The 2010 Youth Leadership Conference marked the 20th anniversary of creating leaders in our community. With this year’s theme of “Can Y’all Hear Me Now?”, the Youth Leadership Conference was ushered in by over 240 students, mentors and volunteers. This marked the third YLC (2006, 2008 and 2010) that students from Local Lodges sponsored by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance under Asian Students in Action (ASIA) participated in earnest.

Students from the Greater Houston area and from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salinas, Portland and San Antonio Lodges came together at Rice University for the three day conference from June 25 – 27. The theme, "Can Y' Hear Me Now?", focused on one of the basic building all blocks of leadership - communication. Students learned to use effective communication techniques in a variety of contexts.

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High school students were inspired to explore the multitude of communications related issues that affect their environment and to empower them with the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to actively engage their communities. Among the objectives achieved by participants were:

• Developing & practicing leadership skills.
• Learning from college and young professional mentors.
• Challenging oneself through a series of team-building activities.
• Enjoying a weekend in a Rice University dormitory and meeting new friends that are not
• in your usual realm of friends.
• Showcasing your underutilized talents through our Café-Y event.
• Receiving opportunities for scholarships.
• Adding some excitement to your summer!

years, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance efforts to recruit, sponsor and coordinate the YLC attendees were led by Houston Lodge’s Ed Gor and Dorothy Chow, San Francisco Lodge’s Davace Chin, Los Angeles Lodge’s Winston Wu, Portland Lodge’s Helen Ying, Salinas Lodge’s Ira Katz and San Antonio Lodge’s Andrew Tong.

For more information on this year’s conference, including photo gallery and selected conference session materials, go to www.ylc.net.