MA YMCA Youth & Government » Program Overview
What is Y&G all about?
The YMCA Youth & Government motto is “Democracy must be learned by each generation.” Every person can make a difference. Youth & Government helps participants learn how.
As a YMCA program, Youth & Government focuses on: the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility,
civic engagement,
fun.
Who can participate?
High school students in grades 9-12. Limited numbers of middle school students serve as pages.
Advisors can be YMCA staff, teachers or volunteers.
College staff alumni serve in various ways.
What do participants say about Y&G?
“I learned that being thrown into a situation I could stay afloat..." - Delegate
“It’s awesome and my other family...” - Delegate
How much time does it take?
Youth & Government delegations meet every one or two weeks after school or in the evening beginning soon after school starts. Each meeting is usually 60-90 minutes.
All delegates participate in three Pre-Legislative Conferences that are 9AM – 4PM on Saturdays.
Communication and follow-up are key to successful delegations and is easy with e-mail.
The Model Government Conference is held in early spring over three days from Thursday morning until Saturday afternoon. Officers attend leadership training the Wednesday before the conference begins.
All participants are expected to complete any missed school work.
What do delegates do in Y&G?
There are many ways to participate in Youth & Government. Delegates choose one of the following areas:
- Legislative Branch
- Judicial Branch: Limit of 40- 50 delegates
- Executive Branch: Limit of 10 delegates
- Press Corps: Limit of 15 delegates
Delegates may also choose to join a legislative caucus or a political party. Delegates may also serve in leadership positions.
Legislative Branch
Roles:
- Representative
- Senator
- Any delegate can serve as a legislator.
- The Senate has 40 members. Each delegation selects its Senator(s).
- All other legislators serve in the House of Representatives.
Legislative Leadership Roles:
- Committee Chairman/woman (Any legislator eligible)
- Senate President (Senior)
- Speaker of the House (Senior)
- House and Senate Sergeants-at-Arms (Any legislator eligible)
- House and Senate Clerks (Any legislator eligible)
- House and Senate Chaplains (Any legislator eligible)
Legislative Responsibilitie:
- All legislators serve on a committee.
- Each committee is assigned bills written by other legislators (so that no legislator will be on a committee that can vote on his or her bill).
- There are up to 12 committees with 12-15 members each.
- Legislative Responsibilities
- Write a bill. Each bill has one author, though delegates may help each other research and write bills.
- Present the bill to a committee. Be prepared to answer questions and effectively communicate why this bill should be enacted into law.
- Serve on a committee made up of Senators and Representatives.
- Listen to sponsors present bills, ask questions, debate the merits.
- Make an informed vote.
- Serve in the Senate or House of Representatives to hear and debate bills that have passed committees.
Judicial Branch
Any delegate may serve as an attorney.
Judicial Leadership Roles
- Assistant Attorneys General – appointed by Attorney General (Any attorney eligible)
- Attorney General – Elected (Jr. or Sr. with at least one year judicial experience)
- Associate Justices – Appointed (At least one year judicial experience)
- Chief Justice – Appointed (At least one year judicial experience)
Judicial Branch Responsibilities
- Attorneys serve as members of a team or “law firm”
- Prepare written briefs
- Prepare and present oral arguments
- May represent legislators when bills are challenged by the Attorney General
Executive Branch
- Governor: elected in the junior year to serve in the senior year.
- Lt. Governor: elected in the junior year to serve in the senior year.
- Cabinet: Eight members appointed by the Governor and Lt. Governor. Any legislative delegate is eligible to apply.
Press Corps
Any delegate is eligible to apply to serve on the Press Corps.
Roles:
- Reporter
- Photographer
- Assistant Editors for layout, news, features, etc.
Press Corps Leadership Role:
- Editor-in-Chief – appointed (At least one year experience on Press Corps)
Press Corps Responsibilities:
- Work together to produce the Y&G newspaper, The Beacon, to be distributed at Pre Leg 3 and the Conference
- Produce on-line version of The Beacon for additional news coverage
- Write news briefs for the Y&G website portal
|
