Your October payment is due by tomorrow, 10/13 at 11:59pm. If you have not already, please pay online here.
At the October 18th meeting you will:
- Discuss your drafted bill language
- Have your bill worksheet completed (draft is okay)
- Start refining your speeches for Bill Hearing Night
- Choose roommates for Sac Conference
Bill Group, Bill Drafting, and Bill Hearing Night Info:
Bill Group Assignments: bill groups are set and even now. No swaps, please.
Soda Tax:
Sponsor: Bruce. Group members: Jacob, Alex, Cameron
Bill language here; Bill worksheet here.
LegAn report here.
Dash Cams:
Sponsor: Keymora. Group members: Zack, Aaron, Miraya
Bill language here; Bill worksheet here.
LegAn report here.
Peace Officer Mental Health:
Sponsor: Natalie. Group members: Connor, Ting Ting, Delaney
Bill language here; Bill worksheet here.
LegAn report here.
Journalism Licensing:
Sponsor: Liam. Group members: Miranda, Jimmy, Brenna Leigh
Bill language here; Bill worksheet here.
LegAn report here.
You should come to this week's meeting with bill language drafted in the appropriate google doc with bill worksheets completed (at least in the solid draft stage).
- Finding the right place to put your bill in state law is the trickiest part of the process, but don't let it get you down! Watch this video on how to find a home for you idea.
- When you are ready to write your bill language, watch this video to better understand the three parts of a bill as we write them in Y&G.
- Bill drafting is hard! But you can do it. Your advisors are here to help, so reach out for assistance when you need it. It's a learning process, not a test.
- All groups have some solid leads that were discussed at this week's meeting. Research links are in most bill worksheets (see question 10). Those are good jumping off points. There are also many organizations that develop sample legislation for just about every topic under the sun. Google can you help you find them (try "[your idea] model legislation" as a search). Also, chances are, if a topic interests you, it probably interested a legislator recently. Do some key word searches in the bills that were introduced in the real state legislature - perhaps you'll find a good starting point for your idea. Maybe you can fix a vetoed bill or one that died in committee.
- For those who want to dive deep into bill details, you can check out this Common Bill Mistake and How to Avoid Them document.
By next week's meeting, each bill group member should have a role within the group that they'll play for Bill Hearing Night. Note that part of the fun - and a challenge in this program - is to sometimes take on a role that you wouldn't normally agree with. You might have to argue hard against a bill that you personally might support (or vice versa). That's okay! Arguing the opposite position to your beliefs helps you anticipate what the other side will say (a big advantage) and challenges your mind to see things from someone else's point of view. That's a good thing.
The roles are:
- 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 2 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 and a 1 minute summation speech.
- Lobbyist Against: Lobbyists against a bill have one mission: KILL THE BILL! Con-Lobbyists must prepare a 2 minute Con speech and a 1 minute summation 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.
- Legislative Analyst: The Legislative Analyst isn't for or against any bill. The Analysts job is to ask questions about the impact of the bill and whether, from as unbiased a perspective as possible, they think it would be a GOOD or a BAD idea for California. A lot of this, of course, comes down to money. Analysts spend a lot of time saying "cool idea, how you gonna pay for it tho?" Analysts prepare a 2 minute report. They do not give a summation speech. Each group has an Analysts report document in the google drive linked above. Analysts can work with the Sponsor on the Bill Worksheet because there is a good amount of cross over between the questions on the Worksheet and the Report questions. Ultimately, Sponsors will use worksheet information persuasively and Analysts will use worksheet information objectively.
- 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 will be chaired by your officer team using this Bill Hearing Night Script.
Parents and guests 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.
Parents and guests will also be asked to track the following criteria (comes from NIC proposals, but handy for bills, too)
- 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)
And here's what else you need to know this week:
1.) Chipotle Fundraiser A Smashing Success!: Thank you to everyone who shared the word and turned out for our Chipotle Fundraiser on October 6. Region-wide we raised over $1500 to support delegate program access. Good work!
2.) Bill Hearing Night: Our annual Bill Hearing Night is coming up faster than you think! Parents and delegates, mark your calendars for November 1. The event is mandatory for all delegates and parents won't want to miss this chance to see what delegates have been working on so far this year. We'll convene at Historic Sacramento City Hall (instead of our usual meeting location). More details to come, but make sure you note the date now and make plans to attend.
3.) Mandatory Meetings: October 25, November 1, and November 8 are all mandatory meetings for all delegates. Make sure you attend each meeting. November 8 is our pre-conference meeting. Parent attendance is required for new delegates and recommended for returning delegates.
Remind Reminder:
- Remind: If you aren't receiving Remind texts, text "@sacc70" to 81010
Parent Corner:
Payment Due This Week: As mentioned above the October payment was due at this week's meeting. If you have any questions about the amount due or concerns about ability to pay, please contact Christiana.
Bill Hearing Night As mentioned above, Bill Hearing Night is November 1 and we encourage all delegate families (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) to attend. It's also a great opportunity to show off the program to school officials and community leaders. If you know someone you think we should invite to Bill Hearing Night, please let Christiana know by Monday, October 16.
Upcoming Mandatory Meetings: Our practice bill hearing night, November 1 Bill Hearing Night, and November 8 Pre-Conference Prep meetings are all mandatory for delegates. New delegate parents should also plan to attend our November 8 Pre-Conference meeting. Returning delegate parents are welcome, but not required to attend on November 8.
Missed a bulletin?
Need to make a payment?
Mark your calendars for these key events!
October 13: $375 Payment Due
October 25: Mandatory Practice Bill Hearing Night
November 1: Bill Hearing Night (Mandatory)
November 8: $375 Payment Due
November 8: Pre-Conference Meeting (Mandatory for delegates and new-delegate parents)
November 10-12, 2017 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference I
December 3, 2017: Volunteer Opportunity: California International Marathon Aid Station
December 15: Final $375 Payment Due
January 13-15, 2018 (Fresno) Training & Election Conference II
February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.