ADVISORS BULLETINS
Although the actual Youth in Government conferences are conducted almost
entirely by students, it is the preparation and coordination done by
the YMCA professionals, adult advisors, and adult volunteers that make
the program possible.
YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT AND THE YMCA
Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government is a program of the Downtown Branch
of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis
THE STATE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
The Youth in Government Model Assembly program is unique in that participation
and program involvement exists through the cooperative efforts of many
YMCAs statewide. Because of this fact, the State Board of Management,
the governing
body of Youth in Government, operates with the interest of a state-wide
constituency in mind. The State Board of Management is responsible for
managing the affairs
of the program. These include approving appropriate program activities,
developing and approving the budget, acting as liaison between Youth
in Government and
government officials, financial development, and nominating and electing
its own members.
In conjunction with the Board of Management are the Board of Governors
and the State Steering Committee. The Board of Governors is composed
of influential
spokespersons from around the state. This board offers the program
support through ambassadorship and public relations. The Steering Committee
is
entirely student-operated and makes decisions on specific program improvements,
adjustments
and youth elections.
THE YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT STATE OFFICE
The Youth in Government State Executive Director is employed by the
YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis upon recommendation of the Board
of Management.
The Executive Director is responsible for instituting all programs
and activities of Youth in Government. Other duties include fundraising,
helping to start
new delegations, maintaining contact with YMCAs, hiring additional
staff
members as needed, and serving as the staff person to the State Board
of Management.
Additionally, the Youth in Government State Office is served by a
State Program Director and a State Office Coordinator, both working
full-time
to arrange,
plan and conduct the many different aspects of Minnesota YMCA Youth
in Government.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SPECIALISTS/ASSISTANTS
Individual program planning and coordination is the responsibility
of the State Office staff and is carried out with the aid of
Volunteer Program
Specialists and Volunteer Program Assistants. The Volunteer Program
Specialists and Volunteer
Program Assistants are Delegation Directors or adult volunteers
who take responsibility for a specific component of Model Assembly
and
maintain
its smooth operation.
Volunteer Program Specialists take part in developing the program
areas they lead as well as being that program area's primary
resource person.
They become
experts in their program area to answer participant questions
at the Session and to ensure a productive flow of activity.
Volunteer Program
Specialists
are offered an honorarium annually to offset the additional
time and effort required by their positions.
Volunteer Program Assistants are adult advisors who have a
desire to work with a specific component of Model Assembly
but are not
required to make
the time commitment required of a Volunteer Program Specialist.
While all adult advisors are expected to participate in the
overall supervision
at
Model Assembly the Volunteer Program Specialists and Volunteer
Program Assistants act as the primary resource people for
the participants in each program area
of Youth in Government. Volunteer Program Assistants are
essential in helping to develop appropriate activities for the program
year.
All support work needed will be provided by the State Office
staff. (Typing, mailings, ordering, making required arrangements.)
Responsibilities
for
Volunteer Program Specialists and Volunteer Program Assistants
for each program are
described below:
HOUSE, SENATE, HUMPHREY HOUSE, STASSEN SENATE, SIBLEY HOUSE,
RAMSEY SENATE - Youth Officer training, bill writing
instruction, supervision
of chambers,
supervision of participants, training of committee chairpersons
and clerks, provide training in parliamentary procedure,
program development.
SUPREME COURT, COURT OF APPEALS, AND TRIAL COURT COMPONENT
- Case development, brief writing training, youth justice/judge
training,
providing guidance
in then workings of the court system, supervision of
chambers, supervision of participants, program development.
GOVERNOR'S CABINET - Cabinet report writing training,
instructing participants in the duties of cabinet
members, assisting
the commissioners and Governor/Lt.
Governor in developing appropriate activities, supervision
of facilities, supervision of participants, program
development.
LOBBYISTS - Assisting participants in research, position
paper writing, bill writing, and proper lobbying
tactics and strategies,
assisting
the Lobbyist
Executive Directors in registration and disbursement
reporting, supervision of facilities, supervision
of participants,
program development.
TV NEWS STATION - Conducting TV Station training
sessions & orientations,
obtaining appropriate video equipment, arrangement of training for advisors
and youth participants, coordination of activities with the Youth Station
Manager, care and safety of all video equipment, supervision of facilities,
supervision of participants, program development.
NEWSPAPER PRESS CORPS - Training of participants,
assist the Youth Editors in coordination of
the newspaper staff, supervision
of
facilities, supervision
of participants, program development.
