Leadership Champlain PILOT - Youth Leadership

Program Description:
PILOT (Program to Inspire Leadership, Opportunity, and Thought) is a youth leadership program developed in partnership with Linking Learning to Life (LLL), with the vision to motivate and empower young people to make a positive difference within their communities through leadership, creativity, and action. This program targets "latent leaders", bringing together juniors from four Chittenden County high schools (Burlington High School, South Burlington High School, Essex High School and Champlain Valley Union High School) for an inter-active year long community and career exploration program. Currently, twenty students make up the 2008-2009 PILOT class.

PILOT is comprised of four main components:
1) Leadership and self-awareness: The mission of the program is to provide tomorrow's leaders an inspirational vehicle to develop critical thinking and leadership skills, as well as the opportunity for personal growth.
2) Community engagement: Participants meet for a full day seminar each month at different locations to learn about various aspects of the community in which they live. For instance, to learn more about Human Services, students meet at local non-profit organizations providing social services, to meet professionals in this field, learn the critical community issues surrounding the human services system, and how they can become involved. Seminar topics include Health Care, Human Services, Government and Politics, Criminal Justice, Business, Media and Communications, and Community Service.
3) Career Exploration and Internships: Students explore different careers at each seminar. They are also individually matched with area businesses to look into various career paths through research, job shadowing, and internships. This is a critical piece of the program for the participant's leadership and self-awareness skills.
4) Community Service Project: PILOT students partner with local non-profit organizations to complete community service projects, or design one of their own addressing a specific community need. The projects result in a presentation at their graduation in May.

Why is it Important?
PILOT is an innovative program that focuses on developing leadership skills, addressing relevant community issues, and exploring future career options. Outside of PILOT, there are few leadership programs that specifically target students who are emerging or non-traditional leaders, who may otherwise not have the opportunity to cultivate their leadership skills. This program encourages these students to utilize their skills, gain a better understanding of their community, expand their thinking, and prepare for a successful future.

Who Benefits?
Students who participate in PILOT gain valuable leadership tools and experiences that may be applied to their everyday lives. Looking into various career paths exposes students to possible career options, and creates potential for beneficial career development training through job shadows and internships with partnering organizations.
Businesses and Community Organizations involved with the PILOT program play a pivotal role in preparing tomorrow's leaders in becoming active and engaged citizens of the community. Doing so helps to build a motivated, dynamic work force, and a stronger connection between students and the local community.

For More Information on how your Business can get Involved: Please email Cari Kelley or call (802) 863-3489, ext. 227