By KAREN GUTKE
The Leadership Institute, a non-profit, not-partisan educational organization that helps students secure internships with political organizations, is sponsoring a Youth Leadership Conference Friday and Saturday.
The conference lasts for 12 hours a day for two days. It teaches students about conservative issues and the skills it takes to become a leader.
“It’s designed for serious people interested in being leaders and making a difference,” according to a brochure for the leadership conference on the Web site.
Melissa Ransom, a junior majoring in political science from Orem, attended the leadership training session two years ago. She is now the State College Republican Representative for the state of Utah.
“It was the greatest experience. I was able to learn skills to lead one hundred to a thousand youth volunteers in political campaigns. They also taught me the basics of how to survive in politics,” Ransom said.
The conference will be held at the Best Inn and Suites on Canyon Road in Provo and costs $48, which includes meals and a training manual. Scholarships will be available for those students who meet the necessary requirements, said Molly Nichelson the California Field Director for the Campus Leadership Program, a division of the Leadership Institute.
“This is a great opportunity to learn the ‘nuts and bolts’ of politics,” Nichelson said. “We also help students secure internships.”
The LI sponsored Melissa Ransom in one of these internships.
“They sent me to Hawaii. All of my expenses were paid and they gave me a monthly salary. They also paid for a car for me to get around the island,” Ransom said.
Ransom worked to get youth volunteers on the Governor’s campaign. She visited all of the universities on the Island and recruited volunteers. She helped with fund-raisers and publicity.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life. It really gave me a jumpstart into getting involved in politics. I have heard that many great politicians started this way by becoming a Youth Leader Coordinator,” Ransom said.
The Leadership Institute has been teaching students how to be successful in politics since 1979. Every year they instruct over 25,000 potential political leaders throughout the country.
The institute provides training in public relations, broadcast journalism, public speaking, candidate development, Internet leadership and student publications.