RADIO STATION - Obtaining equipment for radio
production and broadcasting, training of
participants, coordinating
activities
with the Youth
General Manager, supervision of facilities,
supervision of participants, program
development.
PAGES - Arranging field trips, arrange mock
government sessions, scheduling of the
various page groups
to specific program
areas, providing a thorough
introduction to all areas of Youth in Government
to participants, supervision of facilities,
supervision of participants,
program development.
RESOURCE ADVISORS - Coordinating a group
of college-aged Model Assembly alumni
who work
directly with
the specific program
areas, supervision
of facilities,
program development.
HOTEL DIRECTORS (6) - Staff hotel information
office for participants during hotel
program hours, coordinate
appropriate
hotel supervision
after normal
program hours, handle all disciplinary
action at the hotel, provide transportation
for
participants as requested
by
the Program Specialists.
EVENING ACTIVITIES/STATE OFFICE ASSISTANT
- Setup of on-site evening activities,
supervision of
events, coordinate off-site
evening
activities, assist in
operation of State Office during
Model Assembly activities, supervision of
facilities, program
development.
DELEGATION DIRECTORS
The Delegation Director is a YMCA
professional, volunteer, teacher
or parent who assumes
responsibility for
a delegation. The Delegation
Director
recruits
student participants, completes
the delegation registration and schedules
regular meetings
of the delegation
to pass along information
and
coordinates delegate preparation.
The Delegation Director is also
expected to recruit adult advisors
and chaperones
for the
delegation.
Advisors must attend all
official Model
Assembly functions.
A ratio of one adult for every
ten students is required. The
Delegation Director,
advisors and
chaperones
will also be required
to assist
in program supervision
during the Model Session in January
and at the State Convention in
the
fall.
All Delegation
Directors and adult advisors
are encouraged to sign
up to
supervise programs that interest
them and serve as
Volunteer
Program Specialists and Volunteer
Program Assistants if they have
a strong
interest in any
particular area.
PRE-PLANNING TIPS
* Secure YMCA or school administrative
approval/support (Youth in
Government is annually endorsed
by the MN Secondary School
Principals Association
and the MN Academic Excellence
Foundation)
* Read, read, read this Advisor
Kit!
* Identify key leadership for
the delegation through YMCA,
school,
community groups
and volunteers
* Identify local funding resources
(community organizations, businesses,
individuals)
* Secure program resources
* Contact established delegation
advisors, YMCA staff, teachers,
former participants
and parents.
HELPFUL HINTS IN GETTING STARTED
1. Look to the YMCA Board or
Committee members who might
have connections
with schools or
local school
boards.
History has
shown that strong
support within the schools
can be a crucial ingredient
to a
successful delegation.
2. Two approaches to consider:
A. Meet with a teacher to
discuss program ideas and
let that
person tell you
the best way to
establish Youth
in Government
at his/her
school.
B. Meet with the school
principal and let him/her
direct you
to the appropriate
staff
person.
3. When talking to teachers,
a logical place to start
is in the
Social Studies
department.
Let
the chair
of the
department suggest
teachers
who might be
interested. Meet with
the whole department if possible
so everyone
knows what the program
is about.
4. Don't forget to include
other contacts with
other departments as you recruit
students: participants
need not
always come
from Social Studies
Departments
or "gifted and talented" programs. Look at including students of
all academic achievement ability levels and socio-economic backgrounds, races
and interests.
5. Making short presentations
to selected classes
or meeting with
students after
school to discuss
Model
Assembly is
effective in
recruiting youth.
Don't forget about
the high school-age
youth
that are
already coming
to your YMCA. See
if some of
them might
like to
become involved.
Whenever possible,
have youth make presentations
to their peers, the "pitch" is more
effective when it comes from a peer and students tend to be very excited
about having an opportunity to "sell" the program.
6. In any discussion
about Model Assembly,
emphasize
the fact
that its activities
are curriculum-related.
The program
is
a learning
tool for
taking classroom
discussions and
turning them into first-hand
experiences in
the governmental process.
Let people know
that this is a unique
experience
that began
in 1946 in Minnesota
and
has a long tradition
of academic
excellence.
7. It is wise to
remember that
Youth in Government
is not
for everybody!
To get
youth, adult,
volunteer, administrative
and
local support
form the school
systems and YMCA
(all at
one time) is
a tough task.
Only those students
and adults who
really see the
benefit of
such a program
will
find the
going smooth.
| 
