This is what you need to know this week:
"
The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opposition than from his fervent supporters."
Walter Lippmann
1). Bill Hearing Night - THIS THURSDAY!: Bill hearing night is this week! This year's bill hearing night will be Nov. 2nd starting at 6pm in B3. We will be splitting up the delegation into two groups, one group will go from 6-7:30 and the second group will go from 7:30-9pm. The event is mandatory for all delegates and your parents/friends won't want to miss this chance to see what delegates have been working on so far this year.
Delegates in the 6-7:30pm time slot MUST be in B3 BY 6pm. Delegates in the 7:30-9pm time slot MUST be in B3 BY 7:30pm. All delegates will also need to be in Sac attire for this event. Below is the list of which families will go during each time slot:
6-7:30pm slot:
- 1st Borg
- 2nd Arico
- 3rd Merchant
- 4th Parish
- 5th Melehani
7:30-9pm slot:
- 6th Adams
- 7th Driscoll
- 8th Durham
- 9th Stafford
- 10th Causley
Speeches:
By this week's meeting, you need your draft speeches prepared. Here is a reminder of the roles and speech-lengths for each:
- Bill Sponsor: Generally, this is the person who came up with the bill idea. Sponsors will need to prepare a 3 minute sponsor speech to give at the opening and a 3 minute "summation" speech to give at the closing. Sponsor speeches should be full of evidence of research, highlight the necessity of the bill, and why the bill is a good idea.
- Lobbyist For: Lobbyists in support of the bill should work with the Sponsor. Pro-Lobbyists want to support the Sponsor, reinforcing what is good about the bill and why it should pass. The Pro-Lobbyist's mission is to get the bill passed! Pro-Lobbyists can also bring up arguments in favor of the bill that wouldn't fit in the Sponsor's speech. Pro-Lobbyists must prepare a 2 minute Pro speech.
- Lobbyist Against: Lobbyists against a bill have one mission: KILL THE BILL! Con-Lobbyists must prepare a 2 minute Con speech. Con speeches should have evidence of research, not just a "this bill is bad" statement. You'll need to tell the audience what specifically is wrong with this bill and why it would be bad public policy. You can suggest changes that would save the bill as well.
- NOTE: Summation speeches for all members may need to be flexible to incorporate arguments against whatever your initial speech was about. Some delegates choose not to pre-write their summation speech but to improvise instead based on the discussion that has taken place during the bill presentation.
- Sponsor and Lobbyist speeches are persuasive. For tips on persuasive speech writing, check out this doc.
Bill Hearing Night Format:
We will have a panel of 6 judges who will be determining which of the 10 bills advances to conference. Judges will have three opportunities to participate:
1.) They can ask questions of intent and interpretation
2.) They can participate in general discussion
3.) They get to weigh-in on the bill that proceeds to Sac Conference via scorecards.
Judges will also be asked to track the following criteria:
- Evidence of Research: Did speakers cite research? Is it evident the speaker has facts to support the bill and gives a well-prepared presentation? An ideal speech is both informative and well supported.
- Debatability: Is there room for argument on the bill? Does it spark emotional or logistical debate? Does the bill encourage intense and energetic debate on both sides of the issue presented?
- Feasibility: Did the Sponsor describe a practical way of implementing and enforcing (if applicable) the idea? Ideal presentations will detail methods for implementing the suggested policy changes.
- State Relevance: Is the issue of statewide importance?
-Creativity: Does the bill present a new or creative way of looking at an issue? Ideal bills will be both creative and practical in the way they address the issue at hand.
-Presentation-Style Feedback: Do audience members have any constructive advice for all speakers on a bill when it comes to presentation style? (i.e.: watch for time limits, don't say as many "ums," eye contact with audience, speaks too loudly or softly, fast or slow, etc)
Link to the scorecard template for your reference.
2). Bill Hearing Night Bills - Final Language: Each family needed to have their final bill language uploaded to the google folder by last Thursday. Make sure that your family has submitted your final language to me ASAP. Be sure to also have your final speeches done and rehearse them! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.
3). Bill Hearing Night Attire: Please wear "Sac Attire" to Bill Hearing Night. That is the professional dress code to which you'll need to adhere at our February conference. Sac Attire consists of wearing one article of clothing from each of 3 layers:
Bottom Layer: dress pants, suit pants, slacks, knee-length dress skirt, or knee-length professional dress. (no denim, "Dickies" style pants, leggings, yoga pants, casual pants, etc)
Top Layer: Button-down dress shirt with tie, button-down blouse, shell-type dress shirt, blouse, or knee-length professional dress.
Outer Layer (NEW THIS YEAR for girls): Blazer, suit jacket, sweater, cardigan, sweater vest.
Dress shoes required as well. No tennis shoes, please.
4). Mandatory Pre-Conference Meeting - Next Week: Our next meeting (11/9) will be mandatory. We will be going over everything related to the first Fresno Conference. This will be a meeting you do not want to miss.
5). New Fresno Security Protocols: The Fresno Convention Center facilities no longer permit standard backpacks or bags larger than 12"x6"x12". While CalYMCA will be providing small bags for everyone at check-in, you will not have access to that bag before we arrive to the conference on Friday. It is highly suggested that you bring a small tote bag (something close to the dimensions above, or around 14"x16" at the most) or grocery bag with you to hold your belongings between the time we leave our luggage at the hotel and the time we check into the Convention Center. There will be no place to check belongings at the convention center. Pack lightly for the day. You will need a pen, note paper, highlighter and, if desired, your cell phone, charger, external battery pack (if you have one), refillable water bottle, and some snacks. That's about it. You will also go through security screening at building entrances so don't bring extra metal objects and, this should go without saying, no pocket knives, etc.
6). Payment Reminder: Have you submitted your payments yet? The last payment was due on October 13th. The next payment is due on Nov. 9th for $375. Please bring a check or pay online.
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!
Need to make a payment?
Mark your calendars for these key events!
November 2nd: Bill Hearing Night, 6pm-9pm (Mandatory)
November 9: $375 Payment Due
November 9: Pre-Conference Meeting (Mandatory for delegates and new-delegate parents)
November 10-12, 2017 (Fresno) Training and Election Conference I (19 pts)
December 3, 2017: Volunteer Opportunity: California International Marathon Aid Station
December 15: Final $375 Payment Due
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training and Election Conference II
February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court
