Madd National Board

Youth Position

Jacob Volkmann
3374 343rd Avenue
Janesville, Minnesota 56048-4804
Phone: (507) 234-5846
Fax: (507) 234-6765
Birth Date: June 30, 1982
Age: 16
School Attending: Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School
E-Mail: volkmann@prairie.lakes.com
Grade: Entering 12th

Have you ever worked with a MADD chapter in your hometown or state?
I have worked with T.E.A.M. in my small, rural city of Janesville, Minnesota. T.E.A.M. stands for Together Everyone Accomplishes More. T.E.A.M. focuses on reducing teenage drinking. On April 13, 1999, I was the M.C. of “Let’s Join the T.E.A.M.” 70 citizens attended to hear me speak of how Janesville needs to provide a better environment for the children and teenagers of the community so that drinking does not become the known thing to do on weekends. Have you participated in a national or regional MADD youth program? On February 6, 1999, I was a participant of MADD’s Youth Jam. It was an event attended by 1200 teenagers from Minnesota and surrounding states. Speakers came from all across the nation to tell their stories and experiences they had with alcohol or the effects of someone else using alcohol, changing their lives. I have become very active with MADD’s Youth In Action. On April 15, 1999, I spoke at a press conference in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capital. It was a Youth In Action rally in support of two bills being voted on that would bring tougher penalties to the adults that carelessly serve minors. Three major television news stations were there along with five newspapers and three radio stations. I talked about the death in my family caused by a man who drove while impaired and of my support for the bills. That same day, I lobbied with the other Youth In Action members door to door of the Senators and Representatives. A week later, the bills both passed!!

List all alcohol or other drug prevention activities/clubs in which you have been involved in your school or community.
I was the club president of the Janesville Jack ‘N’ Jills 4-H Club. Our club gathers to do fun community services, take projects to the County Fair, and provide alternative activities for other teens who could rather be drinking. I am a member of the National Honor Society. In the National Honor Society all members must be of good character, service, knowledge, and leadership. Our society does activities during Homecoming and other times of the year like hosting dances that remind students not to drink. A new program of Teen Court was started in Janesville, Minnesota. At teen court, a jury decides the punishment of students who break laws like drinking underage. I am one of the Jury Foremen.

Have you or someone in your immediate family ever been affected by an alcohol related incident?
On November 28, 1998, my six year old cousin Emily Lynn Groskreutz was killed by a man who drove under the influence of alcohol. Emily spent a fair amount of time at my house and she took the role of “big sister” to my five year old brother. Since the time the results of the man’s blood alcohol level came back proving he was under the influence when his truck crashed into the motorcycle that Emily rode on with her daddy, thus killing my “little sister,” I have dedicated my time to MADD so that no more families have to go through what my family has gone through. No more innocent six year olds should be killed so ruthlessly I believe. I want to help protect all others as much as possible.

Describe the role you believe you could play and contributions you could make to MADD’s National Board of Directors.
The contributions I could make to the MADD’s National Board of Directors as the Youth Member are my continuos strive to reach the youth of this country and my will to fight the problem of underage drinking. With my past leadership training and experiences, I feel comfortable while speaking in front of large groups. My organizational skills and ability to work with and under adults help me to be a strong leader of peers my age and older. I believe in team work and that every team must have a qualified person to take charge.

Please provide the full name and phone number of you drug prevention club sponsor.
The prevention club sponsor of mine would be Bonnie LaBatt from the state office of MADD
(651)523-0802.

List all other activities in which you are/have been involved.
April 25-28, 1998- St. Paul Rotary Leadership Convention
April 17-19, 1999- Minnesota State Association of Students Councils Leadership Palooza.
June 10, 1999- South-Central Minnesota Leadership Institute
June 13-19, 1999- Minnesota American Legion Boys State
Two very successful years with the J-W-P High School Speech Team
1998-1999 J-W-P Student Body Representative, up for re-election
Nominated Senior Class President

What strengths do you possess that would enable you to serve as a leader in the fight to prevent drunk driving?
I have a strong background of leadership experience. With a class rank of third, a Grade Point Average of 3.85 on a 4.0 scale, and a score of 28 on my A.C.T., I can think logically, quickly, speak fluently, interact generously, and lead smoothly. I have experienced personally the effect of what happens when a person drives impaired. My community has lost many teenagers recently due to the wrong decisions made by themselves as they drank and then drove themselves and others into their death beds. I set high goals and do not loose sight of them when obstacles may occur. I am also not fearful of speaking in front of highly respected people like February 24, 1999, when I testified in front of a Senate Committee at the State Capital promoting a bill to lower the B.A.C. from .10 to .08.

What are your beliefs concerning underage drinking?
I do not believe that underage drinking is acceptable. Our society must change because currently the norm of most communities allows for teenage drinking to occur. It may be true that most parents do not allow children to drink in their house, but that is not good enough when their children then go to a friend’s home to drink. Parents must communicate and keep in touch with each other. It takes the ENTIRE village to raise a child that does not drink underage. When teenagers drink, they hurt themselves because they limit their potential in life. They hurt their families, friends, community, and society as a whole. A lot must be done to stop underage drinking.

What goals or plans do you have for yourself in your school/community prevention program?
I plan to continuously act on my beliefs that teenagers must not drink. I will also continue to participate in programs that strive to bring an end to anyone driving under the influence. With MADD and Youth In Action I will continue to lobby at the State Capital to lower the B.A.C. that is considered by the law safe to drive. I am considering attending college for a major in law and I would like to advance in the government in the future. Most importantly, I plan to live as an example of good character and service towards my community, state, and nation.

Have you ever been charged or convicted of an impaired driving offense, use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs, or ever had your driver’s license suspended or revoked? Is there any fact or circumstance involving your background that would call into question your serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Mothers Against Drunk Driving?
No.

References:
Dr. Don Hainlen
J-W-P Schools
110 East Third Street
P.O. Box 389
Janesville, Minnesota 56048-0389
(507) 234-5478
Superintendent, Janesville Rotary Member

Michelle Blumke
MADD-MINNESOTA
2429 University Avenue West
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
(651) 523-0802
(800) IT’S MADD
Youth Coordinator
Youth In Action

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