Local youth will have an opportunity to get involved with the Republican Party and learn what it stands for.

Young Republicans is a social and political organization for members of the Republican Party between the ages of 18 and 40. The national organization is The Young Republican National Federation. It is also organized into state chapters and local clubs that sponsor social events and provide members with the opportunity to get involved with Republican political activities.

The Union County Young Republicans will hold its first meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. in the law library of the Union County Courthouse. This will be Union County’s first Young Republican group. Tyler Shugart said its purpose will be to help the youth of the county understand the party, its ideas and goals and provide them with the opportunity to become politically active.

“We really just want to give young people the opportunity to get involved with the party at the grassroots level,” he said. “We want to get back to what the Republican Party was created for and that’s fighting for local government.

“Sometimes young people might feel intimidated by older party members with more experience and this just gives them a chance to get involved and learn what the Republican Party is about,” he said. “We want to bring young people into the Republican Party, to provide them with an opportunity for political expression and recognition, to train them as political workers, and provide them with a practical means to contribute to the development and betterment of the party as a service to Union County, to South Carolina and to America.”

Shugart said active membership is open to any resident of Union County ages 18-40. Associate membership is open to any resident that does not fall into that age group. He said Thursday’s meeting will focus on organizational issues and will also feature talks by Republican officials, candidates and activists.

“We will approve a Constitution, elect officers, and plan organizational goals and objectives,” he said. “We have invited several elected local and state officials, and GOP candidates, along with officials from the South Carolina Federation of Young Republicans.”

For more information call 426-0464 or 251-4051 or send email to unioncountyyoungrepublicans@gmail.com.