Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative is proud to have sent Isabella Marlow of Mt. Zion High School and Mattie Steed of Carrollton High School to the recent Georgia Cooperative Council Youth Leadership Conference. The conference is an engaging multi-state leadership and learning experience for students that highlights the impact of cooperatives on communities.

The camp-like conference, held July 16-20, promised the attendees a week of leadership, learning and laughter and gave them the opportunity to grow in areas of leadership, problem-solving, relationship building and communication. Steed said, “This camp was a wonderful experience! I met new people, learned new things, and went out of my comfort zone a lot more than I expected to. I cannot thank Carroll EMC enough for sponsoring me with this wonderful opportunity.”

Electric cooperatives from all over the state, including Carroll EMC, sponsor the conference because it provides a unique way for students to see what exactly EMCs do and why they are vital in their communities. Various encounter sessions and workshops from co-op representatives, including Georgia EMC and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, are just a few of the ways that this was accomplished.

Throughout the week students heard different perspectives from other co-ops as well, including representatives from the Georgia Cooperative Development Center, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Middle Georgia EMC, GEMC Federal Credit Union, Walton EMC and the Farm Credit Associations.

The conference also emphasized the Seven Cooperative Principles all cooperative businesses follow: voluntary and open membership, democratic membership control, members’ economic participation, autonomy and independence, education and training for members, cooperation between co-ops, and concern for local communities.

“This weeklong conference brings the seven cooperative principles to life for these teenagers while fostering leadership and soft skills in a fun environment,” says Taylor Key of Carroll EMC.

Students not only learned about the different types of co-ops and their impact, but they also learned more about themselves and what it takes to be a leader. Marlow reflects on her time at the conference by saying, “This camp was an amazing experience that really pushed me out of my comfort zone. If you have the opportunity to go I highly recommend that you do.”

Leading and learning took place throughout the week, but it wasn’t without moments of fun and games. A ropes course, mud course, and team building exercises are just a few of the activities that brought students together and helped them build meaningful friendships that made the goodbyes at the end of the week so hard.

In addition to activities onsite at the Georgia FFA/FCCLA Center, the group also went on a field trip to Walton EMC and Godfrey Dairy to see firsthand what they had been learning.

The 2018 Cooperative Council Youth Conference was made possible by generous support from the electric cooperatives of Georgia, the Georgia Cooperative Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.