El Dorado Youth and Government Delegation Bulletin #24

Below is your weekly (and final) El Dorado Youth and Government Delegation Bulletin #24. 

This is what you need to know this week:

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

Seneca

Sacramento Conference is here! Take this opportunity to push yourself, get outside of your comfort zone, and make Sacramento memorable. This conference is the culmination of all of your hard work this year, so make the most out of it. Remember that you're not anonymous. The things you do matter because you matter.  Raise your hand, share that viewpoint, speak with confidence, own the room! Your advising team is so proud of you and we know you're going to do GREAT THINGS this week.

The conference begins this Thursday, February 15. Your check-in window is 10:15a-10:45am Head for the Sacramento Convention Center entrance at K and 13th Streets. Take your luggage to Exhibit Hall E and then find Christiana & Dylan for your registration materials and badge. LABEL YOUR LUGGAGE (Name, Delegation, Sheraton Hotel) Don't forget to arrive wearing Sac Attire!

Once delegates are checked-in, they are required to remain within conference boundaries for the duration of the conference. Guests and Visitors are not permitted. Delegates must attend all assigned sessions. No sessions are optional except for evening social events. 

Delegates must be picked up from the Sheraton Hotel between 9:45a-10am on Monday, February 19. Please make sure delegates are picked up on time!

Bulletin Stuff: 

1.) Pre-Conference Letter: This letter was distributed at last week's meeting. Please review it carefully. If you have questions, ASK! If a parent/guardian did not attend last week's meeting, make sure you bring back (just!) the tear-off slip, signed, to conference check-in on Thursday.

2.) Conference Prep Info: here's the presentation from last week's meeting. 

3.) And here's the MLC Schedule. You will be provided a hard copy of the schedule when you check-in on Thursday. Take a look at it now to familiarize yourself with your schedule. The days in Sac are LONG! Get some extra sleep between now and Thursday if you can! 

4.) Early Arrival Delegates:  Make sure you have reviewed the Early Arrival email and know where to be and when! And the more recent emails from Freddie if you're in houses! Pack extra sac attire for Wednesday. You may need it. 

5.) Voter Guide: Delegation elections will be held on Monday, February 19 at 8:30am. Make sure you review candidate statements and the voting process. Be informed voters! http://bit.ly/eldovoterguide2018

6. ) Top 5 things to bring:
Besides Sac Attire (and some casual clothes and shoes) make sure you bring:

• Food money
• Band-aids for blisters
• Pen and Highlighter
• Delegation sweatshirt
• Your "A" Game!

Reminders:

- Annual Campaign Challenge Ends Thursday! Join us in giving online today at http://bit.ly/eldodonate2018 or via the form available here.

Our goal is 100% delegate participation. Participation starts at just $1. 

We are currently at 46%

If you give $1 or more by conference check-in on February 15 and you'll be entered into a drawing for a $50 Starbucks gift card. The first family group (our delegation counts as one family group) to hit 100% participation will win a special prize!

- Celebration Banquet Returns! Online ticket sales will end February 22  Join us on Wednesday, February 28 for our Second Annual Capitol Coalition Celebration Banquet. It's a fun evening featuring presentations from various program areas, awards, and maybe a guest speaker or two. We will again meet at Old Spaghetti Factory in Rancho Cordova. Tickets are $15 each and cover salad, your choice of one of three entrees (#mizithracheesethisyearyall), and dessert. Thank you to the Old Spaghetti Factory for providing complimentary beverages again this year - we appreciate their support! Tickets can be purchased here https://capcobanquet.brownpapertickets.com

***If the ticket cost presents a financial hardship, let me know ASAP. We don't want anyone staying home due to financial concerns***

Deadlines:

- Awards Season! Via google form, available here: nominations can be made here, Due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 15th. For a list of all awards and a description of each, click here.

- Program Area Specific News:

• Bill Sponsors (primary, secondary, and author) 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! Here's the committee docket. 
• Court delegates should be preparing their cases
• DOF and LegAn delegates should be preparing to present their proposals
• This list is not exclusive! If you have stuff to do before Sac conference, get workin'!

Family Corner: 

Code of Conduct: Please take a few minutes to read the Code of Conduct and to have your delegate do the same. It is important to review these expectations prior to Thursday. Violations of the Code may result in your delegate being sent home and, in certain instances, bar their future participation in this program. If you have any questions about the Code, let me know ASAP. 

Conference Transportation: Because we're the home team, delegates are responsible for their own transportation to and from downtown Sacramento for the conference. Delegates may not, under any circumstances, drive themselves to or from the conference. It is a violation of the CalYMCA Code of Conduct and delegates found to have driven themselves to conference will be sent home. 

Sac Conference Meal Budget: Unlike previous conferences, only two meals are provided during our final conference of the year. Delegates are responsible for feeding themselves. A budget of approximately $80-$100 is recommended, depending on your delegate's tastes and appetite. Delegates will need to eat breakfast before they come to the conference next Thursday. They can bring a sack lunch that day as well. They will be responsible for their own dinner Thursday; Breakfast and lunch on Friday; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Saturday; and Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday. Dinners are provided on Friday and Sunday night. You will pick them up on Monday morning from the conference between 7 and 8am, so they can eat breakfast at home. 

We STRONGLY encourage delegates to bring some quick, non-perishable breakfast foods with them as breakfast is generally the most overpriced meal that is the hardest to obtain in the shortest amount of time before session - especially on Friday morning. Instant oatmeal, granola bars, bananas, etc, are a very, very good idea. Refrigeration is not guaranteed available in hotel rooms. Food is available locally at every price point and many K Street restaurants have specials during our conference. 

If this presents a financial hardship, please contact me ASAP. No delegate should go hungry. 

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

Missed a bulletin?

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Mark your calendars for these key events!

Ongoing: Annual Campaign. Donate online or via this form. 

February 15, 2018 Annual Campaign Challenge Deadline for Raffle Entry

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

February 28, 2018: 2nd Annual CapCo Celebration Banquet