PROGRAM OVERVIEW

     Youth in Government is a program sponsored by the State YMCA of Michigan for middle school students. Students conduct legislative sessions at the House and Senate Chambers in the State Capitol in Lansing. Bills for the Youth in Government Legislature are prepared by the youth for this state law-making experience. Each youth legislator is required to write and present a legislative bill on a state issue.

    Another part of the program is the Contemporary Issues Forum. This is a debate on a current issue. Standard Debate format will be used. Each team is composed of four students, two for the affirmative and two for the negative.

Purpose 

     The purpose of the Michigan YMCA Youth in Government program is to develop within youth a dedication to the values of democracy and leadership in the democratic process. 

Program Cost 

  • Students  $175.00
  • Advisors $195.00 

     Cost includes two nights at the Causeway Bay Hotel, banquet, t-shirt, dance, student bill book and all program materials, and transportation to the Capitol Building. Costs are based on students rooming 4 to a room and advisors 2 to a room. Advisors may request a single room at an additional charge. 

Refund Policy 

     A $50.00 nonrefundable fee will be withheld for any student who drops up to two weeks prior to the Lansing conference. No refund is available after this period 

Delegations and Roles 

  • All 6th-8th grade students who desire to further their knowledge of state government and civic responsibility may attend if in good standing with their school. 
  • All candidates for leadership roles in the Green or Red Legislature must be in the 7th or 8th grade and have at least one year’s experience at the YIG Lansing conference.
  • Candidates for leadership roles in the Blue Legislature must be in the 6th grade or be a first-year seventh grader.

Nomination and Election of Candidates 

     Each school group or YMCA club participating in Youth in Government may submit one nomination for each position, provided the candidate meets the qualification for the office for which he or she is running. All elections will be done on the first day of the conference. 

Delegate Assignments 

     “All delegates will be in the legislature or the Contemporary Issues Forum.” The role of a legislator is to debate and vote on bills that come before the selected committees and the House and Senate. The state office will make assignments to the House and Senate. The Contemporary Issues Forum will be a debate based on the Standard Debate model.

Dates to Remember

Application forms & registration fees due: October 16, 2009
All of the following are due with your applications:

  • All Fees
  • Bills
  • Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House applications
  • Committee chair applications
  • Clerk Applications
  • Chaplin Applications
  • Contemporary Issues Forum Final Registration form

Lansing Conference Dates: November 22-24, 2009

Please mail (do not fax) the appropriate material to the following
address:

Michigan Youth In Government
P.O. Box 65
Quincy, MI 49082


© 2010 Michigan Youth in Government