Y&G Sac Central Delegation Bulletin #18: And then there were two [meetings]

NOTE: Delegations have SEPARATE Bulletins this week. Make sure you are reading the correct bulletin for your delegation. All referenced attachments are in your email inbox.

There are just two regular meetings left this year and they are BIG ones:

Feb 1: Sac Attire Discussion; Bill Sponsor and NIC sponsor practice speeches, CONA, other info

Feb 8: MANDATORY Delegate and Parent/Family Meeting, pre-conference prep

Here's what you need to know this week:

1.) End of the Year Celebration Banquet: Join us for our first-ever (we hope first annual!) Celebration Banquet. Delegates and their families are invited to join us for an evening at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Rancho Cordova on Thursday, March 2. Tickets and information available here. 

2.) Y&G Awards. Each year, Y&G recognizes outstanding delegates, advisors, program supporters, and program innovations. You have a chance to nominate people for these awards. Here is the form to nominate (includes descriptions of the various awards). Nominations are due by 11:50pm on Feb 16.

3.) Conference on National Affairs - The YMCA Conference on National Affairs (CONA) is a ten-day, national Youth & Government conference held in North Carolina each summer. Y&G programs from all over the country send their best and brightest to debate proposals of national and international importance. Applications are now open in Reggo and delegates are welcome to apply. CONA 2017 will be Tuesday, June 27-Friday, July 7.

The application process requires:
-Submission of a leadership application in Reggo
-Completion of a one-minute, unedited video showcasing public speaking ability (topic found in Reggo application)
-Submission of two online recommendations (one must from their delegation Lead Advisor)

-If you wish to apply, you must notify Christiana via email that you need a letter of recommendation no later than Thursday, February 9 at 11:59pm.

All application materials (Reggo application, video and recommendations) are due by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, February 14th. (You may see other deadlines publicized, but this is YOUR deadline so we can make sure your application is approved on time.) The 25 students chosen to represent California are will be announced at the Closing Joint Session in Sacramento.

4.) Annual Campaign Corner: We haven't logged many online donations yet, but I'm hoping we get a lot of forms turned in this week. You have until check-in at Sac Conference to give to enter our various friendly competition categories. A pledge form is attached or you can donate online. There are pages for each delegation: El Dorado at http://bit.ly/EldoDonate and Sacramento Central here http://bit.ly/SacCDonate

5.) Program Area Specific News:

- Bill Primary and Secondary Sponsors should make sure they meet up between now and Sac conference to make sure each has everything needed for a successful bill presentation. Primary Sponsors need to have their 2 min sponsor speech ready for committee and the floor (if your bill passes committee. Secondary Sponsors need a floor speech ready if the bill makes it over to their house.

- NIC Delegates need to have a 2 minute sponsor speech ready to go on their proposals. Keep in mind the criteria used for evaluating your proposals. Make sure you're ready!

- Court delegates should be preparing their cases

- DOF delegates should be preparing to present their proposals

- This list is not exclusive! If you have stuff to do before Sac conference, get workin'!

6.) Governing Board Youth Member Applications Available

Each year, Y&G allows delegates to apply to serve on the California YMCA Youth & Government Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the planning and policy decisions for California YMCA Youth & Government. For 2017-2018, there will be four Youth Board Members (70th Youth Governor, 70th Chief Justice and two board members selected by the 69th Youth Governor).

The Board meets approximately four times a year in various locations across the state to discuss issues that affect the program. Transportation costs will be covered by California YMCA Youth & Government. Applicants must be current juniors as they will serve through next year.

Applications are now available in Reggo and are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 16th. Candidates will be interviewed in Sacramento and the 2 delegates selected will be announced at the Closing Joint Session

7.) Delegate & Parent/Family Meeting, Feb 8: Delegates and a family member are required to attend the delegation meeting on Wednesday, February 8 for pre-conference information. If you or a parent/family member has a known conflict that evening, you must contact me in advance to let me know.

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?
Mark your calendars for these key events!
Feb 1 - regular meetingsFebruary 8, 2017: Mandatory Delegate AND PARENT/FAMILY MEMBER pre-conference meetingsFebruary 16-20, 2017 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court

March 2, Celebratory Banquet!

