吸引高中毕业生 to Ensure Your 社区's Future
尽管存在这些挑战, it has been a pleasant surprise to see communities across North Dakota rally around these young people, 今天最优秀、最聪明的人. I have heard stories of calls to action to raise funds to purchase yard signs 和 banners to hang on main street light poles featuring pictures of the 2020 seniors. The Linton School orchestrated a parade featuring school staff, administrators 和 of course the custodial engineers “mopping up COVID” with mops in h和, 以高调结束游行. There has been a ground swell of support for these very special people. “We will use this time in our lives to learn 和 grow, coming out stronger 和 more knowledgeable than ever before. We will remain positively reflective of this time to shape 和 mold us into the school we are always striving to be.” Erin Huber，林顿小学校长
I have overheard heard conversations where people are asking “do you think we can do this again next year?” The citizens of ND have seen the power of collective citizenry. Margaret Mead, American Anthropologist said” Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, 这是我唯一做过的事.
Communities who have embraced their high school students 和 have made them part of projects, 不仅仅是清理人员, but really brought them in 和 made them part of community projects 和 decision making, have seen a greater return of these young professionals once they have sought out their 教育 和 world experiences. 正如在 NDCOMPASS.org 网站, Civic engagement helps youth 和 young adults build social capital 和 skills that can help them find meaningful 教育 和 职业生涯路径. They know they have a place to call home 和 raise their own families. 社区 leaders may consider the following options when considering how to include youth in community endeavors while building loyalty:
- 问他们. Convene students 和 ask them what their vision for their community is. What kind of community do they want to live in?
- Invite them to city council meetings, 和 include them in discussion.
- Appoint them to a committee they may have an interest in
- Host a career fair where local business people can visit with students about job opportunities 和 salaries associated with jobs. Convey to students what your community needs, for example, an electrician, an accountant, etc.
- 最后，告诉他们你想要他们回来! They need to know they are wanted 和 that their community needs them.
来自美国的数据.S. 人口普查局, 表示在ND中, there is growth in entry 和 prime labor force, this information could lend itself to a positive growth in ND communities which contributes to the concept of the Brain Gain theory that educated, young adults are migrating back to rural communities. 像这样的趋势并不是偶然发生的. These trends happen by community leaders being committed 和 deliberate in not only recruitment but in retention of their youth.
Maybe not all things should go back to “normal”. Let’s continue to honor our young people 和 embrace their ideas 和 youth 和 tell them again 和 again about the opportunities that are available in your community.
Jodi Bruns, 领导与公民参与 Specialist
