Delegation Bulletin #12: Bill Hearing Night - meet at 5:30pm

Bill Hearing Night is tomorrow! We've moved up our meeting time to allow groups to fine-tune their presentations and practice before our 6:30 start time. We meet AT CITY HALL. Don't come to the Y, you'll be very lonely.

You've all done a great job - time to show off your research. Here are some last minute reminders.

Bill Hearing Night
1.) Timing is everything and practice makes awesome!
Practice your sponsor speeches and arguments to make sure you don't go over your time limit. The procedure and time limits are listed below. Also, film your practice or ask a parent or friend to watch. Ask them to help you cut down on the "ums" or "likes."  And practice your power posing! Stand tall, stand still, speak out - you know your stuff, don't be shy!

2.) How do you yield your time?
You have several options on how to answer that question when you're done speaking.
"I yield my time to the chair" - when you're done speaking and don't want anyone to ask you questions.
"I yield my time to questions" - when you want to encourage interaction and welcome questions
"I yield my time to the author sponsor/summation speech" - if you're a sponsor or lobbyist and want to give yourself more time for the big finish.

3.) Two-part questions?
If you want to ask someone a two-part question, start by saying "does the speaker yield to a two part question."

4.) Audience prep
If your parents are coming, or any other guests, encourage them now to be active, ask questions, and participate. Bill Hearing Night is the most fun when there is a lot of back-and-forth. And it has the added benefit of making your bill stronger.

Training & Elections Conference IA.) Buses depart at 3:45 on Saturday morning. Be safe and arrive at 3:30am. Don't take chances - it is a LONG drive.  Robbie will be there to check you in. Rob and Christiana will see you at Camp Roberts. You'll get your sweatshirts when you arrive.
B.) Bring a highlighter and spend some time looking over the schedule when you receive it. Ask a returner or advisor if you need help interpreting the schedule. Remember, except for social events, no activity on the schedule is optional. Be where the schedule tells you to be - always!
C.) If you want to, download the Groupme app and familiarize yourself with it before we go. If you're not receiving groupme texts, email Christiana with your cell number. We'll use groupme to stay in contact and provide updates during the conference. Please do not use groupme (or your phones) during sessions. Be respectful. Phones should be off and away during sessions.
D.) PACK LIGHT: there's a potential that you'll be lugging your luggage quite a distance this year. In case you are, make sure you can carry your belongings! pillow/sleeping bag/clothes for 2.5 days. That's all you need.
E.) PACK LAYERS: it's going to be around 70 degrees between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Once that sun dips and before it comes up, expect temps between 50 degrees and the freezing mark. Hats. Gloves. Scarves. A COAT. Pack 'em. It's going to be colder than you think.
F.) Pocket money: we'll stop for breakfast on the way down and lunch on the way back (fast food, nothing fancy). That's all the money you'll need. Many delegations, however, sell items (tshirts, food, etc) to raise money during the conferences. Bring extra money if you'll want to buy any of that stuff.
H.) Button Sales! We've gone over this 0%, but we have buttons we're selling to raise money for ourselves. I need sales people to volunteer to walk around at meal times and free times to sell buttons. Easy job. Make friends. Shake hands. Good times! Max will be the ring leader on Sunday, but I need a Saturday leader, too.


BILL HEARING PROCEDURE:

1. Clerk reads enacting clause of Bill (“An Act To Add/Amend/Repeal Section XYZ of the ABC Code, related to ______________”)
2. Sponsor’s speech (3 minutes) – purpose and major provisions of Bill
3. Questions of intent and interpretation – these are questions about what a bill does and how it does it. Not about the merits of the bill (for Bill Hearing Night, the chair will recognize hands and encourage questions from the audience, too)
4. Lobbyists
1. For (2 minutes)
2. Against (2 minutes)
3. For (2 minutes)
4. Against (2 minutes)

5. General discussion among Committee members (Chair will recognize raised hands; includes audience members and guests)
6. Chair closes discussion
7. Lobbyists’ summation speeches
1. For (1 minute)
2. Against (1 minute)
8. Sponsor’s summation speech (2 minutes)
9. Clerk reads enacting clause

Coming Up:

November 6:$260 payment deadline; BILL HEARING NIGHT! (MANDATORY)
November 9-11:Training & Elections Conference I - be at the Y at 3:30am!
Nov 13:Conference review; bill clean up and final preparation for submission; role selection; Bob II elected/appointed discussion
Nov 15:Bill drafts due
Nov 20:Campaigns and Holiday Festival planning
Nov 27:No meeting – Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov 30/Dec 1:Holiday Festival Promotional Blitz – volunteers needed
December 4:$260 Payment due; Final bill work; NIC proposal ideas and program area prep; Bob II elected/appointed
Dec 6:ML/C registration (role selection) due; Concessionaire’s due
Dec 6:Final Bill drafts due
Dec 6:Elected/Appointed Leadership Due
December 8: Holiday Festival Promotion at the Antique Fair – volunteers needed
December 15:Holiday Festival at the Y (all hands – and then some - needed!)