El Dorado Youth and Government Delegation Bulletin #17

"Do or do not. There is no try."

Yoda

NOTE: No Meeting this week! We will not meet on December 21, 28, or January 4. Meetings will resume Thursday, January 11 with a mandatory pre-conference meetingin advance of our January 13 T&E II departure. 

1.) Training & Elections Conference II: Back to Fresno: Our next conference is Saturday, January 13-Monday, January 15. Our mandatory pre-conference meeting will be held Thursday, January 11 (this is also our first meeting back after the break). Our travel schedule will be roughly the same as it was on the way there (depart at about 9:30 on Saturday, return about 3pm on Monday). We'll be staying at the Wyndham Hotel again. You should again plan on bringing a sack lunch for the trip there.

You can pre-order lunch for the trip home here. Orders must be received by Jan 11. 

2.) Final Payments: Final payments were due by last Friday. All delegate accounts should be at zero before December 22 unless you have an extended payment plan agreement in place. Please pay online or bring a check to the YMCA (payable to "Sacramento Central YMCA" with your name in the memo line) ASAP! If you have any questions about your remaining balance or payment-related concerns, please contact Dylan immediately. 

3.) National Judicial Competition. Applications for the 2018 YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) are now available in Reggo. NJC is a national YMCA judicial competition held in Chicago, Illinois. NJC is an amazing opportunity for Court delegates to take their Y&G experience to the next level. The selection process is highly competitive, awarding 28 delegates the opportunity to participate each year. The conference will be July 26-August 2, 2018. NJC applications are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 21 in Reggo. For more information on NJC, go to the NJC Resources page or ask Lauren Tilley, who attended last year's NJC.

Helpful Links:

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?

Mark your calendars for these key events!
December 21: No Meeting
December 28: No Meeting
January 4: No Meeting
January 11: MANDATORY Pre-Conference Meeting
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference II
February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court

Y&G Sac Central Bulletin #16: Winter Break Edition

We're on break for the next couple of weeks. No meeting this week (12/20), next week (12/27), or the week after (1/3). BUT we do have 2 events over the holiday break at which we hope to see you! Read on for more . . . . 

1.) RSVP for our Alumni/Delegate Holiday Mixer, Thursday, December 28: Just one of the many benefits you receive by participating in Y&G is connection to a large family of those who have come before you - and those yet to come. On December 28, join us for our annual (okay, it's been missing lately, but it's back!) family reunion at the 2017 Sac Central Delegation Holiday Mixer. This is a chance to meet and network with delegation alumni who have gone before you. Learn about their college choices, career paths, and more. Please RSVP here by Friday, December 22.

Please complete the form even if you cannot attend so that I know you at least read the bulletin. It's all I want for Christmas! 

2.) Bill Boxes: We will have a Bill Boxes working day on Wednesday, January 3, from 10am to 3pm at the CalYMCA headquarters, located at 1792 Tribute Road, Suite 480, Sacramento CA 95815. (map) Delegates will help copy and file bill supplement packets for all bills statewide. It's a lot of work, but with many hands to help, it won't take too long. Lunch will be provided.

3.) Training & Elections Conference II: Back to Fresno: Our next conference is Saturday, January 13-Monday, January 15. Our mandatory preconference meeting will be held Wednesday, January 10 (this is also our first meeting back after the break). Our travel schedule will be roughly the same as it was on the way there (depart at about 9:30 on Saturday, return about 3pm on Monday). We'll be staying at the Wyndham Hotel again. You should again plan on bringing a sack lunch for the trip there. You can pre-order lunch for the trip home here. Orders must be received by Jan 11.

4.) Final Payments: Final payments were due by last Friday. All delegate accounts should be at zero before December 22 unless you have an extended payment plan agreement in place. Please pay online or bring a check to the YMCA (payable to "Sacramento Central YMCA" with your name in the memo line) ASAP! If you have any questions about your remaining balance or payment-related concerns, please contact Dylan immediately.

5.) Winter Break is A Great Time to Catch Up With Your Buddy!: Here is a link to the list of buddy pairs/groups and our photo scavenger hunt challenge. Photos must be uploaded before the close of the Govenor's Banquet at Sac Conference! Good luck! Returners - it's your job to check in with your buddy to see how their year is going!

