National Rural Youth Assembly Project Looking For Young Leaders Of Tomorrow

The National Rural Assembly will host a National Rural Youth Assembly on April 22-25, 2010, at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and seeks 50 young adults from rural communities across the country who will gather to discuss the issues they see as critical to their lives and communities.

The National Rural Assembly Steering Committee asks rural organizations and leaders to nominate young people who are interested in rural issues, invested in strengthening and making an impact in their local communities.

The Rural Youth Assembly will engage young people on the key policy areas of the Rural Assembly including the quality of education, stewardship of our natural resources, investment in our communities, and the health of rural people.  Youth will represent the diversity of rural America in geographies, race, cultures, genders, incomes and sexual orientations.  

Criteria for participation:

1. Participant must 18-25 years old and represent a rural community.
2. Be interested in rural issues and want to work with other young people to impact their community. We are looking for passionate leaders that care about their communities and that represent a range of rural experience across income, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, geography, and educational background.
3. Maintain a positive working relationship with their nominating organization or mentor and be committed to returning home and continuing to serve their community.
4. Provide a letter of recommendation from a sponsoring organization or community leader such as a faculty member, program director, clergy member, or mentor.
5. Complete the application form with a 1-2 page essay (see application and essay questions below). The essay should be typed, with 12-point font. All application packets are due Friday, February 26th by 5 p.m. EDT.
6. Be committed to the integrity of our work over the three day event, willing to uphold the National Rural Youth Assembly values statement, and engage with the National Rural Assembly’s efforts.

Our resources and space are limited, so please make your participant selections carefully based on this criteria.

The National Rural Youth Assembly is first and foremost a youth event.   While the Assembly welcomes the support and endorsement of rural organizations and leaders, this event will be open to youth participants only.  The selection committee will only be able to consider applications from young people ages 18-25. Published materials of the proceedings and messages generated by youth participants will be shared broadly and openly with all at the close of the proceedings.

Kentucky Office:
46 East Main Street
Whitesburg, KY 41858
Phone: (606) 632-3244
Fax: (606) 632-3243

East Tennessee Office:
2927 Essary Drive
Suite 201
Knoxville, TN 37918
Phone: (865) 688-9546 
Fax: (865) 688-9596