Recap from SLC 2006

Conference Summary:

150 youth grantmakers and advisors left the Eastern Michigan University campus on Sunday June 25th inspired and excited to get back to work in their communities after attending the 2006 annual CMF Youth Grantmakers Summer Leadership Conference.

The three day conference, entitled Be Aware…Be Engaged…, focused on specific youth-oriented community social issues and how youth can affect those issues through philanthropy. Students and advisors from Michigan, New York, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Russia took part in a welfare simulation from the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice of Ann Arbor, experienced a performance by the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and dug further into tough community social issues in breakout sessions dealing with obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, gay and lesbian community issues, teen pregnancy, solutions to racial and ethnic problems, community literacy, and the environment.

Participants also attended sessions on the different aspects of grantmaking, took part in the “Great Grants and Initiatives” competition (results of the competition), and learned how to draw comics from comic artist Reuben Negron, whose work appears in the W.K. Kellogg anniversary comic book, Everyday People Can Lead Extraordinary Lives.

Advisors also attended a breakout session designed especially for advisors that featured a youth panel and advisor round-table discussions. Participants left with at least 100 new friends, ideas, ways to be aware and engaged in their communities, and the drive and passion to make a positive change for youth everywhere.

For a closer look at what went on during the conference, check out the summer issue of the 2006 YACkety YAC! or check out the pictures below.

If you are interested in attending next year’s conference or have any inquiries about youth philanthropy, please contact info@youthgrantmakers.org.