2026 Youth Leadership Conference Shapes Future Leaders & Champions Cooperative Principles

(Americus, GA) – Earlier this month, Sumter Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), along with other electric membership corporations, and other cooperative businesses from across the state, proudly supported the 2026 Georgia Cooperative Council Youth Leadership Conference, held July 6–10 at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center in Covington.

Students in attendance from Sumter EMC’s service territory included: Zachary Martin of Terrell Academy, Bailee Macon and Emma-Leigh Hagin of Marion County High School, Lanier Yeiser of Southland Academy, Meya Shayeb and Sofia Bermudez of Lee County High School, and Sean Hodges of Sumter County High School.

These students were selected to join 30 of Georgia’s young leaders at this year’s conference. Over five days, attendees participated in activities designed to cultivate leadership abilities, foster teamwork, and deepen their understanding of how cooperatives contribute to their communities and beyond.

“Investing in programs like this is an investment in the future of our communities,” said Tonya Jones of Sumter EMC. “These students are tomorrow’s leaders, and it’s inspiring to see how they embrace the cooperative spirit of collaboration and service.”

The conference agenda was packed with interactive workshops, team-building exercises, and leadership development sessions. Students also learned about the cooperative business model which offers a unique approach to business that emphasizes member ownership, community focus and democratic governance.

Key highlights of the week included visits to Walton EMC in Monroe and the Godfrey Dairy in Madison, where students saw firsthand how cooperatives operate in both the electric and agricultural sectors. Outdoor activities like a high ropes course, mud course and a slip-and-slide challenge helped students build trust, communication and teamwork skills.

Inside the classroom, students completed personality assessments, practiced public speaking and worked together to form and operate their own mock cooperatives. On the final day, each team presented its cooperative concept to the entire group, showcasing the leadership, creativity and collaboration they developed throughout the week.

“The Youth Leadership Conference is one of those life-changing experiences that students carry with them for years to come,” said Andy Paul, public relations representative for Georgia EMC. “It’s not just about learning how cooperatives work. It’s about discovering how leadership, teamwork and service can create meaningful, lasting change in their communities.”

To qualify for the conference, students must have completed their freshman year of high school, demonstrate strong leadership potential and be selected by their local cooperative.

The Georgia Cooperative Council organized the 2026 Georgia Cooperative Youth Leadership Conference. Participating EMCs this year included Altamaha EMC, Central Georgia EMC, Flint Energies, Georgia Transmission Corp., Grady EMC, Irwin EMC, Jackson EMC, Middle Georgia EMC, Ocmulgee EMC, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Okefenoke REMC, Rayle EMC, Southern Rivers EMC, Sumter EMC, and Walton EMC.

For more information about the conference, visit www.georgiaco-op.com.

About Sumter EMC
Sumter Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is a community-focused electric cooperative created to efficiently deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to more than 21,000 homes, businesses, farms, and schools. Sumter EMC is led by and belongs to the communities it serves – Chattahoochee, Dougherty, Lee, Marion, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, and Webster counties. Sumter EMC invests in its communities through programs such as Operation Round-Up, Washington Youth Tour, the Youth Leadership Experience, Walter Harrison Scholarship, and the Georgia Cooperative Council’s Youth Leadership Conference. 

For additional information about Sumter Electric Membership Corporation, visit www.sumteremc.coop.

About the Georgia Cooperative Council
The Georgia Cooperative Council is a statewide, nonprofit association representing approximately 50 cooperatives, including those in the farm supply, finance, electric, telecommunications, cotton, and dairy sectors. The Council promotes cooperative education, leadership development, and collaboration across Georgia’s cooperative community.