The Chamber of Commerce is currently extending
this program to include our youth. In this program, in addition to a
comprehensive curriculum covering issues important to citizens of Salem, there
is a new twist that provides for the participants to serve on community boards
throughout Salem. The Salem Electric Board of Directors has elected to support
this program by sponsoring one of the participants. We will start a mentoring
process in January 2000, and the selected student will begin participating (but
not voting) in our board meetings in the fall. As further explanation, I offer
the following article provided by the Chamber of Commerce. Instilling
hope, inspiring vision, and opening doors of opportunity and commitment - that
is the essence of Leadership Youth. With gang activity and the disturbing trend
of increased disconnection of our youth from nuclear family relationships,
community leaders and leadership organizations must step forward to act now. We
must build bridges between our youth and their community. Leadership Youth is designed to achieve progress toward that
goal. Twenty-five youth from Salem-Keizer area high schools will participate in
a program that will treat them as leaders and expect them to commit to a
positive leadership role within their schools and their community. The focus of the program is "our diamonds in the rough". These
youth can make a positive difference in our community if we first make a
positive step towards them. Leadership Youth Mission To cultivate and nurture the hidden leadership qualities that
exist in all youth within the Salem-Keizer communities. Program Description Patterned after Leadership Salem, in the first year youth will
receive a comprehensive overview of the Salem-Keizer area - its realities,
opportunities and challenges; meet fact to face with recognized community
leaders and decision makers; and receive an introduction to community resources
by way of tours, panels and speakers. Each of the nine one-day sessions focuses
on a different theme; leadership; community history and culture; natural
resources; business and commerce; education; human resources; legal systems;
government; and a community project. During the second year, youth serve on a community board while
being paired with a community mentor from that board. The formal mentor
relationship helps the student become accustomed to the rules, norms and
expectations of a community leader. As a result, the student will gain insight
to community issues, needs and challenges. The knowledge and experience that youth gain will impact their
lives and enable them to grow and become involved in helping to shape a
positive future for the Salem-Keizer area. Vice-President The
meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Nancy Towslee. All board
members were in attendance. Member Services Manager Terry Kelly reported on the initial
response to the For The Sake of the Salmon program which is to be initiated in
October 1999. A number of our members have requested additional information on
this program, which is strictly a volunteer effort for those who choose to
participate. Additionally, several non-members have requested information about
the program. Any money contributed for the SOS program through Salem Electric
is matched by the State. General Manager Bob Speckman announced that staff has been
diligently working on preparation of the proposed budget for the next fiscal
year. Board members will be given copies at the October meeting for review;
revision and approval are designated for the November meeting. Considerable time was spent on discussing the strategic planning
process being undertaken by Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association
(ORECA) of which Salem Electric is a member. ORECA is a coordinating/lobbying council in Oregon, which strives
to address the various needs of the 17 cooperatives across Oregon. They are an extremely important entity when it comes to the
bi-annual legislative sessions and the various interim legislative committees
addressing issues directly effecting the electrical industry in Oregon. Board action was taken to authorize revolvement of the 1978-79
capital credits. This year's amount is approximately $1 million and it is
expected that three quarters of that amount will be paid out (the balance being
credits of former Salem Electric members whose whereabouts is unknown). The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Secretary/Treasurer
| Board Reports |
November 1999
I
have been privileged over the past several years to have been involved with the
Leadership Salem program, through the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Many of
today's community leaders have been trained through this program and
unselfishly give of themselves to make Salem a better place to live.Murray McCreary
Minutes of the Meeting Held on:
September 21, 1999
Curt Culver