Y&G El Dorado Delegation Bulletin #18: And then there were two [meetings]

NOTE: Delegations have SEPARATE Bulletins this week. Make sure you are reading the correct bulletin for your delegation. All referenced attachments are in your email inbox. 

There are just two regular meetings left this year and they are BIG ones:

Feb 2: Sac Attire discussions; Delegation Primary Elections

Feb 9: MANDATORY Delegate and Parent/Family Meeting, pre-conference prep

Here's what you need to know this week:

1.) Delegation Elections - IMPORTANT - READ THIS! - In response to delegate concerns expressed at last week's meeting, we are making some additional changes to this year's election process. El Dorado Delegation Elections will occur as follows:

- The Primary Elections will be held this Thursday, Feb 2

- Candidates may run for more than one office.

- All Candidates must prepare a speech for each office they wish to pursue and should be prepared to answer questions about their qualifications and plans for THAT SPECIFIC OFFICE.

- Candidates are invited to complete this "Candidacy" form. They should fill out forms for EACH office for which they wish to run.

- Delegates/Voters can review candidate statements here.

- The top 3 candidates in the Primary will advance to the General Election held on the final day of Sac Conference (Monday, Feb 20)

- Finalists will be required to complete the candidacy form (so you may as well get a start on it now if you're running!)

- Candidates should make sure they review the requirements of all delegation officers and requirements/qualifications specific to the office for which you wish to run. Be prepared to speak specifically about any office for which you want to run. Officer descriptions are available here at the google form. 
- Candidates are strongly encouraged to wear Sac Attire to Thursday, 2/2 meeting. 

2.) End of the Year Celebration Banquet: Join us for our first-ever (we hope first annual!) Celebration Banquet. Delegates and their families are invited to join us for an evening at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Rancho Cordova on Thursday, March 2. Tickets and information available here. 

3.) Y&G Awards. Each year, Y&G recognizes outstanding delegates, advisors, program supporters, and program innovations. You have a chance to nominate people for these awards. Here is the form to nominate (includes descriptions of the various awards). Nominations are due by 11:50pm on Feb 16.

4.) Conference on National Affairs - The YMCA Conference on National Affairs (CONA) is a ten-day, national Youth & Government conference held in North Carolina each summer. Y&G programs from all over the country send their best and brightest to debate proposals of national and international importance. Applications are now open in Reggo and delegates are welcome to apply. CONA 2017 will be Tuesday, June 27-Friday, July 7.

The application process requires:
-Submission of a leadership application in Reggo
-Completion of a one-minute, unedited video showcasing public speaking ability (topic found in Reggo application)
-Submission of two online recommendations (one must from their delegation Lead Advisor)

-If you wish to apply, you must notify Christiana via email that you need a letter of recommendation no later than Thursday, February 9 at 11:59pm.

All application materials (Reggo application, video and recommendations) are due by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, February 14th. (You may see other deadlines publicized, but this is YOUR deadline so we can make sure your application is approved on time.) The 25 students chosen to represent California are will be announced at the Closing Joint Session in Sacramento.

5.) Annual Campaign Corner: We're off to a good start! So far, we've raised $201 online and more on forms - but we're not done yet. You have until check-in at Sac Conference to give to enter our various friendly competition categories. A pledge form is attached or you can donate online. There are pages for each delegation: El Dorado at http://bit.ly/EldoDonate and Sacramento Central here http://bit.ly/SacCDonate

6.) Program Area Specific News:

- Bill Primary and Secondary Sponsors should make sure they meet up between now and Sac conference to make sure each has everything needed for a successful bill presentation. Primary Sponsors need to have their 2 min sponsor speech ready for committee and the floor (if your bill passes committee. Secondary Sponsors need a floor speech ready if the bill makes it over to their house.

- NIC Delegates need to have a 2 minute sponsor speech ready to go on their proposals. Keep in mind the criteria used for evaluating your proposals. Make sure you're ready!

- Court delegates should be preparing their cases

- DOF delegates should be preparing to present their proposals

- This list is not exclusive! If you have stuff to do before Sac conference, get workin'!

