming a Youth Tour leader—one from Oneida-Madison Electric Cooperative actually followed through with that goal.”

CFC has allocated more than $13 million to the Educational Fund since its inception in1981; NCSC has contributed $772,000 to Youth Educational Grants since 2010.