EMILY MISTRZAK SAYS NATIONAL CO-OP MEETING TAUGHT ME THE VALUE OF “INVESTING IN THE FUTURE”
 Emily Mistrzak of DeRidder recently returned from Orlando, where she served on the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) during its 64th Annual Meeting, February 14-22, 2006.
Representing Louisiana and sponsored by Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BECi) based in DeRidder, Mistrzak joined young people from 44 other states in assisting the national trade association conduct its Annual Meeting, which drew more than 12,000 electric co-op leaders from around the country. In addition to performing specific jobs at the big event, YLC members have the opportunity to increase their knowledge about national energy issues affecting electric cooperatives and the consumers they serve.
Mistrzak worked at the NRECA Congressional Action Center, encouraging cooperative members to contact their Senators and U.S. Representatives on key co-op issues, including protecting electricity consumers and supporting rail competition and pension legislation.
Other typical YLC duties included providing assistance to NRECA staff, participating in educational forums and helping meeting attendees by staffing the Information Booth. The YLC was a central part of the opening general session ceremony, which showcased Mistrzak carrying her Louisiana flag to the stage during the Parade of Flags. The YLC was the focus of another plenary session during which each YLC member was introduced to the assembled delegates.
Mistrzak said she had the experience of a lifetime while working with peers and the NRECA staff during the Annual Meeting. “I can’t believe all of the people I met and all of the memories I will keep forever. I’ve learned so much about the electric co-op industry and how important it is to our future,” she said.
The Youth Leadership Council is an extension of the Rural Electric Youth Tour, a group of more than 1,400 high school students who are sponsored jointly by NRECA, local electric cooperatives and their statewide associations in 44 states. The Youth Tour meets in Washington, D.C., in June of each year where they visit with their state delegations in both the U.S. House and Senate, attend educational seminars and visit historical landmarks. Each state attending The Youth Tour selects a representative for the YLC. The YLC then attends a week-long summer Leadership Conference back in Washington, D.C., where they take courses on leadership and how to write and deliver speeches. A national spokesperson is selected during this Leadership Conference to address the NRECA Annual Meeting and the Youth Tour delegates the following summer in Washington, D.C.
NRECA is the national service organization representing the nation’s more than 900 private, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide electric service to more than 39 million people in 47 states.
Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc. is the local electric cooperative serving more than 36,000 members is seven parishes of southwest Louisiana
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