On January 14th, our co-chair Ptolemy messaged with a multitude of ideas. But above the concepts of opinion pieces, scheduling decisions, and a potential national convention; one stood above them, a chapter. See, Youth for Progress is a small organization (at least in this current moment), this is a pretty clear fact, especially if you simply glance at the home page of the website! Though… we have continuously held aspirations of expansion. So in order to commit to those very ideas and aspirations Ptolemy told me he had made a deal with the librarians at the Spanish Peaks Library in Walsenburg, Colorado to host twice-weekly meetings afterschool.

Quickly these ideas came to fruition and upon Thursday the 22nd, from 4pm to 5pm, the Spanish Peaks Chapter of Youth for Progress hosted its first meeting! Now, Youth for Progress hosts two full chapters, both of which host meetings. Not to mention an additional proposition by me and our Portales members to start a small chapter in the small New Mexican town.

So today we can hastily examine the new chapter, the future of Youth for Progress chapters, the requirements for hosting a chapter, and of course, the actual affects of YfPSP.

Youth for Progress of the Spanish Peaks, or YfPSP, is the newest chapter of Youth for Progress. It is also the first chapter outside of our initial Pueblo Chapter. So what are the newest features and information on the Spanish Peaks?

The YfPSP chapter will be hosting twice-weekly meetings, these meetings will be hosted Monday and Thursday afterschool from 4pm to 5pm, that's one full hour. These meetings will be at the Spanish Peaks-Walsenburg Library on Walsen Avenue in Walsenburg, Colorado. The chapter itself is clearly small but has hoisted itself to the Youth for Progress stage simply by being the first non-Puebloan chapter and for already gaining additional members. More information on the new chapter will be accessible through the informative e-mail (yfp.help@yfprogress.org).

Beyond the initial chapter in Walsenburg is the future chapters and the incorporation of chapters. Currently there's two major chapters on the chopping block here at Youth for Progress. Our organization has members from across the United States, from the Denver-Area to Pueblo to Portales and even Pennsylvania and Ohio. But alot of these members, especially outside Pueblo and Walsenburg, go unserved and lack chapters in-which they can regularly attend as thus participate in the key goals of Youth for Progress. A major solution to this issue is, well, opening new chapters. 

Currently two major concepts are available, Portales and Pearl. Portales is a small town in New Mexico’s eastern plains. The town is home to the University of Eastern New Mexico as well as three Youth for Progress members, including Youth Vice President, Kaden. And so talks between us and Kaden have led to us considering a accessible digital chapter until a proper chapter in Portales will be established. — The other town is Pearl, Mississippi. A strange location to select considering we have no members from the South, especially Mississippi but that is soon to change. As Eleanor, a member from the Pueblo chapter will be moving there at some point and thus she has considered working with us to start a local chapter in Pearl! Extraordinary as it expands our horizons from the Four Corners to the Eastern and Gulf Shores.

But chapters cannot just appear due to one person saying it exists, no, a chapter has requirements, so here's a simple overview. First, a chapter must be located within the United States, Canada, or the Bahamas, as these are our dominion. Secondly, ensure there are a total of at least two hours worth of meeting time per every two weeks. Third comes membership, in order for chapters to be created one must have at least two active members or one active member and four inactive members. Fourth and finally, apply! If you’re under 21 and over 13, we’ll consider your chapter, and if approved, welcome to Youth for Progress!

Youth for Progress of the Spanish Peaks concept, existence, and success have paved a way for future chapters and have pushed our organization from minor and unofficial to an actual proper concept with minor leverage and membership. Youth for Progress is now proper.