2009 National Convening

It's the most progressive, innovative, and invigorating conference offered to Young Elected Officials, designed by Young Elected Officials. The YEO Network National Convenings are the largest gatherings of young progressive elected leaders in the country- and this year was no exception!

Atlanta, Georgia welcomed the YEO Network Convening June 12-14, 2009, with a continued tradition of meeting important YEO needs- offering more time for networking, providing in-depth personal and professional skills building, and sharing innovative policy and resources. We are progressing into a new dawn!

YEOs joined others like them who are young, progressive, and elected. The weekend’s reel of highlights included:

• The first YEO Women’s Caucus that gave women in the Network an opportunity to address their specific needs.
• Civil Rights activist Reverend Joseph Lowery’s rousing call to action for a progressive agenda of fairness, opportunity and equality for all.
• Former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes’s message of seizing opportunity and hope to make progressive change true to your values.
• A profound plenary about working with others to accomplish bold agendas by Kennesaw State University President Emeritus Dr. Betty Siegel.
• The first YEO Leadership Awards presentation and the first annual Barbara Jordan Leadership Award, given to Arizona State Representative Kyrsten Sinema by her YEO Colleagues.
• Regional dinners where YEOs networked within their geographic boundaries, finding issues that address all levels of government within similar areas to address.
• Several opportunities for peer mentorship, networking, and making valuable connections with young colleagues from across the country.

Involvement in the YEO Network does not end in Atlanta! There are many ways to stay connected and involved year-round. From newsletter entries to policy conference call participation, YEOs have an active role in broadening the YEO Network’s ability to provide support for young officials across the country.

2009 Footage and Session Resources will be available soon

See the 2009 Convening Photo Gallery >>

See what the 2008 National Convening was like >>

See 2008 National Convening Video Footage >>