The American Private Enterprise Program
Program Description
The American Private Enterprise Youth Program is developed and coordinated by the Kentucky Council of Cooperatives and the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Agricultural Economics Department. A primary program objective is to provide high school juniors, sometimes seniors, with an appreciation of cooperatives as one of the important forms of doing business in the American enterprise system. For outstanding young people who excel in this program, the council provides a limited number of all expense-paid scholarships to attend the Kentucky Youth Seminar each summer, a program developed and conducted jointly by the council and the university. Also, for a smaller number of adults and youth scholars successfully completing the specified projects, there are all-expense-paid scholarships to attend the summer meetings of the National Institute of Cooperative Education. Participants are invited to share their experiences with council members at special meetings and also in meetings of member cooperatives and other groups.
Program Objectives
- To increase participants' knowledge of the American economic system and global economy through individual and group study.
- To help prepare participants for an active role in business through involvement with business leaders.
- To provide an exchange of ideas among youth scholars and local business and professional leaders.
- To acquaint youth scholars with career opportunities in business.
- To provide leadership training for youth scholars and junior leaders serving as officers and committee members in local, area, state and national programs.
- To provide citizenship training for youth scholars and teen leaders as they learn about the American way of doing business.
Program Phases
- Phase I: Training Workshops
Training workshops are conducted before the new programs begin for those who are to have key roles in local programs.
- Phase II: Local Programs
Local programs are the heart of the program. They begin at a time which suits the convenience of local people involved (after workshops have been conducted and the necessary program materials received). Program materials are ordered through and received by the 4-H or other county Extension agents in the Cooperative Extension Office.
One of two approaches is used in the local program: the extended program or the concentrated three-day impact program. The extended program meets once a week for 6 to 8 weeks for 1 to 2 hours of discussion of selected topics, with the help of local business or professional persons as discussion leaders. Other group activities include key visits to selected businesses.
The concentrated impact program approach is now being conducted by most local programs. While more challenging to organize and conduct, this approach seems to encourage larger numbers to become involved, stronger school support and a larger number of those beginning the program completing it satisfactorily.
- Phase III: Area Seminars
Attended mostly by Youth Scholars nominated for the Kentucky Youth Seminar, these also are open to other Youth Scholars who have participated in local programs. Attention focuses on review of local learnings and application of these to realistic corporate business situations and problems. Materials issued in advance for the Kentucky Youth Seminar are used, along with other materials prepared and adapted locally. Often the campus of an area college or university is the site of an Area Seminar. Personnel of these educational institutions are pleased to participate in conducting such Seminars.
- Phase IV: Kentucky Youth Seminar
Youth Scholars who excel in local programs are selected to attend the 3-day Kentucky Youth Seminar at the University of Kentucky. They continue their study and, as officers and directors, solve the corporate business problems of their corporations. Top Seminar Youth Scholars receive cash awards totaling $5,500 or more. In addition, 20 all expense-paid trips are awarded for the annual meeting of the American Institute of Cooperation held each year on the campus of one of the nation's leading universities.
- Phase V: American Institute of Cooperation
At the national meeting, Kentucky's top Youth Scholars and other young men and women of similar interests will learn more of the business of agriculture and of the businesses which serve agriculture, including cooperatives.
For additional information:
For additional information about the American Private Enterprise System Program, contact: Lionel Williamson, State Coordinator APES, Phone (859) 257-1637, Fax (859) 323-1913, E-mail: lwilliam@uky.edu.