THIS WILL REMAIN ON TOP UNTIL DEADLINE IS HERE!
A couple of weeks ago I was sent a letter saying that I had to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum. Now, I’ve been sent a letter saying that I have been nominated to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security.
The National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security (NYLF/NS): Exploring American Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense provides an intense and stimulating exploration of the field of government service for high school students. This six-day program introduces students to challenging careers in defense, intelligence, the diplomatic corps and more.
Students participate in thought-provoking question and answer sessions with highly respected, internationally recognized civilian policy makers and senior military officers, who provide rich insights into current issues and discuss the strategies that helped them succeed. The government’s leading academic institutions also open their doors to our students, where they are educated in diplomacy, international affairs and military strategy.
During the course of the Forum, students take part in a national security strategy exercise that draws on their program experiences and teamwork. They employ a crisis decision-making process similar to that employed by the nation’s top policy makers, giving them an opportunity to use critical thinking, leadership and public speaking skills to tackle the complexity of national decision-making.
There is only one problem, the money. It cost $1,490 (or so) to participate in this event. That does not even include the cost of travel and expenses once I get there. I am very interested in this event, and I have begun writing to companies in my local area for sponsorship. If any of you happen to be reading this article feel the urge to help me out here, in any way mind you, please comment or contact me.
Now you can help me out in some different ways. One is by donating any amount of money using the Donate button to your left. It is through Paypal, but you do not need an account there, just a form of payment. Any amount of money is greatly appreciated and will go directly to funding my way for this trip. Also, if your place of employment loves to get some free PR, then give me their info, or you can contact them for me, and see if they will help sponsor my way up there.
Once again, any help is greatly appreciated.
14 responses so far ↓
1 The BoBo // Apr 21, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Wow! That is great! I assume you are a high school student. I won’t presume to know your age…but…do you have a paypal account? If so, you could put up a donate button on your page that explains why you are seeking donations. As long as you have your own checking, savings, or credit card you can set up an account.
This is an excellent opportunity! I hope you can come up with the money. If you had that paypal button I’m sure you could probably find a few people who would drop you a few coins here and there. I would also help out by posting to you..and..I have some other blogger friends who could link to you as well.
2 Bradley Hankins // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:12 am
Yea, I’ll probably do that later today. And thanks for the idea, never would of thought of that, even though I do have a Paypal account.
3 Kaitlyn R // Apr 22, 2008 at 9:01 am
I have been nominated for the same program and, surprise surprise, I come from a family of six and can’t afford it without some serious sponsorship. I have no idea about where to come up with the money, even though I really want to go.
4 Bradley Hankins // Apr 22, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Oh yea, that’s pretty neat to meet another nominee online like this.
I come from a “use to be low” middle class, now formally known as the upper poor. I’m in the range (race too…) that my family cannot even receive help from our faithful government.
Did you know though, they have a whole page devoted to fund-raising? I was told by someone just to contact all local businesses. So check out areas Chamber of Commerce, and just mail (or if you want to save some trees e-mail… but mail would just be more “professional”) and tell the companies about who you are, that you got nominated, and ask for a small donations. All donations will surely add up.
Plus, if you have a job, slowly save up, that will help. I’m sure some family members could probably help out too, but I guess it all depends.
Personally I’m really excited about this, and really want to go. The price is pretty fair, because I went to Washington D.C. about two years ago for about the same price… but that was airfare included.
Hopefully we may get to meet each other, as that would be cool, and good luck to the both of us to get the money. I mean we have until like June 12th I think…
5 The BoBo // Apr 26, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Hey Bradley,
Saw your donate button! Good job…sent ya $25. Make sure you put that in your fund now! LOL. I’ll put a post up over at my site…hopefully, I can send some more over here to donate to ya!
6 Bradley Hankins // Apr 27, 2008 at 7:41 am
Oh man your great, and thanks a lot of helping out so much. Hopefully from the help of you, your readers, and other ways I’m trying to raise money I can get to go, and then report about all of it. Can’t wait lol, hopefully it will all come together,
7 Sazzad Hossain // Apr 29, 2008 at 8:38 am
For what you have helped Ehsan and me with, I will for sure donate some money. I’m in the middle of a business transaction. When I get the money transfered to my paypal, I will surely donate. By the way, congrats on the acceptance. I got into a similar program but I couldn’t afford to go at that time.
Are you parents willing to pay anything at all? I know you have had financial issues in the past (I remember the crappy dial-up you had and the slow computer).
8 Bradley Hankins // Apr 29, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Oh Sazzad any help be great, and thanks very munch.
My parents did say they would help out as much as they could, but times are bad and we are still not doing as we please. (Same computer, but DSL!… which might go away soon…)
9 Help Bradley Participate in The National Youth Leadership Forum| i blog the world| Arania Jain // May 3, 2008 at 1:44 pm
[...] Bradley a young Blogger from Alabama has been invited to attend The National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security (NYLF/NS) where students take part in a national security strategy exercise that draws on their program experiences and teamwork and where they employ a crisis decision-making process similar to that employed by the nation’s top policy makers, giving them an opportunity to use critical thinking, leadership and public speaking skills to tackle the complexity of national decision-making. [...]
10 Sazzad Hossain // May 5, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Hey Bradley send me a message on MSN to remind me. Whenever I’m home I forget, right now I’m working on a project and decided to randomly check kayloo. Remind me.
11 Ileana // May 14, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Hey, I’m from Florida and just got nominated for this too. I’m raising money by asking my local church and schools… we are representing the county/city so ask if they can help! I too am from a middle-class family.
12 Bradley Hankins // May 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Ah that’s pretty cool.
Well I got Food World to help me by letting me fundraise on Saturdays. It’s just that the payment is due in June, so I have less than a month. If I can get my way there then I have th flights settled out… I just need a lot more money lol.
Now it’s really hard for my family. Since my truck got stolen, we had to pay more money for gas to get me to work, so yea. It’s all a pain in the butt, but I do hope I get to go.
13 Steve's Dad // May 16, 2008 at 4:49 pm
My son recieved this letter. I am sceptical. Is this a military / govt. recruting program? If it is, that is ok. But they should not be so evasive about it. D any of you bloggers know what entity is behind the forum?
My son is a football player. He wants to go. But he does not want to leave his team and quarterback undefended for a hype campaign.
What is the real scoop.
14 Bradley Hankins // May 16, 2008 at 10:31 pm
It’s not really a recruiting program. It just gives experience on what really happens in Washington. This is a legit forum, as I know people who have gone to it before, and they had a great time and have learned a great deal.
Matter of fact the girl that went to this program a few years ago went to George Washington University majoring in International Studies, so it prepares you for college too.
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