M2M Report on the Southern Growth Policies Board Forum
“Youth, the Real Future of the South”
December 4, 2007 • Murfreesboro, TN

M2M co-sponsored with the Rutherford County Chamber and Middle Tennessee State University, the second Southern Growth Policies Board Forum to be held in Rutherford County. The forum, entitled “Youth- the Real Future of the South” was a huge success with nearly 60 Rutherford County high school students, business and “social profit” professionals, and educators.

The forums are directed through the Southern Growth Policies Board which is composed of 13 Southern States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is headed by the governors of those states. It was actually formed in 1971. The SGPB’s “research focus encompasses the major drivers for economic development in the South - innovation and technology, globalization, the changing nature of the workforce and the vital role of the community”. Each year SGPB selects a different topic for beginning conversations. Past forums indicated that a vital part of the puzzle for the future of the South, is our youth.

The purpose of this discussion was to “determine how to strengthen and capture the vision, talents and passion of youth.” These forums are occurring throughout the South this winter, ours was held on December 4, 2007. Results will be publicized by the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service as well as the Southern Growth Policies Board. A full report will be made on the forums during the National Southern Growth Policies Board Annual Meeting this June in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ironically, our forum revealed some of the same vital points that were highlighted in the 2007 SGPB’ Annual Report, Work, Knowledge, Passion. That report says that the South needs to: “create a culture of learning; get parents more involved; strengthen soft skills and work ethic; expand knowledge of career and college options; and facilitate collaboration.

Just a few of the things we learned during this forum were that our youth want more opportunities to be directly involved in decisions that are made in our community; they want to know about leadership opportunities in all the segments of the community; they need adults to help facilitate their involvement; all youth want to be included, not just the “at-risk” or the high achievers; they want more contact with business, industry and social-profits through internships and cooperatives; and they want more opportunities like this forum in order to develop plans and act. The adults learned that we have a fantastic group of young people in Rutherford County and it is time that we take even more advantage of their vision, talents, and passion. Please be watching for the formal reports in early spring.