Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 8

CYCLE teaches young leaders about state
government and cooperatives
by Sara Schafer | sschafer@ruralmissouri.coop
photos by Sara Schafer and Ricki Spargo
A
sher Skelton had a surreal moment this past July.
On the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives,
the young leader approached a standing
microphone and debated a mock bill with 81 new
friends. " We got to sit in the chairs of our state representatives, "
he says. " It was so cool being able to be in the
chamber, explore the Capitol and see the governor's office. "
Asher is now a member of the 2024 class of the Cooperative
Youth Conference and Leadership Experience
(CYCLE). He was sponsored by Barton County Electric
Cooperative to attend the four-day leadership conference
in Jefferson City and St. Louis. He and his fellow delegates
heard from motivational speakers, participated in teambuilding
activities and had a behind-the-scenes view of
the Missouri electric cooperative system. This year marked
the 21st time electric co-ops have sponsored students to
participate in CYCLE.
" Students who apply to be part of a program such as
CYCLE are motivated and open-minded, not just about
their own future but about working with others and learning
from the experience, " says Chris Massman, who coordinates
CYCLE for Missouri Electric Cooperatives. " Many
of them are already active in their communities, and we
hope they return home from Jefferson City inspired to do
more and with a great support system of new friends. "
The week kicked off with icebreaker activities to help
8 RURAL MISSOURI | SEPTEMBER 2024
spur networking between the 82 students representing
35 of the state's electric cooperatives, Missouri Electric
Cooperatives and the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives.
Delegates heard from speakers who explained Missouri's
three-tier electric co-op system and its power generation
mix, the gear used by lineworkers in the field and the different
jobs available at their local electric cooperatives.
" My favorite speaker was Keith Mueller from Central
Electric, " says Carson Miller, who was sponsored by Missouri
Rural Electric Cooperative. " I didn't know everything
that goes on to make sure we always have electricity. "
Beyond describing the high-tech ways power is generated
and distributed, Keith also provided an interactive
live-line electrical safety demonstration as students toured
Central Electric Power Cooperative. This in-depth experience
is geared toward educating delegates who may one
day become electric cooperative member-owners.
Another key focus during the conference was Missouri
state government. Delegates are divided into groups to
draft potential bills. They vote to pick one topic, which they
debate on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives.
This process gives delegates a firsthand taste of the
legislative process.
Like Asher, Cayden Irons says the debate was his favorite
part of CYCLE. " My group's bill won the vote, so we
debated about increasing accessibility for adoption, " says
Cayden, who was sponsored by White River Valley Electric
Cooperative. " I was the bill sponsor, so I got to debate with
everyone. It was really fun answering everyone's questions.
Rural Missouri - September 2024

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