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TRUTH OF THE Junior National Young Leaders Conference
JasonR March 2, 2009
BOTTOM LINE: A VERY PROFITABLE BUSINESS VENTURE FOR THE FOUNDERS: I checked out the non-profit tax returns on this organization (Form 990) to see how legit they are. I have experience running non-profits, so knew a bit what to look for. If you read the tax form carefully, what you find out is this:
The non-profit corp of Congressional Youth Leadership Council, which runs the National Youth Leadership Forum as well as the Junior Nat'l Young Leaders Conference was started by the team of Richard Rossi and Barbara Harris who also started (in the same year) a for-profit corp called Envision EMI, LLC. It just so happens that Envision has the exclusive contract with CYLC to run all their programs. On the 2006 tax form, the compensation paid to Envision by CYLC exceeded 18 MILLION dollars (from a total revenue of CYLC of over $56 million).
As it stated on the CYLC tax form, "all full-time staff working on the account of CYLC are employees of Envision. CYLC pays Envision for payroll and related costs as well as management and marketing fees."
To me, that arrangement makes it clear that this program continues to be run for the purposes of profit to the founders and current operators. I'd be very curious about the founders' relationships with the board members of the non-profit entity.
To review the Form 990 -- see www.guidestar.org. Also see www.envisionemi.com
pnkrkgrrl February 26, 2013
If anyone is looking for proof positive that this is definitely a scam, I've got it. Today my 16 yr old son received the congratulatory packet in the mail, telling him what an honour it is to be chosen for his academic & leadership achievements. Unfortunately, despite being a very intelligent child, my son has had a very rough year & is currently at risk of failing the 10th grade. And his freshman year was a bit of a struggle too. So, unless they're basing this "nomination" on his performance in middle school (which was 2 years ago now), they are completely full of crap!
I love my son & know the sort of academic achievement he IS capable of & might even be taken in by this, if he were living up to potential right now, but that is not the case. 82620
dawnsimon February 29, 2012
Basic Organization Information
CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Physical Address: Rockville, MD 20850 EIN: 52-1389316 Web URL: www.cylc.org NTEE Category: O Youth Development O50 (Youth Development Programs) Year Founded: 1985 Ruling Year: 1985 Login or register to see this organization's full address, contact information, and more!
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I have posted this information so that those of you who need the EIN number to try and deduct child care costs can do so. Our daughter received the "Nomination Packet" and after talking with a family that participated the year before we opted NOT to take part in this. 76906
Debbieflorida June 1, 2010
My daughter attended the DC and Boston conferences. We are sending her back to the Florida State conference. She had a great time, came home full of information and ideas, was exposed to skills that she needs to develop, and was able to talk about history and leadership skills. The first year, we had her teach a four week Sunday School course on leadership skills, and she did a great job. She used the skills in Girl Scouts, school and church. She gets a chance to be away from us and her teachers, but with adequate supervision. They also work HARD. This is not a play around camp, but a strong academic and skills based conference. I have reviewed their materials and have been quite impressed each year. I look them over when planning Girl Scout sessions.
Yes, it is costly, but while we can pay for it, I think we are getting something neither I nor her community can provide her.56850
uropinion April 20, 2010
NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN WITH FOOD ALLERGIES...not at all a safe venture for any child with food allergies! the people at this conference will claim that they can deal with food allergies, NOT TRUE...they have NO KNOWLEDGE of even how to use an epipen, there is no overnight nurse, plus the vending machine where the kids sleep is filled with peanut candy.....since they are not even allowed to administer a bandaid and something happens to your child outside of the 2 hours the nurse is there in the early evening just pray that nothing serious happens...when i spoke to the girl in the special needs department, she took a week and a half to call me back, she didn't even know the name of the hospital my child would be sent to in case of an emergency in the middle of the night....for pre-existing condition children, stay away from this program..they say its supervised, sure...by who? don't be swayed by the bs here..for the money they charge, an overnight nurse should be expected......55397
daddyhead2000 April 8, 2010
Dear JasonR,
I am in need of the Federal EIN number for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. It may have been on the tax return that you found. I need it for Child care Expense deduction on my tax return.
Thank you,
RICHARD HEADLEY54922
harinair January 12, 2010
Recently their BBB rating improved to B - previously it was F. Read my full review here:
http://community.greatschools.org/q-and-a/163078/does-anyone-know-anything-about-the-junior-national-young-leaders-conference
Now the organization will send a great looking letter which misleads you into thinking that it is run by or has the endorsement of the US Congress or US Government. The price tag's of near $1900 would give a hint to parents. If not the availability of sessions every week gives a hint. They try to make it appear that the nomination is too hard to receive. We have already congratulated my son and given him a sense of achievement by the time we figure out the whole thing is a marketing ploy.
Now it seems like they are employing paid forum posters to post great comments saying "my daughter went there and it is a life time of experience..." and so on. My guess is in many cases the choice of words suggest a paid forum poster.37518
nadiaeverage January 10, 2010
i recieved the letter also i no im smart ppl were excited for me so i am raising money to go by saling things and taking donations i dont think i will raise the $1,540 dollars they are chrging that does not include lunch or the travel fees so this do seem like a scam...but im not sure i went on a college trip to about 5 or six colleges in 4 differnt states and it was cheaper then that it was only 600 dollars which paid for dinner and all hotel fees also travel and everything...also i just left washington dc two weeks ago with my church for the national inspirational youth convention for 4 nights and it paid for everything besides food it was only $350...so whats up with the national young leaders conference....37516
MrSixtyfour August 4, 2009
My 15 year old daughter attended. I feel like we got our moneys' worth in life experienes not necessarily in what the program provided.
-This is not a exclusive honor to attend. They never bothered to verify her GPA, etc.
-Functions more like a summer camp than a real educational experience.
-Most of the visits to historic sites were set up as "photo ops" rather than an opportunity to get an in depth experience. For example, they attended the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, only to have the bus leave when the ceremony was only half over.
-I attempted to contact NYLC twice while my daugher was there, never did get anyone to respond. My daughter was never able to get any medical attention inspite of multiple efforts the get some help for her blistered feet.
-Housing was 3 students per room. My daughter and most other from the western part of the country were later arrivals and were given cots rather than beds. Anight or two on a cot is one thing, ten nights at this price is a rip off.
-Be aware when you are collecting information about this organization that they provide "sponsorships" for teachers kids. Your experience for several thousand dollars my well be different than the experience of the person who went for free.
Approach with caution if at all. Take the family to DC on vaction for the same price.
37288
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