7.) Governing Board Youth Member Applications Available

Each year, Y&G allows delegates to apply to serve on the California YMCA Youth & Government Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the planning and policy decisions for California YMCA Youth & Government. For 2017-2018, there will be four Youth Board Members (70th Youth Governor, 70th Chief Justice and two board members selected by the 69th Youth Governor).

The Board meets approximately four times a year in various locations across the state to discuss issues that affect the program. Transportation costs will be covered by California YMCA Youth & Government. Applicants must be current juniors as they will serve through next year.

Applications are now available in Reggo and are due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 16th. Candidates will be interviewed in Sacramento and the 2 delegates selected will be announced at the Closing Joint Session

8.) Delegate & Parent/Family Meeting, Feb 9: Delegates and a family member are required to attend the delegation meeting on Thursday, February 9 from 7:00-8pm for pre-conference information. If you or a parent/family member has a known conflict that evening, you must contact me in advance to let me know.

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?
Mark your calendars for these key events!
Feb 2 - regular meetingsFebruary 9, 2017: Mandatory Delegate AND PARENT/FAMILY MEMBER pre-conference meetingsFebruary 16-20, 2017 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court

March 2, Celebratory Banquet

Y&G CapCo Combined Bulletin #17: 3 more meetings, 1 more conference, 1 more event, and 1 big campaign

After a big weekend and a week off, I hope you're ready to give into the last few weeks of our Y&G year!

1.) Meetings return this week for both delegations. We only have 3 meetings left, make sure you attend all 3.

2.) NIC, DOF, and Legislative Analyst delegates had proposal submission deadlines this week. The approval deadline in Reggo for NIC proposals is tomorrow. Only about half of our NIC delegates have uploaded their proposals (meaning they missed OUR coalition submission deadline of 1/23). If you're in any of these program areas, make sure you look for the email I sent on Friday with proposal submission information. If NIC delegates submit late and without notifying Christiana, they risk not having their proposal approved.

3.) End of the Year Celebration Banquet: it's been a year of firsts and changes, so here's one more. We want to hold the first-ever coalition-wide celebratory banquet after Sac Conference. We need information from you to do so. (Eldo delegates who complete this form get 3 points towards their family group competition totals. That award will be presented at the banquet). Please complete this form ASAP. We hope to see most delegates and their families at this event. READING TEST ALERT: anyone who completes this form before 6pm on Thursday, Jan 26, will be entered into a gift card drawing.

4.) T&EII Survey. You should've received an email from CalYMCA with a link to a conference survey. Make sure you complete that survey. It counts towards delegation of distinction. If you can't find that email, use this link (make sure to indicate your delegation).

5.) Y&G Awards. Each year, Y&G recognizes outstanding delegates, advisors, program supporters, and program innovations. You have a chance to nominate people for these awards. Here is the form to nominate (includes descriptions of the various awards). Nominations are due by 11:50pm on Feb 16.

Annual Campaign Corner: Last week, I sent information to both delegations about this year's annual campaign. This week, I want to share with you some of my favorite data about our program - the value our volunteer advisor corps donates to our community. Each volunteer hour has a recognized value. In California, it's currently valued at $24.75 an hour. In 2016, our advising team donated the equivalent of $123,861 worth of their time to our community. That's pretty phenomenal. Donations you make to Youth & Government enable more delegates to benefit from the education we provide. And the total value contributed to our community is even higher, as you can see. Our advisors love to serve - so help us give them more delegates to serve! Your donation is 100% tax deductible and makes a measurable impact in your community. A pledge form is attached or you can donate online. There are pages for each delegation: El Dorado at http://bit.ly/EldoDonate and Sacramento Central here http://bit.ly/SacCDonate

El Dorado News:

- All leadership (delegation officers, elected, and appointed leaders, including family group leaders) must attend the leadership meeting on Thursday, Jan 26 at 6pm in B3

- Non leadership delegates must be arrived, checked-in, and in their seats by 7pm. That means get there by 6:45. We're starting without you at 7pm if you aren't there.

