Teen Leadership Programs

Youth leadership programs

Want to lead? Or maybe develop your leadership skills?

The Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to creating opportunities for youth in Brown County to participate in leadership activities and have an active role in the growth and success of our community.

Here's your chance to get involved and make a difference!

Training

The Brown County Teen Leadership (BCTL) program is modeled after Leadership Green Bay and focuses on leadership education and training. BCTL offers a comprehensive, experiential leadership development program to high school sophomores. Throughout the school year, teens meet in 5 full-day sessions introducing them to the skills, knowledge, experiences and networking opportunities they will need to become effective leaders. 

What Melanie Czypinski, Brown County Teen Leadership team member, has to say about the program.

"I've been involved since I was a sophomore in high school. After I graduated from the program, I joined the steering committee and have been involved ever since.

"The most rewarding thing has been seeing the program evolve. Also, the opportunities available to me helped to shape my career plans and gave me a new direction I didn't know about before! I've been able to meet so many people through the program. I also got to travel to San Jose, Calif., and St. Paul, Minn., to attend youth conferences.

"After BCTL, I joined the Olde Main Street board and became interested in downtown redevelopment and historic preservations. Then, through opportunities I found at UWGB and my time at Olde Main, I was able to get an internship with the city of Green Bay. Each opportunity has led me to a new one, leading me to where I am today."

What Gary Schmidtke, a student at Bay Port High School, thinks about Brown County Teen Leadership.

"I've been involved for two years. I got involved because I love to develop my leadership skills and it was a unique opportunity. I have created many new friendships and I have developed more as a leader. The group also opened me up to traveling to Washington, D.C., as a representative for the Greater Green Bay Area for the 100 Best Communities in America for Young People.

"This group has prepared me to take leadership roles in the future. It's opened our eyes to how different people work and think."

Implementation

The Greater Green Bay Youth Leadership Council provides a means for youth leaders to interface with elected officials, discussing the challenges and concerns of young people in our community and promoting a culture where student voices are an integral part of the area's growth. The council is composed of a junior and senior representative from each high school in Brown County and meets monthly during the school year.

For more information about these opportunities or to get involved, contact Rebecca Deschane, youth development manager, at 920.593.3406.

Check us out on facebook - Brown County Teen Leadership Class of 2009 and Green Bay Youth Leadership Council.

2010-2011 Brown County Teen Leadership application