6.) National Judicial Competition. Applications for the 2018 YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) are now available in Reggo. NJC is a national YMCA judicial competition held in Chicago, Illinois. NJC is an amazing opportunity for Court delegates to take their Y&G experience to the next level. The selection process is highly competitive, awarding 28 delegates the opportunity to participate each year. The conference will be July 26-August 2, 2018. NJC applications are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 21 in Reggo. For more information on NJC, go to the NJC Resources page or ask Brenna Leigh, who attended last year's NJC.

7.) Annual Campaign Team Leaders: I am looking for a volunteer to head up our Sacramento Central Annual Campaign Team. The job entails reaching out to your fellow delegates and tracking participation in our annual campaign. Also, you'll be working with leaders from Eldo on setting coalition-wide goals. Our participation goal is set, however: 100% participation from every delegate family. Remember, every dollar counts, so even $1 counts as participation! The campaign will kick off at our January 10 meeting and run through February 15 at ML/C check-in.

Parent Corner:
Delegate Communication: Encourage your delegates to chat with you about what is going on in Y&G, especially when it comes to events outside of our regular meetings. Make sure they check in with you on family schedules before RSVPing to events so that they can stick to the plans they make!  

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?

Mark your calendars for these key events!
December 15: Final $375 Payment Due
December 20: No meeting
December 27: No meeting
December 28: Sac Central Delegation Holiday Alumni/Delegate Mixer
January 3: No meeting
January 10: MANDATORY Pre-Conference Meeting
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference II
February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court
February 19, 2018: Buddy Photo Scavenger Hunt Upload Deadline

El Dorado Youth and Government Delegation Bulletin #16

"From the end spring new beginnings."

Pliny the Elder

1.) Holiday Party Meeting This Week: Our holiday party this year will be graciously hosted by Ashley Fehr and her family. It will be held on Thursday, December 14, at [CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR ADDRESS]. 

The theme will be ugly sweater so be sure to wear your best attire. Family groups have all been tasked with bringing a dessert and a snack, so check with your family leader on what to bring. 

2.) Final Payment of the Year Due This Week: Final payments are due by Friday. Please pay online or bring a check to our party this Thursday! 

3.) National Judicial Competition. Applications for the 2018 YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) are now available in Reggo. NJC is a national YMCA judicial competition held in Chicago, Illinois. NJC is an amazing opportunity for Court delegates to take their Y&G experience to the next level. The selection process is highly competitive, awarding 28 delegates the opportunity to participate each year. The conference will be July 26-August 2, 2018. NJC applications are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 21 in Reggo. For more information on NJC, go to the NJC Resources page or ask Lauren Tilley, who attended last year's NJC.

4.) Holiday Meeting Schedule: We will not meet on December 21, 28, or January 4. Meetings will resume Thursday, January 11 with a mandatory pre-conference meeting in advance of our January 13 T&E II departure. 

As always, thank you for reading and I will see you on Thursday!

Helpful Links:

Missed a bulletin?

Need to make a payment?

Mark your calendars for these key events!

December 14: Delegation Holiday Party (SEE EMAIL FOR ADDRESS!)

December 15: Final $375 Payment Due

December 21: No Meeting

December 28: No Meeting

January 4: No Meeting

January 11: MANDATORY Pre-Conference Meeting
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference II

February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court

Y&G Sac Central Bulletin #15: Let's Celebrate!

New Info: 

1.) Delegation Holiday Party and Secret Santa Gift Exchange. A holiday tradition returns with our Holiday Party and Secret Santa Gift Exchange. Santa assignments will be distributed at this week's meeting. There is a $10 limit on gifts and funny/white elephant/simple gifts are encouraged. Candy is always a good choice! And who doesn't like socks for Christmas . . . .  If you lost your person's information, all info can be found here. Hopefully you remember your person's name, though - that I can't tell you since I don't know who pulled whom from the hat!

Natalie's family has graciously offered to host our party this year.  See your email inbox for their address. Please complete this spreadsheet to indicate what you'll bring to the potluck. You only need to bring enough to feed 6 people or so.

If you cannot attend: make sure to let Christiana know and, if possible, drop your Secret Santa gift (LABELED with a To/From) at the front desk of the YMCA on W Street by 4pm on Wednesday 12/13 so we can take it to the party on your behalf!

2.) Final Payment of the Year Due This Week: Final payments are due by Friday. Please pay online or bring a check to our party this Wednesday!

