At the same time, the region's population is aging. In 1990, the median age was 34. By 2005, it will be 37. Frankly, we need new blood. Beyond the statistics, there is often real-life isolation.
Many young people are bright and eager.
But they are too seldom asked to attend the board meeting or invited to the business lunch. They are left out of planning the capital campaign and overlooked for the church council. Several organizations are trying to address the problem. They have had success in their initial efforts. But short of enrolling in full-fledged programs, there have been no widespread, systematic opportunities for young people to break into the system, much less lead it.