Tri-Cities, WA Looks to its Next Generation of Leaders

The leaders of the Tri-cities are beginning to take serious action in giving a voice to their City’s younger residents.  Thursday night’s meeting involved mainly the more active members of four groups: The Young Professionals of the Tri-Cities, Rotaract, Young Leaders Society, and Bechtel’s NextGen.  Many attendees even play a role in multiple groups.  The Young Professionals is an organization that meets monthly for networking purposes and also promotes activity in the community such as attending council meetings.  Rotaract is a service club for young adults, and a recognized club with Rotary International, an organization that gives hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide.  The Young Leaders Society operates with the United Way and last year raised over $100,000.  NextGen is a group started by Bechtel Corporation to develop new employees and has since grown to community service aspects.  Together these groups form a considerable voice of people who care and are actively involved within their communities.

Recently the cities have taken more than an interest in its younger citizens.  Thursday night was a chance for a number of individuals from each group to gather at the Chamber / TRIDEC / Convention Bureau office and share their ideas on the future of the Tri-Cities from a development standpoint.  A number of city people were there, as well as some people from the Port.  Together we all had a lot of fun brainstorming a long range development plan that would attract persons in the 20-30 or so demographic.

The meeting was a huge step forward in giving this age group a voice, but it cannot be dropped.  The Cities were shown that this demographic wants to be a contributing part of the process, and likewise that the City leaders want their involvement.  The next step will be more important yet.  If this excitement is not fostered into the development of committees and other ways for young persons to get involved, then the the city leaders will be taking two steps back.  I am not worried about the young persons excitement waning.

All of the young groups have seen growth since they started, and along with that a call for more ways to get involved.  The younger demographic in our area will not lie down even if the city were to get sidetracked.  Look to see the young people of the Tri-Cities, Washington to take control of thier future and make it a better place for people of all ages.

Everyone has heard of Rotary.  They do great things in their communities as well as on an international level.  Since becoming a member of Richland Rotary I have enjoyed many things especially knowing that I am doing more good as a group than I could ever think about doing on my own.

Rotaract is Rotary for the 18-30 age group.  Our local Rotaract group is doing amazingly well.  They have a strong will to grow their group, volunteer in the community, and especially have fun!  I have been contributing to Rotaract since I joined Rotary.  I am on the youth education committee in which we volunteer our time to help grow the Rotaract group and help the members get the most out of being a Rotary International sponsored club.

This last year our club is making waves.  The last president Lisa Lockrem won an award that no Rotaract member has ever won before.  A momentus achievement.  The club itself has over 30 members and is growing by the minute!  Rotaract is definately at the top of list of things I am proud to be a part of.

For more information visit their website:  www.mcrotaract.com