3.) SacC Buddies: Here is a link to the list of buddy pairs/groups and our photo scavenger hunt challenge. Photos must be uploaded before the close of the Govenor's Banquet at Sac Conference! Good luck! Returners - it's your job to check in with your buddy to see how their year is going!

4.) RSVP for our Alumni/Delegate Holiday Mixer, Thursday, December 28: Another holiday tradition returns with the 2017 Sac Central Delegation Holiday Mixer. This is a chance to meet and network with delegation alumni who have gone before you. Learn about their college choices, career paths, and more. Please RSVP here by Friday, December 22.

Still Important Info:
1.) Elected and Appointed Leadership Opportunities - DEADLINE EXTENDED! Now that you have your program area assignments, I encourage you to see whether there are leadership opportunities available. If so, you should apply/run! http://bit.ly/LeadershipInfoMatrix Applications are available in Reggo and are due December 11 (11:59pm). If you submit an application - and you should! - make sure to let Christiana know so she can approve your application by the CalYMCA deadline.

There is literally NOTHING to lose by making a run at an elected or appointed leadership position. It's great interview or campaign experience, and leadership comes with some fun benefits (like early Sac Conference arrival). Our delegation has a very strong history of leadership positions, so you benefit from a good reputation going in. Get out of your comfort zone and give it a shot!

2.) Special Program Area Applications: If you would like to apply for California Emergency Team, Jury Trial, or the Supreme Court, that application is now available in Reggo. Please complete the application for your desired program area ASAP and let me know when you have completed it so that I can approve it. Applications are due by December 11 (11:59pm). Information about each special program area can be found at the Leadership Info Matrix link.

2a.) National Judicial Competition. Applications for the 2018 YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) are now available in Reggo. NJC is a national YMCA judicial competition held in Chicago, Illinois. NJC is an amazing opportunity for Court delegates to take their Y&G experience to the next level. The selection process is highly competitive, awarding 28 delegates the opportunity to participate each year. The conference will be July 26-August 2, 2018. NJC applications are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 21 in Reggo. For more information on NJC, go to the NJC Resources page or ask Brenna Leigh, who attended last year's NJC.

3.) Holiday Meeting Schedule: We have our last regular delegation meeting of 2017 this coming Wednesday, December 6. Our holiday party will be held Wednesday, December 13. We will not meet on December 20, 27, or January 3. Meetings will resume Wednesday, January 10 with a mandatory pre-conference meeting in advance of our January 13 T&E II departure.

4.) Swim With Santa. The following delegates volunteered to help with Swim With Santa on Friday, December 15 at the Sacramento Central YMCA (2021 W Street). If you signed up, please arrive at 4:45pm to help with set-up and plan to stay through 8:15pm to help with clean-up after the event. You should ask for Ali when you arrive, the Aquatics Director, who is in charge of the event. She will assign you to a volunteer role. Attire: please wear jeans, your delegation sweatshirt, and any festive holiday accessories you might have (santa hats, etc). No need to buy anything new if you don't have any on-hand.

Jacob	Becker	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Zachary	Hansen	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Connor	McLaren Finelli	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Jimmy	Wong	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Keymora	Robertson	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Natalie	Brown	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Brenna Leigh	Nancarrow	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Ting Ting	Pu	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Delaney	Roybal	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Bruce	Tran	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Miranda	Villarreal	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed

5.) Bill Boxes: We will have a Bill Boxes working day on Wednesday, January 3, from 10am to 3pm at the CalYMCA headquarters, located at 1792 Tribute Road, Suite 480, Sacramento CA 95815. (map) Delegates will help copy and file bill supplement packets for all bills statewide. It's a lot of work, but with many hands to help, it won't take too long. Lunch will be provided.

Parent Corner:

Keeping Up With The Bulletins. Help us get your delegates prepared for our final two conferences by checking in with them to make sure they are reading the bulletins and responding when required - especially over our long winter break!  
 
Payments and Scholarships: Final program payments are due December 15. Y-Assist applicants have been notified of their awards. Please make sure to reply to the notification email so I know you received it. If the remaining balance still presents a hardship, please let me know. We want to make sure all of our delegates cross the finish line!

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?

