Youths need interaction with local governments

As elected officials, we have a responsibility to make our communities a better place to live for future residents. We also have a responsibility to help develop and inspire the next generation of leaders to whom we will pass the baton and who will guide our communities once our terms are finished.

My presidential initiative for 2009-10 is to bring attention to issues that impact our youth and to highlight ways that counties can help foster positive attitudes about local government amongst our young adults.

Numerous surveys show that youth who are involved in civic issues at an early age are much more likely to be active, civic-minded citizens as they grow older. A recent survey by the Pew Charitable Trust showed that 59 percent of citizens between the ages of 18 and 29 have a favorable view of government, an increase of more than 9 percent since 2007. The percentage is significantly lower in older age groups.

There are lots of ways for county governments to engage youths. Lee County, in conjunction with the City of Sanford, started a Youth Council in 2007 to help youths become more aware of the services provided by local governments, and also to encourage students to consider a career in public service.

Wake County, in conjunction with the Wake County School System, started a program in 2005 to educate children about the importance of recycling. The "Feed the Bin" program helps students learn about the environment, personal responsibility and environmental stewardship while also letting them know that their county government is working to preserve our natural resources. The program has been so successful that it was recently recognized with the 2009 American Forest and Paper Association's Award for Paper Recycling in Schools.

As 2010 gets closer and closer, I urge all county commissioners to begin thinking of programs and opportunities to educate the next generation of leaders about county government. The NCACC and the National Association of Counties offer two such opportunities.

April 2010 – designated by NACo as National County Government Month – is an excellent opportunity for counties to publicize the services and programs they offer to citizens and also to engage students. Many counties across North Carolina offer activities aimed at informing high school students about county government during this celebration.

In addition, the NCACC will announce the winners of its 2009 Outstanding County Program Awards in April. If your county has a program geared to our younger constituents that could easily be replicated by other counties, make sure you nominate this program for an OCPA. The awards program not only recognizes counties for their innovative programs, but also helps spread the word to other counties about these programs. Visit www.ncacc.org/awards/ocpa/about.html for more information on the program.

Each generation faces new challenges. Fortunately, each generation brings with it a new group of leaders to meet these challenges.