Live Updates-Press Releases

For immediate release:
January 29, 2010

For more information, please contact:
Christina L. Barrett
Director of Marketing & Communications
Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
(413) 499-4000 extension 15
cbarrett@berkshirechamber.com

At a press conference on Friday, January 29, 2010 at the Central Block Building in Pittsfield, the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce gathered together with members of the business and educational community for the announcement of a new program, Youth Leadership.

“Over the past few years, it has become abundantly clear that Berkshire County needs to do a better job at showcasing employment opportunities to our students. A study done in 2007 found that at any given time, the region’s job vacancy rate is one of the highest in the state,” stated Michael Supranowicz, President & CEO of the Berkshire Chamber. “This new program has been developed for high school juniors who will apply in the spring semester of their sophomore year.”

Supranowicz went on to say, “Applicants will be selected based on demonstrated leadership qualities both inside and outside the classroom. Through Youth Leadership, students are given the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight that will help them make meaningful decisions regarding their future.”

The Berkshire Chamber designed the Youth Leadership to develop young individuals as the next generation of community leaders; preparing them for constructive and responsible involvement in community affairs, while also thinking seriously about career pathways in Berkshire County.

Youth Leadership will have its first class begin this August. “It all kicks off with an overnight retreat conducted at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts by professional facilitators,” announced Danielle Gonzalez, Employer Manager at Williams College and Chair of the Youth Leadership steering committee. “The weekend will be wrapped up by a day-long bus tour of Berkshire County and, subsequently, monthly half-day sessions will be held at various locations throughout the county.”

Both Dr. Paul Raverta, President of Berkshire Community College and Denise Richardello, Vice President of Enrollment & External Relations, Mass. College of Liberal Arts provided comments. Each institution played a key role in the development of Youth Leadership through curriculum creation, faculty support, and as members of the steering committee.

A maximum of 30 students will be selected in their sophomore year to participate beginning in August of their junior year. Both a GPA and attendance requirement will be a component of the selection criteria. Candidates include not only those with leadership potential, but “diamonds in the rough” leadership potential. Individuals may or may not have prior experience in leadership roles in their school or community.

Youth Leadership also boasts a trait unique from other similar programs across the Country; students will receive three transferable dual enrollment credits through Berkshire Community College upon successful completion of the program.

Each Youth Leadership class will be chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of members of the business community and educators. Selection is based on information from the application, brief essays and an interview process. Classes will be representative of our diverse community and include participants who represent public, private, and charter schools. The Selection Committee’s intent is to have representation from each high school in Berkshire County with a maximum of 2 participants from each school.

The Berkshire Bank Foundation and Greylock Federal Credit Union have pledged $25,000 each over the next five years to ensure that Youth Leadership will become a strong, sustainable initiative. Peter J. Lafayette, Executive Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation and Angelo Stracuzzi, President of Greylock Federal Credit Union, each shared their enthusiasm for the launch of Youth Leadership. Both organizations place high value on youth-oriented initiatives happening within the region.

“As businesses here in the Berkshires, they {Berkshire Bank and Greylock Federal Credit Union} understand all too well the challenges we face in showcasing the opportunities that are already here,” said Supranowicz.

Senator Benjamin Downing, the newly appointed Acting Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, shared his excitement on the Berkshire Chamber’s Youth Leadership.

Marietta Rapetti Cawse, a guidance counselor at Pittsfield High School and representative of the Berkshire County Guidance Association told attendees that she was eager to inform students on the new program.

For additional information on Youth Leadership or to obtain an application, visit www.berkshirechamber.com/ylp or call the Berkshire Chamber at 413-499-4000. Applications must be completed in full and received by 5 PM on April 30, 2010 to be considered for the inaugural class. The Tuition Fee for the program is $100 and individual financial aid is available. Funds are limited and partial tuition assistance is issued based on need.

About the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
The Berkshire Chamber was established to identify and serve the needs and interests of the Berkshire business community, creating an environment conducive to the growth and sustainability of business. The Berkshire Chamber is accredited through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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