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, Feb. 28, and Sunday, Feb. 29, in the Edmund S. Muskie Archives, 70 Campus Ave.

The program is sponsored by the Maine State College Republican Organization and the Leadership Institute, an Arlington, Va.-based organization that trains aspiring conservative leaders. The Youth Leadership 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.

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 Oliver Wolf, a Bates sophomore from Pittsburgh, Pa. Wolf is vice-chair of the Maine College Republicans and a major organizer of the event. "The skills we will learn will help us get Republican candidates elected across the board this November."

"We're excited to be bringing a Youth Leadership School to Maine for the first time in a very long while," noted Jim Eltringham, director of public relations for the Leadership Institute's Campus Leadership Program. "It is important for young conservatives to learn to win in politics."

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

On Sunday morning, Jan Staples, Maine's national committeewoman to the Republican National Committee, will address students attending the program on their efforts for the campaign season ahead. College Republicans from Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and even as far away as South Dakota are also expected to attend.

Throughout the program students will have the opportunity to win free books by William F. Buckley, Dinesh D'Souza, Milton Friedman, Barry Goldwater and other notable conservatives.

To register for the Youth Leadership School at Bates or for more information, contact Wolf by e-mail at owolf@bates.edu or call 412-760-5482 (cell). For more information on the Leadership Institute, visit the Web site at www.leadershipinstitute.org.