It's true, the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, but they don't have to wait until they're adults to start serving as leaders.

Youths have opportunities to take leadership roles now in their schools and communities. Parents should make their children aware of these opportunities and encourage the pursuit of them.

One great opportunity for Fulton County high school students is to join the county Youth Bureau. Adult and youth members of the bureau make important decisions on funding for local youth agencies and organizing youth programs. Youth Bureau members are serving in leadership roles.

Unfortunately, the Youth Bureau now has only one youth member. The agency wants to have at least one teen from each of the county's six high schools on the board. The board needs a minimum of two youth members.

Youth members are needed from Gloversville, Mayfield, Broadalbin-Perth, Oppenheim-Ephratah and Northville schools. Though the board has one member from Johnstown High School, it would accept another youth from that school.

Members' main responsibilities are to attend 10 monthly meetings each year, and in some cases, committee meetings. Youth members sometimes help with events and could serve as speakers at youth dinners.

We're hoping the membership problem isn't as much of a lack of interest as it is a lack of awareness about the opportunity.

Parents, educators and other adults should make an effort to impress upon the youths they know to join the county Youth Bureau. What better way to prepare to be leaders of tomorrow than by serving as leaders today? For more information about the Youth Bureau or to express an interest in joining, call 736-5505.