Generation West Virginia's mission is to cultivate young talent in West Virginia.
by Paul Daugherty
The State Journal
April 17, 2008
What is the relevance of the figure 650,000 to the future of West Virginia?
It represents the number of people between 18 to 44 years of age in the Mountain State according to the 2000 U.S. Census. This demographic is our state's greatest natural resource as it represents its present and future base of workers, intellectual capital and leadership.
It is no secret that for decades West Virginia has been battling the "Brain Drain" seeing some of our best and brightest young people leave the state for other opportunities. This "Brain Drain" has been a long-debated and identified problem, but not until recently had anyone stepped up to combat this trend.
Generation West Virginia, a group of young leaders ages 21 to 45 from across the state, formed in February 2007 to combat this ongoing problem. Generation West Virginia is a statewide coalition of young professional/leader groups from several communities who have come together to combat the trend and make West Virginia a place that retains, attracts and advances young talent.
Generation West Virginia's mission is to cultivate young talent in West Virginia.
Generation West Virginia presently includes young leaders from Charleston (Generation Charleston), Huntington (Young Professional Committee of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce), Martinsburg (Young Professionals of the Eastern Panhandle), Morgantown (Generation Morgantown), Parkersburg (Young Emerging Leaders of the Mid-Ohio Valley) and Wheeling (OV Connect). These volunteer groups were established locally with their respective Chambers of Commerce to make communities attractive to young adults and ensure that the future generations of leaders step up and serve their communities and the state. Other communities and regions of the State are encouraged to join the movement.
This growing movement of young leaders is unique because each local group started out independently yet focused on dealing with the same issue of the "Brain Drain" on the local level. It is evident by the energy, enthusiasm, drive and proactive focus of the most recent meeting of Generation West Virginia in August 2007 that these young leaders are putting into action the words of Ghandi: "Be the change that you see in the world."
As the baby boomer generation ages and moves into retirement, West Virginia is going to experience a decline of its work force and leadership base, leading to an increased demand for young talent, intellectual capital and leaders across the state.
On the national level, it is forecast that two workers leave the work force for every one entering as those reaching the age of 65 outpace those reaching the age of 18. By 2008, it is predicted that there will be a shortage of 10 million workers across all employment categories nationwide.
For West Virginia, this impending vacuum means not only a reduction in work force but a vacuum of leaders. The competition for young talent is tightening and will become even tighter for West Virginia.
How do we prepare and respond to the transition and change of leadership and the impending vacuum of intellectual capital in West Virginia now and throughout the future?
The founding of Generation West Virginia and its growing involvement of a broad representation of young leaders and professionals from across West Virginia could not have come at a more critical time in our state's history. This group of dynamic young volunteer leaders, who come from a multitude of professions and communities, is taking action by creating social, professional, civic and cultural experiences and networks that allow young people to become a part of their local communities.
On the state level, Generation West Virginia recently has outlined five key issue areas on which to focus and created working committees to put thoughts into action. The five issue areas include: Best Practices/Outreach, Economic Development, Statewide Image & Marketing, Legislative & Policy Issues and the creation of a WV Young Leadership Conference. Generation West Virginia's strong volunteer base provides input, guidance and action to identify strategies and initiatives to combat the "Brain Drain." In addition, the involvement of each local regional group brings the input of hundreds, if not thousands, of young professionals and leaders from across the Mountain State.
While it is in only its first year of existence, Generation West Virginia, through its steering committee and many volunteer committee members, is taking action. The first step is hosting the inaugural WV's Young Leadership Conference: Realizing West Virginia's Potential in partnership and to follow the sixth annual West Virginia Leadership Conference the afternoon of Wednesday, April 23, that will bring together some of West Virginia's best and brightest. The conference will be in Morgantown. In addition, Generation West Virginia will outline plans of action for each of the working committees in Economic Development, Legislative & Policy Issues and Statewide Image & Marketing at the Spring 2008 Conference.
As Generation West Virginia moves forward with its creation and growth, it is led by a strong steering committee representing each local young professionals/leaders group across West Virginia. The committee includes Ashley Hardesty (Morgantown), Rebecca Samples (Huntington), Jessica Nester (Martinsburg), Brad Rowe (Charleston), Justin Seibert (Wheeling) and Paul Daugherty (Parkersburg). It is important to note that the "speed of light" progression of Generation West Virginia from an idea to a reality has been made possible through the generous support of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Charleston Area Alliance, Vision Shared and individuals such as Mary Hunt-Lieving and Tom Heywood.
It is OUR commitment for Generation West Virginia to become a strong and active voice for the 650,000 young individuals between the ages of 21 and 45 years living and working in the state to be the change that we see and need in West Virginia. For more information about Generation West Virginia and the upcoming conference, log onto: www,generationwestvirginia.com.
Generation West Virginia is in partnership with Vision Shared www.visionshared.com.
Paul D.A. Daugherty is director of development for the West Virginia University Eye Institute and volunteer spokesperson, co-Founder and Steering Committee member of Generation West Virginia.
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