Mark your calendars for these key events!
December 6: Regular Meeting
December 13: Delegation Holiday Party
December 15: Final $375 Payment Due
December 15: Swim With Santa Volunteer opportunity at the YMCA
December 20: No meeting
December 27: No meeting
December 28: Sac Central Delegation Holiday Alumni/Delegate Mixer
January 3: No meeting
January 10: MANDATORY Pre-Conference Meeting
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference II
February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court

El Dorado Youth and Government Delegation Bulletin #15

"No one has ever become poor by giving."

Anne Frank 

Special Note: Thank you to everyone who volunteered at the CIM on Sunday. It was very early and very cold but you still showed up to help the thousands of runners who participated. It really speaks to your character that you would brave the early morning cold to help others. Thank you again!

1.) Program Area Selection Draft:This Thursday we will be selecting our program areas for T&E II and Sacramento Conferences. Please review this list of program areas and begin to decide on your top choices. The more points you have, the higher the chances you have on picking the program area you want! Check here to see how many points you have. 

If you are going to be late or absent on 12/7, you will need to complete this form so that we have your role selection "proxy." (A proxy is someone you designate to act in your place). Make sure you complete this form ASAP! http://bit.ly/roleselectionproxy 

If you don't complete the form, you will be placed in a remaining program area(s). 

2.) Special Program Area Applications: If you would like to apply for California Emergency Team, Jury Trial, or the Supreme Court, that application is now available in Reggo. Please complete the application for your desired program area ASAP and let me know when you have completed it so that I can approve it. Applications are due by December 11 (11:59pm). Information about each special program area can be found at the Leadership Info Matrix link.

2a.) National Judicial Competition. Applications for the 2018 YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) are now available in Reggo. NJC is a national YMCA judicial competition held in Chicago, Illinois. NJC is an amazing opportunity for Court delegates to take their Y&G experience to the next level. The selection process is highly competitive, awarding 28 delegates the opportunity to participate each year. The conference will be July 26-August 2, 2018. NJC applications are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 21 in Reggo. For more information on NJC, go to the NJC Resources page or ask Lauren Tilley, who attended last year's NJC.

3.) Holiday Meeting Schedule: We have our last regular delegation meeting of 2017 this coming Thursday, December 7. Our holiday party will be held Thursday, December 14, location to be determined. We will not meet on December 21, 28, or January 4. Meetings will resume Thursday, January 11 with a mandatory pre-conference meeting in advance of our January 13 T&E II departure. 

As always, thank you for reading and I will see you on Thursday!

Helpful Links:

Missed a bulletin?

Need to make a payment?

Mark your calendars for these key events!

December 7: Regular Meeting

December 14: Delegation Holiday Party (Location TBD)

December 15: Final $375 Payment Due

December 21: No Meeting

December 28: No Meeting

January 4: No Meeting

January 11: MANDATORY Pre-Conference Meeting
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference II

February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court

Y&G Sac Central Bulletin #14: Fa la la la lots of dates to note

A big thank-you to all who turned out to help with CIM yesterday! It was a long, but fun, event and everyone did a great job!

Here's what you need to know this week (pssst - lots of dates and a reading test!!!!): 

1.) Elected and Appointed Leadership Opportunities - DEADLINE EXTENDED! Now that you have your program area assignments, I encourage you to see whether there are leadership opportunities available. If so, you should apply/run! http://bit.ly/LeadershipInfoMatrix Applications are available in Reggo and are due December 11 (11:59pm). If you submit an application - and you should! - make sure to let Christiana know so she can approve your application by the CalYMCA deadline.

There is literally NOTHING to lose by making a run at an elected or appointed leadership position. It's great interview or campaign experience, and leadership comes with some fun benefits (like early Sac Conference arrival). Our delegation has a very strong history of leadership positions, so you benefit from a good reputation going in. Get out of your comfort zone and give it a shot!

2.) Special Program Area Applications: If you would like to apply for California Emergency Team, Jury Trial, or the Supreme Court, that application is now available in Reggo. Please complete the application for your desired program area ASAP and let me know when you have completed it so that I can approve it. Applications are due by December 11 (11:59pm). Information about each special program area can be found at the Leadership Info Matrix link.

2a.) National Judicial Competition. Applications for the 2018 YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) are now available in Reggo. NJC is a national YMCA judicial competition held in Chicago, Illinois. NJC is an amazing opportunity for Court delegates to take their Y&G experience to the next level. The selection process is highly competitive, awarding 28 delegates the opportunity to participate each year. The conference will be July 26-August 2, 2018. NJC applications are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 21 in Reggo. For more information on NJC, go to the NJC Resources page or ask Brenna Leigh, who attended last year's NJC.

