For over fifteen years, New York State HOBY has been in existence. As in past years, New York HOBY will run four seminar programs throughout the state. Each seminar program is a three-day weekend workshop that examines topics on the theme of "America's Incentive System." Panel sessions, keynote speakers, management simulations and small-group discussions will challenge the Ambassadors to explore the difficult issues facing today's leaders, and question what the future will hold for them as leaders of tomorrow.

All sophomores from New York State are eligible to attend their locally assigned Leadership Seminar, with final selection of each high school's nominee made by the school principal. Participation is at no cost to the student Ambassador, his or her family, or the nominating school. At the local seminar, two participants (one young woman and one young man) are selected to represent their respective seminar at the World Leadership Congress, with student ambassadors from across the United States and over 30 countries worldwide.

Have the Seminars Proven Effective?

Consider these factors:

1. Program Quality. The quality of both the New York State HOBY Leadership Seminar programs and the World Leadership Congress is very high. All four New York State seminars have, at one time or another, been recognized as among the best HOBY leadership seminars in North America.  Key executives and leaders from New York State have actively supported and participated in the program. Past speakers and panelists have included Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings, former Albany Mayor Thomas Whalen, Brian Carroll of Niagara Mohawk, Dennis Colley of International Paper, state legislators Paul Tonko, Joseph Bruno and Michael Connors, former State Labor Commissioner John Hudacs, motivational speaker Jay Rifenbary, and many other citizens of distinction.

2. Support by Business and Civic Organizations. Support from local business and civic organizations continues to grow. They demonstrate that support through various forms of participation: providing panel speakers, serving as weekend facilitators, and lending financial support.

3. Feedback of Past Ambassadors. Past ambassadors continue to speak highly of their experience at the seminar. The program provides a unique opportunity to emerging leaders and has a significant impact on them. Independent surveys of HOBY participants have shown that:

• 93% of alumni are more willing to make decisions and be responsible for the effects of those decisions
• 98.8% began to think about new career possibilities
• 71% have received awards for school or community service
• 70% are interested in careers in business, industry, law or the health sciences