Program Area Descriptions And Allotments 2015

Senate(2)/Assembly(4)  - Delegates debate bills on the floor of the legislature. Great balance of public speaking and discussion of a variety of issues affecting California.

NIC (2) : National Issues Commission - Commissioners each develop and present their own proposal (like a bill) on a national or international issue. Debate begins in smaller commissions and successful proposals move on to larger and larger groups. Good opportunity to ease into a public speaking role. Also attracts passionate debate.

Lobbyist(1): - Delegates are assigned bills to work for or against and work to persuade Senators and Assemblymembers. Sometimes will speak for bills they may not agree with, which is good practice in public speaking. After presenting to Legislative Committees, Lobbyists work together to write an initiative (like a proposition in real life) and get other delegates across the program to sign it. Can apply to be a Governor's Lobbyist the following year. Great for delegates with a sharp sense of salesmanship.

Board of Education(0)  - A smaller group. Great for delegates to collaborate in teams yet not speak in front of large groups. Looks specifically at one current issue within education and comes up with ideas on how to improve it. Can run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction the following year.

Assistant Legislative Analysts (1)   - Assigned to a Legislative Committee as the impartial expert on a bill. Responsible for figuring and presenting how much money the bill will save or cost the state. Will present analysis to Senate/Assembly body if the bill makes it out of committee. Good intro to public speaking and can potentially have a profound impact on the passage/defeat of a bill. Can run for State Legislative Analyst the following year.

Department of Finance(1)– Spinoff of ALA program. Groups will prepare a state budget. There will be research and debating of issues in a small group setting.

ConCon (1) : State Constitutional Convention. Tackles the challenge of writing the State Constitution from scratch in three days. Will work in smaller groups and debate in larger discussions. Well run and for those who are motivated. Great for Seniors!

Appellate Court (1) - Try cases based on the way previous cases were settled. Only way to be a judge (very cool!). Great for those more interested in debating matters of law than deciding facts of a case. Less work in some ways than Trial Court since delegates will not have to prep any witnesses.

Judicial Review(0)   –Great for returning court delegates looking for more of a challenge. Appellate court type program which will deal with a factual scenario developed to evaluate the constitutionality of a bill from a previous ML/C.

Bench Trial (Trial Court)(1) - Try a case with a partner. The type of court on TV (e.g. Law & Order). Get to prep a witness and make arguments in front of a judge. Great practice for those who are considering the career of a lawyer. Good route for delegates interested in Jury Trial, the more advanced version of Trial Court.

Media(1) – Combo of Broadcast Media and Press Corps. Focus on written media, social media, and a broadcasted news program. Get a press badge to walk around and check out the different program areas. Great for creative delegates. Can apply to be an editor the following year.

Political Parties(0)   – Help with campaigns for statewide candidates. Recruit members to join your party. Must have initiative, be responsible, and be able to manage your time efficiently.

Political Polling(0)   – Small group that will learn about measuring and interpreting polling results as well as data collection, bias, and how to phrase questions. Members will work closely with Political Parties, Media, Gov office, and Lobbyists

IAC(0)   - International Affairs Commission – This is NOT the NIC with an international focus. It is instead a group looking at major international issues facing our planet. The program will focus on small group collaborative work, research, technology based presentations, public speaking, and debate.