Nineteen of the members of Valley United Way's Youth Leadership Program spent the weekend of April 11-13, 1997 at the Hartford YMCA's Camp Jewell in Colebrook, Connecticut at their annual Teambuilding Retreat. "The Retreat is the beginning of training for members of the Program," according to Dr. Vincent Palacino, Jr., Youth Leadership staff and Valley United Way Assistant Director & Campaign Director. "I always enjoy watching a group of individuals begin to gel as a team during the weekend," he continued. "As we the up to Camp Jewell on the bus on Friday afternoon, you see a group of teenagers spread around the entire bus with one or two others whom they knew before becoming part of the Program. On the way back, everyone sits together, usually at the rear of the bus. It becomes obvious that the team has been formed as they are talking about the weekend's experience and the coming year of activities. It is such a great feeling," he added.

"What made it particularly interesting this year," Palacino continued, "was that we had members ranging from eighth to eleventh grade. I was particularly interested in seeing how the older members would interact with the younger members and whether the younger members would be less willing to participate because of the presence of the older, returning members. But, after this weekend, I have no doubts or concerns. They're a team!"

An indicator of how much the group integrated as a team was the result of the elections that members held during their first officia meeting on Saturday evening. The meeting was held after the group had completed nearly twelve hours of teambuilding activities under the direction of Camp Jewell staff. Ten different members were nominated for one of the five officer positions. Of those ten members, three were eighth graders.

Elected as officers for the 1997-1998 Program Year were Ambika Shenoy, currently a junior at Shelton High School, as President; John Mastrianni, a junior at Emmet 'Brien Regional Technical Vocational High School, as Vice President; Evan Mastrianni, currently a sophomore at Emmet O'Brien, as Treasurer; Jessica Young, currently an eighth grader at Shelton Intermediate School; and Rajani Shenoy, also currently an eighth grader at Shelton Intermediate School.

"We have a lot of activities planned for the year" said Ambika Shenoy, Youth Leadership President. "Actually, we start right off as soon as we get back from Camp. Members will be working on the grounds of the Recreation Camp in Derby to help get the grounds ready for the Camp's Summer Program," she continued. "We also have a volunteer project scheduled for May 10, 1997. We'll be helping at Area Congregations Togethe's Food Pantry on the day of the Postal Workers' Food Drive."

At the meeting held at Camp, the members also chose the day and time for their regular monthly meetings. For 1997-1998, the regular meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. In addition to the volunteer projects that members participate in, the group will also be participating in a number of training sessions, many of which will be presented by local consultants and corporate training personnel. The members will also be planning and preparing for their annual Venture Grant cycle, where they make small grants to local organizations that work with teens.

In the late summer, members do a needs assessment in the community to identify the key needs on which they will focus for their Venture Grants. In the late fall, the group will, after receiving proposals requesting grants, evaluate the proposals and award grants of up to $1,000. "Much of the training the members go through during the spring and summer is focused on the skills they will need to do the needs assessment and grantmaking," according to Palacino. "The training focuses on areas like conflict management, group decision making and problem solving, and interviewing skills," he added.

"I'm looking forward to an exciting and productive year with the group," Palacino said. "We have a larger group than last year, 26 as compared to 16, and I think the energy and excitement I saw at Camp Jewell, bodes well for a great year in 1997-1998," he concluded.

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