- For the Jan 26 and Feb 2 meetings, NIC sponsors and bill sponsors should be prepared to run through their 2 min speeches (as time allows)

Sacramento News:

- Quick leadership meeting tonight at 6:15pm

- Regular meeting begins promptly at 6:30pm - please arrive on time.
- For the Jan 25 and Feb 1 meetings, NIC sponsors and bill sponsors should be prepared to run through their 2 min speeches (as time allows)

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?
Mark your calendars for these key events!
Jan 25/26 - regular meetings
Feb 1/2 - regular meetingsFebruary 8/9, 2017: Mandatory Delegate AND PARENT pre-conference meetingsFebruary 16-20, 2017 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court

March 2, 8, or 9 (TBD) Celebratory Banquet

Y&G CapCo Combined Bulletin #16: To Fresno!

Welcome back! I hope you had a great winter break. It's time to get back to work - we have a quick sprint to the finish line!

1.) MANDATORY meetings this week for both delegations. If you want to go to Fresno, you better be there! Roommate assignments will also occur at delegation meetings this week. As a reminder, all rooms will have 4 assigned occupants.

                   1a.) If you didn't attend T&EI and thus did not receive your delegation sweatshirt, please reply to this email to let me know.

2.) Lunch pre-order: We will not stop for lunch on our return trip from Fresno on Monday. It will be a LONG time between breakfast and our return to Sacramento. Lunch pre-orders are due by 11:59pm on Thurs. Jan 12. Order here: http://bit.ly/CapCoLunch

3.) T&EII Schedule: Our next conference will start earlier than the last one. We will depart in the morning on Saturday, January 14. Our return times should remain the same. Conference information will be presented at this week's meetings.

4.) NIC Delegates: Your draft proposals are due by Thursday night. You were sent an email with links to a google drive folder and instructions. Be ready to present your proposal at this week's meeting. You need 20 copies (1 of them signed by the lead advisor) for the coming weekend. Don't miss your deadline!

5.) Elected/Appointed Leadership Applicant Notice: are you a candidate for elected office? Did you apply for an appointed position or program area? Make sure you review the conference schedule for mandatory meetings. And make sure you check your email daily for updates from program staff about interview times and details. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you show up prepared and on-time for your interviews! Also, if you are an elected office candidate it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you have any required forms (campaign disclosure, etc) completed and signed by the lead advisor in time to submit them.

6.) Final payments were due December 14 (SacCentral) and 15 (El Dorado):  If you have made your final payment, thank you! If you have a question about your balance, email Dylan ASAP at dotarrow@ymcasuperiorcal.org. You can pay online here or over the phone to the YMCA Front Desk at 916-452-9622. You can also drop a check off at the Sacramento Central YMCA (2021 W Street, Sacramento, 95818) during regular business hours, in an envelope attention to Dylan O'Tarrow.

El Dorado News: 

i.) Pre-Conference and Parent Meetings: Our first meeting of 2017 will take place on January 12 and will be a mandatory pre-conference meeting worth 6 points. Parents are encouraged to attend from 7pm to 7:30pm for pre-conference information.



NOTE: Our meeting will start at 7pm whether you are there are not. Do not arrive at 7pm - arrive 10-15 before so that you are checked in and sitting down so we can start on time. 

 ii.) Parents please also note that February 9 will be a mandatory delegate AND PARENT pre-conference meeting (10 points). Add it to your calendars now! Watch the bulletin for more details about these meetings. 

Sacramento Central News:

a.) Meeting schedule: Leadership meets at 6pm this Wednesday, all other delegates need to arrive promptly at 6:30. NIC delegates should be prepared to present their draft proposals and speeches. Candidates should also be prepared to practice their speeches. Our meeting will conclude promptly at 7:30. An advisor meeting is set to start immediately after our meeting - please make sure your rides pick you up on time. 

Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?
Mark your calendars for these key events!
January 11/12, 2017: Mandatory pre-conference meetingsJanuary 14-16, 2017 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference IIFebruary 8/9, 2017: Mandatory Delegate AND PARENT pre-conference meetingsFebruary 16-20, 2017 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court