National Youth Leadership Council Summer Update

The Nation Youth Leadership Council has completed its application process for year two of the program.  The Council currently consists of 17 college students from all over the country. Council members attend college all over the country including: University of California LA, Lake Forest College, The College of St Scholastica, American University, University of Texas, Ohio University, Oregon Coast Culinary, Regis University, George Washington University, Azusa Pacific University, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Cornell University, Kent State University, University of Massachusetts, and Syracuse University.  For the full list of members please click here.

They have launched "Coins for Crohns and Colitis," a CCFA fundraising program at their college campuses, as well as, various fundraisers at local restaurants, retail locations and through Greek events.  Members have increased awareness on their college campuses by taking part in health fairs where they provide the student population with information about Crohn's and colitis.  Council members work with their local chapters, attend board meetings and help promote Take Steps walks in their area. 

As part of this national program, each member is assigned to a chapter or chapters to establish contact with the local chapters.  Members work with Executive Directors, staff and volunteers to strengthen the relationship between local youth and the Council. 

In early May, nine council members attended Day on the Hill in Washington D.C. to visit with their legislators and two members spoke at our dinner to young advocates about the importance of a youth voice.  The council members met with their legislators to ask them to support the IBD Research and Awareness Act.  Advocacy efforts are continued all year long as members promote the grassroots advocacy campaign by writing letters to their legislators and asking friends and family to do the same.

The Council continues to hold bi monthly conference calls, additional as needed, the last call was held on May 20th.  The Council had a packed agenda as they roll into the summer and planning for the summer retreat tentatively scheduled for August 5-7th, in Chicago.  The summer retreat will provide the new council members to meet the entire council. 

The goals of this two and a half day retreat include:
• Introduction and welcome of new members
• Establish NYLC fundraising program to launch 2010 school year
• National NYLC Take Steps walk team
• Other college youth involvement

Updated 05.29.09