Special to IFN
The N.C. Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), in collaboration with North Carolina 4-H and the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Carolina, hosted the 13th annual YouthVoice event on August 9-10.
Statesville teen Jack Jones participated in this year’s YouthVoice event, which was held during the NCACC’s 117th Annual Conference in Forsyth County. This year’s event gathered 45 youth delegates from 41 counties across North Carolina, despite challenges from recent flooding and tropical storm damage.
YouthVoice 2024 continued its mission to inspire and empower young leaders age 14-19 through dynamic learning sessions on leadership and county governance. The program kicked off on Friday afternoon with an engaging “Real Colors” assessment, helping participants recognize and understand their own and others’ behavioral preferences and strengths. This foundational exercise equips delegates with vital communication and relationship-building skills.
On Saturday, delegates had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with county officials over lunch, sharing their experiences and insights from the YouthVoice program. The day also featured a full-conference general session, a presentation on generational dynamics in the workplace, and the debut of a new documentary, “The Generation Theory: Work and Public Service Across Generations.” Produced by NCACC’s 100 Strong Productions division, the documentary offers a valuable resource for understanding different generational perspectives in public service.
In preparation for YouthVoice, each delegate presented their ideas to their respective county Boards of Commissioners, ensuring their participation would have a direct impact on their communities.
“I would like to thank the Iredell County 4-H for giving me the opportunity to attend the YouthVoice Summit,” Jones said. “I enjoyed meeting and developing friendships with other delegates from across the state. The Real-Colors Workshop and Budget Simulation gave me much insight as to how our local government commissioners work together to keep our county running smoothly. I greatly appreciate our County Commissioner Gene Houpe, for taking the time to speak with me.”
Jones is the son of Jordan and Cam Strader. A home-schooled student, he is currently in the 10th grade.
About YouthVoice
The YouthVoice initiative was launched in August 2010 by Past President Mary Accor, with the vision of fostering the development of future leaders. Accor, a former Cleveland County commissioner, sought to create a platform for young leaders to engage with their communities and grow their skills. The program has been an annual highlight, consistently supported by the NCACC Board of Directors.