What is Michigan Youth in Government?
YMCA Michigan Youth in Government is a model government program for teens across the state of Michigan. The middle school program has three different program areas in which students can get involved in. With having such a wide variety of programs there is truly something for everyone!! Click the links below to get more insight of what each program has to offer!
Lansing Conference Details
- Dates: November 12 - 14, 2023 OR November 19 - 21, 2023
- Check in on the 13th & 20th will be 1:00pm. Check out on the 15th and 22nd will be 11:30am.
- Early Conference Schedule
- Late Conference Schedule
- Parent Information Flyer (Featuring meal information, dress code, etc.)
- Candidate Preparation Guide (Students running for Lt. Governor or Speaker of the House)
- Leadership Preparation Guide (Chairs, Clerks, or Inspirational Leaders)
- Talent Show Sign Up
- Dress Code Guide
- *NOTE: Masks are optional at the conference, but must be worn while in the Cooley Building. Please have your students bring masks.
Program Area Choices
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Senate – There are 38 seats in Michigan’s Senate. The Senate is led by the Lt. Governor who is supported by a Clerk and a Secretary. Each delegation is allocated 1 Senator in each color (Red, White and Blue) for every 15 delegates registered for the conference, capped at 2 Senators per delegation, per color. Senators write bills, discuss and amend bills in committee, recommend bills for consideration in the chamber (passaged in committee) and debate the passage of bills during House sessions. House – There are 110 seats in Michigan’s House of Representatives. Representatives make up the majority of the Youth in Government delegates in the program. Representatives write bills, discuss and amend bills in committee, recommend bills for consideration in the chamber (passaged in committee) and debate the passage of bills during House sessions. The Legislature program is a simulation of the Michigan Government. Students write a bill in which they could see becoming a law. Students and their bills are assigned to a committee and either the House or the Senate. Throughout the program the students, acting Senators and Representatives discuss their bill in committee and in session. Once the bill passes committee, House and Senate it is then put onto the Youth Governors desk. |
Students combine into teams of 4 to compete in a six round debate tournament. Each year we select a topic for the CIF debate and the Political Compromise sessions. Recent topics include the banning of zoos, water diversion changes to the Great Lakes compact and equipping schools with school resources officers. Student debate the merits of the assigned question in a formal timed debate.
The Political Compromise Program’s objective is to provide students a framework that requires cooperation and compromise to create a single resolution based on a predetermined topic. Students will meet in their assigned special interest group to determine what policy ideas they want to present in committee. Then, students meet in their assigned committee and discuss policy ideas from all three interest groups. They will then vote on which policy ideas they want to go forward to General Assembly. Students will alternate meeting in their special interest group and committee. When prepared with policy ideas, students will meet in General Assembly with all program participants to officially vote on and form the final resolution.