Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP)

About FLIP

Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) is a leadership development opportunity where students can contribute to a better future for our region. Participants in this new program will learn more about the northeastern region and share their thoughts with other teens from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Participants will also meet and interact with selected regional leaders who make key planning decisions in our communities.

Apply For The Next Session

Applications for the 2010-2011 FLIP program are now available for download [PDF].  CMAP is pleased to announce the third year of its Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program. FLIP is an opportunity offered free of charge to high school students who are interested in learning about and contributing to a better future for our region. Participants selected for this program will learn more about northeastern Illinois by participating in hands-on activities and field trips on issues that concern us all, such as housing, transportation, the environment and government.

[Deadline Extended] All applications, reference forms, and essays must be postmarked or emailed by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 13, 2010.

FLIP 2009-2010 Final Projects

The 2009-2010 FLIP program has ended with another amazing Final Presentation Event, hosted by the National Museum of Mexican Art.  This year, participants divided into subject teams to develop presentations and guide books to help high school students around the region implement aspects of the Preferred Regional Scenario. Click on the images below to watch the presentations on You Tube and Vimeo and on the guidebooks to read them in PDF format.

Introduction by CMAP Executive Director, Randy Blankenhorn (click image below to view video)		Introduction by Jasmine Omeke (click image below to view video)
Human Services Team Malik Chappell Jennie Mueller Jasmine Omeke Spencer Teiken Anna Yoder
Environment Team Safiyyah Cole Marilyn Janisch Thomas Maloney Aly plahm Katie Starasinich Chris Tomaszkiewicz
Housing and Land Use Team Sophia Irizarry Kristen McCloskey Nicole Mitchell Elaine Rodriguez Cooper Zajac
Economic Development Team Lauren Armendariz-Bast Brandon Holland Quintin Johnson Nilesh Kavthekar Melissa Lai
Transportation Team Vincent Desmond Martin Downs Christian Hunter Shantanu Jain

FLIP 2009-2010 Yearbook

Thanks to help from our two interns, Chris Gladfelter and Lok Kwan, from the University of Illinois at Chicago's Urban and Public Affairs program, we were able to produce a yearbook for the 2009-2010 FLIP session.  We hope that FLIP alum will enjoy flipping (sorry, couldn't help myself) through its pages for nostalgia.  We also hope that people interested in the program will enjoy learning more about each of the Saturday sessions. Click the image to the right to download the FLIP 2009-2010 Yearbook PDF.

Youth Speak

FLIP participants around the region have been interviewed by local newspapers about their experience in the program.  The Lake County Journal quoted Paula Yoder as saying “our voices need to be heard in order to change the future.”  We couldn't agree more.  The Pioneer Press featured a story about Laura Berman, whose civic-mindedness has the Stevenson High School junior following in the footsteps of her father, Buffalo Grove Trustee Jeff Berman.  Most recently, the Naperville Sun covered featured a great summary of the entire 2009 program.

FLIP participants regularly contribute to the CMAP blog.  To read Lynda Lopez's interview with Josh Edelman, the Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools’ Office of New Schools, click here.

As part of the educational component of FLIP, participants regularly write reflections relating what they learn from session activities to what they see in their own communities.  To read the latest in a series of CMAP blog entries featuring these reflections, click here.  Stay tuned for additional CMAP blog entries.  We encourage all readers, of all ages, to post comments.

FLIP participants are also developing PowerPoint slides for their final presentation on existing conditions in the region and recommendations for improvement.  The ideas in these slides do not necessarily represent those of CMAP.  To view some of these slides and read youth comments to each other, click here.

Adults Speak

Many adults in the fields of planning, housing, environmental protection, transportation, land use, human services and community and economic development have had the opportunity to interact with FLIP participants.  Here is what some of them have to say.

“I thought [the expert interview day] was very well organized (kudos!) and was impressed by how much the students were already up to speed with planning issues.” - Emily Tapia, Metro Planning Council

"I was very impressed the final presentation last Thursday. Even though the presentations were very brief, I could see and feel their minds behind the slides. Some of the issues they identified were never in my thoughts. Some of the solutions seemed to be just imagination. But with the rapid development of advanced technology, they will be possible." Wei Gao, FLIP Parent

"The students involved in FLIP are engaging and engaged.  It is bracing to hear and see the level of creativity and insight into local, regional, national and international issues demonstrated by the participants."  - Patricia Berry, Principal Planner

"That's why we love FLIP so much - it is challenging but more importantly gets the kids to think about THEIR future and THEIR communities." - Therese Schmidt, FLIP Parent 

More Information

To receive periodic updates on FLIP, including opportunities for involvement, sign up for the listserv.

To meet other youth in the region and blog about issues affecting your community, visit the Facebook or MySpace page.

For more information, please take a look at the 2010-2011 FLIP application.