About the YIELD Program

YIELD is modeled after the Leadership North Iowa program. The acronym stands for Youth Investing Energy in Leadership Development. In 2003, the Chamber partnered with the Mason City Youth Task Force to develop leadership skills in promising young adults by forging a connection between youth and the business community. Local business has a huge stake in area youth as future workers and leaders.

The class is comprised of high school juniors from Mason City High School and Newman Catholic High School. Chamber members generously share their knowledge and resources to serve as speakers at YIELD sessions. The course consists of 10 modules and each class selects and completes a Community Impact Project. Examples of Community Impact Projects include advocating for an ordinance restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine within Mason City, making fleece blankets for children in need, and creating interactive sidewalk paintings throughout Mason City.

The YIELD program has become a model for other communities interested in providing leadership training to youth. School administrators report that YIELD graduates are among their most successful and engaged students.

Nominate a student (current sophomore) no later than April 15 by contacting Allyson Krull. Nominees will be sent an application due May 13 and selections will be made by May 30.

2022-23 Community Impact Project

Each year, YIELD students complete a Community Impact Project. This year, the class wanted to tackle a timely project that would be fun for kids in Iowa winters. After reviewing a variety of ideas, they found a “free sled library” concept that had been implemented in other communities. Not only will this offer a fun winter activity for North Iowans, but it will help provide sleds to visitors or to those who may not already have access.

The students researched other cities with sled libraries for opinions and best practices. They also consulted with Mason City city staff and presented their project to the Mason City Park Board for approval of the installation of two sled racks – one at the East Park Sledding Hill and one at the Georgia Hanford Sledding Hill. Students will work with city staff to make sure sleds are stocked in the racks and that broken sleds are removed from the sites.

Home Lumber & Builders donated the wood and students constructed the sled “shed” racks with the assistance of the MCHS woods shop instructor, Mr. Rich Patras. Thanks to a generous contribution from a local trust students were able to purchase supplies and new sleds. Special thanks to the City of Mason City for their support of the project and for assuring The Sled Shed is a community amenity for years to come!

 

 

 

 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

We are able to offer this program free to students, from the help of our sponsors. Please consider sponsoring the YIELD program with a $100 contribution. In recognition for your sponsorship we will list your business in marketing materials.

Please contact Allyson at the Chamber if you're interested in becoming a sponsor.

2023 YIELD Sponsors

98.7 KISS Country / 103.7 The Fox ▪ Alpha Orthodontics Powered by Smile Doctors ▪  Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company ▪ Bergland + Cram Architects ▪ Burgmeier Dentistry ▪ Cargill Protein ▪ Central Park Dentistry ▪ Chevron Renewable Energy Group ▪ Children’s Dental Center of  Mason City ▪ Clear Lake Bank & Trust Co. ▪ CURRIES ▪ Dental Center of North Iowa ▪ Drs. Otto & Kotecki Family Dentistry ▪ Edward Jones - Sarah Carlsson, CFP ▪ Edwards-Brandt & Associates ▪ First Citizens Bank ▪ Heartland Asphalt, Inc. ▪ Henkel Construction Co. ▪ Hogan - Hansen, P.C. ▪ Holiday Inn Express and Suites - Mason City ▪ Jane Fischer and Associates LLC ▪ Kraft Heinz ▪ Laird Law Firm ▪ Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory ▪ Martin-Brower ▪ Mechanical Air Systems ▪ MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center ▪ Metalcraft, Inc. ▪ Mid-West Roofing Company/Custom SheetMetal Works ▪ Newman Catholic School System ▪ North Iowa Eye Clinic, P.C. ▪ North Iowa Orthodontics ▪ NSB Bank ▪ Overhead Door Company of Mason City ▪ Ozzie Ohl ▪ POET Biorefining - Hanlontown ▪ Pritchard Companies ▪ River City Morning Kiwanis ▪ Sukup Manufacturing ▪ The Nettleton Dental Group, PC ▪ The Window Source ▪ Wealth Progression Group - Todd Leet ▪ WHKS Engineers, Planners & Surveyors

Translate »