Youth Conferences

As part of our commitment to the community, Barron Electric sponsors area high school students whose parents or guardians are members to attend two leadership conferences each year: the CO-OPS Yes! Youth Leadership Conference and the WECA Youth Leadership Congress. These conferences teach students about cooperatives and help them develop their leadership skills.

CO-OPS Yes! Youth Leadership Conference

The CO-OPS Yes! Youth Leadership conference is conducted by the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives (WFC) and the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives (MAC). The two-day conference is designed to help high school students gain a better understanding of cooperatives and develop leadership and problem-solving skills. In addition to speakers and group activities, a real cooperative is formed and operated during the conference.

WECA Youth Leadership Congress

The WECA Youth Leadership Congress is conducted by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA). Through a mix of seminar sessions, hands-on activities, and team-building experiences, participants are exposed to a variety of real-life issues and are given the opportunity to identify and explore their leadership potential. Students also form and operate a working cooperative, and have a chance to serve on the Youth Board, which plans and conducts the next Leadership Congress.

For more information on either conference, please contact Member Services at 800-322-1008 or (715) 537-3171.