An Open Suggestion For YLNI
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 7/19/08 @ 2:50 pm - Filed Under Featured, Local Politics
Over the past year or so I’ve had the opportunity to meet several people involved with the Young Leaders Of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) organization and I’ve attended a few of their events and meetings as well. The people I’ve interacted with are an impressive lot that truly care about the future of our community.
They have hosted influential speakers, held roundtable discussions/debates and, in general, they’ve encouraged their members to become involved in the community. For brevity, I really am shortchanging the good work they’ve done but you can check out their website for more information if you’re so inclined.
What I would like to see from the organization now is a push towards policy involvement. I’m not suggesting the group has to cut back on anything they are doing now - far from it. I just think this community needs an organization willing to put forth leaders to guide the future of the community and end, to quote county councilman Paul Moss, the “incestuous relationships” that are abound in our local government.
In my opinion, the most effective means to change local government is by applying a ground-up approach and that means a wholesale change on the various boards and commissions that make up our government. YLNI has a plethora of members that would be great additions to these boards and I would suggest they start by lobbying for one of their members to fill the empty spot on the Plan Commission.
It’s one thing to lobby for change and try to steer the ship from the outside but it’s quite another challenge to try and take the wheel yourself. YLNI has shown to be an effective and impressive community-building organization and now they should consider taking the next step which is to influence public policy by getting more involved in local government organizations…
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