Count Me In (movement)

Count Me In
Formation2008
TypeInternational youth organization and global movement
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Location
  • Global
Founder
Shane Feldman
Websitewww.cmimovement.com

Count Me In is a youth-led leadership organization.[1][2] The global youth empowerment movement was founded in 2008 by Shane Feldman, and as of September 2017 the organization has impacted 10 million millennials in 104 countries.[3] The organization was started in Toronto, Canada, and now has offices in Los Angeles and New York City.[4] Count Me In promotes student volunteerism and community leadership, and has been recognized as the link between teenagers and the charitable sector.[5] The organization's members have contributed over 100 million hours of community service worldwide, which was valued at $2.4 billion by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2016.[6][7]

Background

Count Me In was started by Shane Feldman at the age of 13 in 2008. The organization was developed after Feldman experienced a difficult transition into high school. With the help of his guidance counsellor, Feldman got involved in clubs and volunteer opportunities, which inspired him to help his peers do the same. He decided to plan a school assembly to help students at his York Region public high school, Westmount Collegiate Institute. 400 students from 7 schools participated in the first event, which evolved into Count Me In.[8] What started as a small project went viral, and evolved into the global Count Me In movement.[9]

Count Me In Conference

Count Me In is best known for their youth-empowerment program, Count Me In Conference, rebranded in 2014 as the Count Me In Global Broadcast.[1] The program inspires local volunteer action. The 2014 Count Me In Global Broadcast was the largest youth-run event in history, with 2.2 million viewers tuning in from 69 countries.[10][11] The event, organized by a team of teenagers, was recognized by the Canadian House of Commons as the largest youth-run empowerment event in the world.[12]

Count Me In Leadership Summit

The Count Me In Leadership Summit is a 4-day leadership camp program for high school and college students.[13] Youth delegates are nominated and selected from around the world, and according to Count Me In, "participants represent a diverse mix of leadership styles and backgrounds".[14] The Count Me In Leadership Summit provides delegates with the opportunity to learn from expert facilitators and keynote speakers, and explore their individuality through interactive panels, breakout sessions, and team-building activities. With a focus on holistic leadership development and Servant leadership, delegates gain new perspectives on the world around them.[15]

Celebrity supporters

Count Me In has gained the support of notable celebrities including two-time nominated Gemini actress, Ashley Leggat, Emmy award-winning actress, Kristin Chenoweth, Olympic athlete and world champion, Perdita Felicien, JUNO nominated singer, Victoria Duffield, Star of the Emmy Award nominated series Degrassi, Luke Bilyk and Melinda Shankar, rap sensation Lil Jaxe, and Canada's Got Talent finalist, Shale Wagman,[16] Founder of Raise Your Rag, Ryan Porter. Author of "The Ultimate Guide to Teen Life", Yahya Bakka, Pop sensation, Megan Nicole, upcoming global pop star, Francesco Yates, YouTube sensation, Hunter March.

On January 9, 2013, Feldman appeared alongside Liza Fromer on Global TV's "The Morning Show" to announce new Count Me In supporters, Degrassi star Luke Bilyk and rap sensation Lil Jaxe. Other celebrities who have supported Count Me In include:

References

  1. ^ a b Kennedy, John R. (2013-01-09). "'Degrassi' star Luke Bilyk to host youth empowerment event". Globalnews.ca. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  2. ^ "Luke Bilyk on CP24 Breakfast - "Count Me In" Announcement". YouTube. 2013-04-12. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  3. ^ "Count Me In!". Emerse. 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  4. ^ Jed, Wallace (April 2, 2015). "Marketwired". Marketwired.
  5. ^ "Toronto teen motivating others to volunteer in their communities". Global News. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  6. ^ "Count Me In! - Empowering Youth To Make A Difference Through Volunteerism | THE CANADIAN". Thecanadiandaily.ca. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  7. ^ "The Value of Volunteer Time — Independent Sector". Independent Sector. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  8. ^ "Michael Cameron | Episode 33: Shane Feldman - Inspiring Youth Across The Planet". mikecameron.ca. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  9. ^ a b Kennedy, John R. (2013-04-01). "Count Me In brings stars, teens and charities together - Toronto". Globalnews.ca. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  10. ^ "Shane Feldman". HuffPost Canada. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  11. ^ "CMIC 2013 Live at Noon on CTV". YouTube. 2013-04-17. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  12. ^ "Keynote Speaker".
    SB Summer TLC
    6.27.17    . Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  13. ^ a b c "Count Me In Leadership Summit". 10times.com. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  14. ^ "Count Me In Summit - Global Student Leadership Camp". Count Me In Summit - Global Student Leadership Camp. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  15. ^ "Summit Info". Cmileaders.com. Count Me In Youth Initiative. Archived from the original on 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  16. ^ a b c d e "The Canadian Jewish News". Cjnews.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  17. ^ a b c d "Global News | Latest & Current News - Weather, Sports & Health News". Globaltoronto.com. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  18. ^ a b c d "Count Me In Conference 2013 | The Official Website of Perdita Felicien". Perditafelicien.com. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  19. ^ "Count Me In - Kristin Chenoweth". YouTube. 2013-06-01. Retrieved 2013-10-16.