NETWORKING
Steven Stafstrom
State Representative
Bridgeport, CT
Patrick Morales
School Board Member
Tempe, AZ
Byron Stanley
Commissioner
Riverdale, IL
Britani Potter
School Board Member
Ottawa, KS
Amanda Stuck
State Representative
Appleton, WI
Alma Renteria
School Board Member
Lynwood, CA
Ruben Walshe
Councilmember
San Luis , AZ
Naima Ricks
Board of Education Member
Roselle, NJ
Ladd Wendelin
Mayor
Oberlin, KS
Adam Roberts
ANC Commissioner
Washington, DC
Shari Williams
Registrar of Voter for WFP
Hartford, CT
D’Artagnan Scorza
Board Member
Inglewood, CA
Robert Wittenberg
State Representative
Oak Park, MI
Stephen Smith
Alderman
Ithaca, NY
Tiffinni Young
City Councilwoman
Dallas, TX
MB
ME
“The YEO Network is a brilliant idea! The ability for YEOs to
meet, find understanding, gain peace, trade ideas, explore concepts,
and gain a deeper sense of what it means to be a servant leader…
Because of that environment, YEOs have the tools and personal
security to go home and pass progressive legislation.” - Dayvin
Hallmon
“YEO Network is great—it is useful for connecting with peers
and it is inspirational and motivational. I look forward to this
convening each year I am able to attend.” – James Albis
“Great group: emotional support, mutual aid, ideas, friendship,
building the future together, reinforcing progressive pride.” – Cory
Wolbach
“It’s great to be around other electeds and not be the youngest
person. It’s inspiring to see what other young people are doing
around our country.” – Brittany Pettersen
“YEO is definitely a polished, professionally operated
organization… having a network that focuses on the development,
w w w .YEON e t w o r k . o r g
“It is a great concept with unlimited potential and opportunity to
change the face of America.” – Khalif J. Rainey
“The YEO Network is hands-down the greatest thing that has
happened to me since I have been an elected official.” – Julian
Mctizic
“The Network is amazing. The Network is necessary. Each year I
look forward to the convening to get recharged for another 365
days until the convening.
The Network has provided
me a new reality of the
career world.” – Henry
Davis Jr.
“The network is the biggest
base of support for young
electeds.” – David Bowen
“The YEO Network allows
me to be in a safe space that
nurtures my ideas for my
community. I get honest
feedback both positive and
constructive of these ideas, which is something I truly value.
I always leave recharged and focused to take one idea of the
many that were shared both formally and informally during the
convening and implement it in my community.” – Alan Williams
“So important – my favorite, most valuable conference of the year
and the wonderful support provided throughout the year.” – Faith
Winter
YEO F r o n t l i n e N e w s • Q3 2015 • PG 15
IP
w w w .YEON e t w o r k . o r g
“Powerful and dedicated
group of young leaders
with a future of growing
influence and leadership.
Our communities, our cities,
our states, our nation, and our world need the YEO Network.” –
Wesley Farrow
“Fabulous. Much needed to continue to have the courage to fight
for our values.” – Emma Pinter
SH
YEO F r o n t l i n e N e w s • Q3 2015 • PG 14
We began the project with brief YEO
introductions to over 200 energetic club
members. The teenage members then
engaged in an uplifting panel discussion
with YEOs on “Our Lives Matter,” which
tackled race relations and opportunities
for youth to create meaningful change in
their neighborhoods. Dancing, bounce
houses, face painting, and carnival food and
games followed the panel discussion. YEOs
staffing the carnival booths played with the
kids and competed for prizes. Thanks to our
Day of Service Chair Meshea Poore, the
committee, and the Boys and Girls Club of
Greater Washington for a successful event!
“This gives me life. I need this
more and more. Sometimes
it is hard to see the light at
the end of the tunnel in this
thankless service, but this
place... this space is a light
from within.” – Danielle
Adams
“My fellow YEOs are my lifeline outside of convening. They’re
who I turn to when board meetings get tough. They’re who I go
to when I get a ‘crazy’ idea and want to see what other districts are
doing. They keep me going.” – Lacey Merica
ER
Esmeralda Soria
City Council Member
Fresno, CA
As we celebrated our 10th National
Convening, we also launched our first ever
YEO Day of Service. With the leadership
of YEO alumna Meshea Poore, the YEO
Network partnered with the Boys and
Girls Club of Greater Washington and
offered YEOs the opportunity to engage
with the DC community while here for the
conference.
education, innovation and embracing the importance of young
leaders is an invaluable asset.” – Omar Herrera
MB
HIP
Michael Ari Mandelbaum
Councilman
Southfield, MI
Day of Service Recap
“To me, the YEO Network represents all of the reasons we can
be optimistic about America’s political future – ideologically,
demographically, and morally. I’m proud to be a part of it.” – Kate
Bolz
ME
ERS
Ethan Spurling
City Councilman
Frontenac, KS
POLICY
Joe Luginbill
Commissioner
Eau Claire, WI
National Convening Testimonials
NETWORKING
POLICY
Welcome New YEO Network Members
COVER
COVER
CONTINUED