Youth Leadership1997-1998

The night began with introductions of the members of the 1997-1998 program.

Graduating officers described the program for new members.

Valley United Way's Youth Leadership Program began its eighth year of programming on Wednesday, April 2, 1997 with the Annual Member/Parent Reception. "At the Reception, members, both returning and new, were given an overview of the Program," according to Dr. Vincent Palacino, Jr., Youth Leadership staff and Valley United Way Assistant Director & Campaign Director. "Parents are given an opportunity to learn more about the Program. They also met the other members and got to know me, since their sons and daughters will be working with me over the next year."

Each year, members start their training regimen by attending a Teambuilding Retreat at the Hartford YMCA's Camp Jewell in Colebrook, Connecticut. This year's Retreat was held on the weekend of April 11-13.

"This year, our recruiting included young people in the eighth grade," said Palacino. "Our goal was to recruit students who would be starting high school in the Fall and we had a great deal of success. Of the 30 members for the 1997-1998 Program Year, fourteen are eighth graders."

The members of the 1997-1998 Program year included Rola Alkhatib, Kristen Baldyga, Laura Condon, Jason Cummings, Emily Heiden, Richard Lind, Cara Passaro, Allison Rich, Ambika Shenoy, Rajani Shenoy, Jessica Young, and Edward Williams III from Shelton High School; Maria DiCenso, Jessica Herrmann, Taeyoon Kim, Sarah Najda, Nicholas Stonoha, and Sheri Wendland from Derby High School; Evan Mastrianni, John Mastrianni, Jr., Angelina Mazzarella, Danielle Rodriquez, and Allen Sabins from Emmett O’Brien Regional Vocational Technical School; Maegan Amon, Brian Catlin, Erica Hebert, Justin Morgatto, Kara Rochelle, and Karl Trybus from Seymour High School; and Courtney Stroman from Ansonia High School.

"The members held their first official meeting at Camp Jewell on Saturday night, April 12, 1997, after completing a full day of activities" Palacino added. "At that meeting, the members elected their officers for the coming year. They also made decisions on the day of the week and time for holding their regular monthly meetings. The members take operational responsibility for this Program. I serve as staff to the Program and provide assistance when needed, but it's the members who run the Program," Palacino said.

"We're extremely proud of this Program," Jack Walsh, Valley United Way Executive Director said."In the eight years of its operation, the Program has received recognition from a variety of sources. Last year, Vince and Carrie Walsh, Youth Leadership President attended United Way of America’s Leadership Conference where they were on the agenda, making a presentation on youth programming in United Ways," Walsh added.

"In addition to that presentation last year, Program members have also made presentations at United Way of Connecticut's Annual Staff Conference. The Program was also recognized by the Southern Connecticut Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development for the extensive training it provides to its members," Walsh concluded.

"Each year, we provide nearly one hundred hours of training to the members," Palacino said. "The training includes the Weekend Retreat as well as individual sessions on group problem solving and decision making, conflict management, interviewing skills, running a meeting, and other topics, as deemed important by the members," he added. "The primary focus of the training is in preparing the group for the annual Venture Grants that they make each year. Each year, the members do a needs assessment and they ask organizations in the area to submit proposals for funding," Palacino continued. "The grants, limited to a maximum of $1,000, are made based on the evaluations done by the members of the proposals. The training, therefore, focuses on skills that members will need to effectively evaluate the proposals and make the decisions on which will be funded." Click here to see who received grants this year.

"The funding cycle is an extremely important part of the Program year. But, there are also a number of other activities in which the members are involved," according to Gina Rochelle, Youth Leadership President for 1996-97. "Each Spring, members assist Area Congregations Together with the Postal Workers’ Food Drive. We spend that Saturday at ACT’s Food Pantry, helping to unload the postal trucks as they deliver the food. We then sort and pack it so that the Pantry staff can more easily distribute the food to those in need," she continued.

"We are also involved in a number of other projects," Rochelle added. "Each year, we help with the planning and execution of Valley United Way's Annual 5K Kickoff Road Race and Fun Walk. That event is a fundraiser for Youth Leadership and members sit on the committee responsible for that event. We’re also involved with helping at Valley United Way’s Kickoff Reception and other events where they need volunteers," she continued.

"During the past two years, two of our members, the incoming President and the outgoing President, have served on the Allocations Committee that reviews funding requests from Valley United Way’s Partner Agencies. This year, I’ll be on the Committee for the second year along with the person that the group elects as President for the new year. Serving on the Allocations Committee was a great experience because it helped me to better understand how United Way takes care of the money it raises from the community and makes sure that the money that is distributed to its Partner Agencies is used to provide important programs and services to the people of the Valley."

"I've been a member of Youth Leadership for three years and will miss the meetings and all of the activities," Rochelle said. "It was a great experience and I know that my involvement with the Program will influence me as I look at my future volunteer activities," she concluded.

Youth Leadership 1997

"Alumni" Reception Held