3.) Holiday Meeting Schedule: We have our last regular delegation meeting of 2017 this coming Wednesday, December 6. Our holiday party will be held Wednesday, December 13. We will not meet on December 20, 27, or January 3. Meetings will resume Wednesday, January 10 with a mandatory pre-conference meeting in advance of our January 13 T&E II departure.

4.) Delegation Holiday Party and Secret Santa Gift Exchange. A holiday tradition returns with our Holiday Party and Secret Santa Gift Exchange. Santa assignments will be distributed at this week's meeting. There is a $10 limit on gifts and funny/white elephant/simple gifts are encouraged. Candy is always a good choice! And who doesn't like socks for Christmas . . . . 

Natalie's family has graciously offered to host our party this year. See your email inbox for their address. Next week's bulletin will include further details about our pot-luck style event.

5.) Swim With Santa. The following delegates volunteered to help with Swim With Santa on Friday, December 15 at the Sacramento Central YMCA (2021 W Street). If you signed up, please arrive at 4:45pm to help with set-up and plan to stay through 8:15pm to help with clean-up after the event. You should ask for Ali when you arrive, the Aquatics Director, who is in charge of the event. She will assign you to a volunteer role. Attire: please wear jeans, your delegation sweatshirt, and any festive holiday accessories you might have (santa hats, etc). No need to buy anything new if you don't have any on-hand.

Jacob	Becker	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Zachary	Hansen	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Connor	McLaren Finelli	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Jimmy	Wong	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Keymora	Robertson	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Natalie	Brown	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, but I do not want to swim
Brenna Leigh	Nancarrow	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Ting Ting	Pu	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Delaney	Roybal	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Bruce	Tran	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed
Miranda	Villarreal	Yes, I can help on Friday, Dec 15, including in-pool help if needed

6.) Bill Boxes: We will have a Bill Boxes working day on Wednesday, January 3, from 10am to 3pm at the CalYMCA headquarters, located at 1792 Tribute Road, Suite 480, Sacramento CA 95815. (map) Delegates will help copy and file bill supplement packets for all bills statewide. It's a lot of work, but with many hands to help, it won't take too long. Lunch will be provided.

7.) Alumni/Delegate Holiday Mixer, Thursday, December 28: Another holiday tradition returns with the 2017 Sac Central Delegation Holiday Mixer. This is a chance to meet and network with delegation alumni who have gone before you. Learn about their college choices, career paths, and more. More details in next week's bulletin.

8.) READING TEST: Complete this reading test and be entered to win a special holiday prize.

Parent Corner:
Payments and Scholarships: Final program payments are due December 15. Y-Assist applicants have been notified of their awards. Please make sure to reply to the notification email so I know you received it. If the remaining balance still presents a hardship, please let me know. We want to make sure all of our delegates cross the finish line!

Dress Code. In February, Delegates must dress for our final conference of the year in Sac Attire. For returning delegates, the rules have not changed too much. The major exception is that an "outer layer" is now required for all delegates. Here is the presentation from last week if you would like to review the dress code requirements this year.

For new delegate families, I like to highlight this requirement while there is still time to augment wardrobes, if necessary. It's worth noting that professional attire will be available at extremely low cost at "Sac Rack" at our Fresno conference in January. You can also find dress-code appropriate pieces at thrift stores. Delegates do not need to purchase expensive new wardrobes or full suits. Black dress pants, several dress shirts, and a couple of sweaters (and ties, if needed) are all that is needed to dress for the 4 days of professional attire required at our conference in February. If you have any questions about whether specific pieces are dress code compliant or you have concerns about acquiring attire, let me know ASAP. We have lots of ways to help!

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?

Mark your calendars for these key events!
December 6: Regular Meeting
December 13: Delegation Holiday Party
December 15: Final $375 Payment Due
December 15: Swim With Santa Volunteer opportunity at the YMCA
December 20: No meeting
December 27: No meeting
December 28: Sac Central Delegation Holiday Alumni/Delegate Mixer
January 3: No meeting
January 10: MANDATORY Pre-Conference Meeting
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference II
February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court