Maine College GOP to host Youth Leadership School at college

The Maine College Republicans will host the Leadership Institute’s flagship program, the Youth Leadership School, at Bates College from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13, in the Edmund S. Muskie Archives, 70 Campus Ave. The school is the only training available for young conservative activists in Maine.

The program is sponsored by the Maine College Republicans and the Leadership Institute, an Arlington, Virginia-based organization that trains aspiring conservative leaders. The Youth Leadership School is open to high school and college students for a $60 registration fee, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, course materials and optional local hotel accommodations for Saturday night.

Founded in 1979 by conservative activist Morton Blackwell, the organization uses quick-paced multimedia presentations and experienced instructors to share with students the organizational and campaign techniques necessary to effective leadership.

“It’s a great opportunity to host the Leadership Institute in Maine,” stated Nathaniel Walton, a Bates freshman from Marblehead, Mass. Walton is vice president of the Bates College Republicans and primary organizer of the event. “The skills we will learn will help motivate students to spread the Republican message of self-reliance and free enterprise to campuses across the state.”

Famous graduates of the Youth Leadership School include Karl Rove, senior strategist to President George W. Bush; James Gilmore, former Virginia governor and chairman of the Republican National Committee; Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky; and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist.

College Republicans from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hampshire are also expected to attend.