Welcome to the YMCA MYIG Middle School Program
YMCA Michigan Youth in Government is a student run, student led model government program for teens across the state of Michigan. We provide the content and resources for delegations to organize locally to prepare for regional and statewide events. 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!
Important 2024-2025 Dates
2024 Date:
November 17th - 19th, 2024 @ Crowne Plaza Hotel
OR
November 24th - 26th, 2024 @ Crowne Plaza Hotel
Deadlines:
TBD
Lansing Conference Details
- Sample 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)
- Student Code of Conduct Form
- Talent Show Sign Up
- Packing List
- Dress Code Guide
- Sample Bill Book
Program Area Choices
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Senate – There are 38 seats in Michigan’s Senate. Senators should be students who are passionate about debate or that have experience in the program. The Senate is led by the Lt. Governor who is supported by a Reading and Writing Clerk. There is a limit of 3 Senators per delegation, per color. Senators write bills on state topics, discuss and amend bills in committee, and debate bills in the chamber that were passed during committee sessions or in the opposing chamber. 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. The House is led by the Speaker of the House, who is supported by a Reading and Writing Clerk. Representatives write bills on state topics, discuss and amend bills in committee, and debate bills in the chamber that were passed during committee sessions or in the opposing chamber. The Legislature program is a simulation of the Michigan Government. Students write a bill on a state topic of their choice that 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 chamber. Once the bill passes committee, as well as House and Senate, it is then put onto the Youth Governor's desk to be signed into law or vetoed. |
Students combine into teams of 2 to compete in a six round debate tournament. Each year we select a topic for the CIF debate and the Political Compromise programs. 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 and must be able to argue both sides of the issue.
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.