Y&G Sac Central Bulletin #22: One Week More.....

Well, we made it. This week marks our final regular weekly meeting. It will be our 22nd regular meeting of the year. We've conquered two weekends in Fresno, a lot of reading, a lot of research, a lot of preparation, and it all comes down to this next week or so. The 70th ML/C is your time to shine. It will be what you make of it - you are in control of your experience and the choices you make will impact your time and that of everyone around you. For some, it will mark your third and final Sac Conference. For some, it will mark your first. For all of you: make it count by making friends, making memories, and making a difference. You represent your family, your school, your YMCA, your delegation, and, most importantly, yourselves, always. How do you want to be known?

You are not anonymous. You matter. The choices you make matter - for worse or for better. You have more power than you think. You can change the world if you want to. And you can start today. 

Bulletin Stuff: Sponsor Speeches reminder: Jimmy and Miraya should be prepared to give their bill sponsor speeches this week. 

1.) Meeting Schedule: This week's meeting, February 7, is a MANDATORY pre-conference meeting. All delegates must attend. New delegates must bring a family member along. Returning delegate families are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

1b.) Jeopardy - Round 2: Questions will focus on our real structure of government as conference information we'll review tomorrow.

2.) Delegation Dinner (at Conference): One of our favorite traditions returns - Delegation Dinner at Sac Conference! (For information about our year-end banquet, scroll down!) We'll return to Oishii Sushi this year for food and karaoke fun on Friday, during the conference. This is one of two meals covered during Sac Conference. We need your dinner order in advance.

Please place your order here by Wednesday, February 14: http://bit.ly/SacCDelDinnerOrder 

3.) 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!

- 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'!

3a.) Early Arrival Delegates: Brenna Leigh and Natalie - make sure you have reviewed the Early Arrival email and know where to be and when! 

4.) School Attendance: Hopefully, you've alerted your school as to your absence next week.Participation in Y&G constitutes and excused absence under the education code. Here's a sample excused absence letter you can take to your school. Don't return it to me! I don't need it. :)

5.) Pie for the Y Volunteers STILL Needed: YMCA Staff reached out to us with this request: "Pie for the Y" is coming up on February 10th and we need 5 to 6 volunteers from 8:00 am- 1:30 pm, to help make pies, collect money,  be crowd control, and most importantly clean up afterward!" This fun event is part of our Annual Campaign which raises money to support our delegation and all YMCA programs. Sign up today! This helps our delegation of distinction application and can get you service hours if you need them!

Reminders:

- Annual Campaign Is Underway! Each year, YMCAs around the country hold their Annual Support Campaign. Our very own Sacramento Central YMCA campaign is underway and we need YOU to join! 100% of our Volunteer Advising Team has already made their pledge. We hope you'll join us by giving online today at http://bit.ly/saccentraldonate or via the form available here.

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

We are currently at 31%

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! 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

Online tickets have a small service fee attached. If you want to avoid that fee, you can pay me in person at meetings until February 7. Online ticket sales will end February 22. ***If the ticket cost presents a financial hardship, let me know ASAP. We don't want anyone staying home due to financial concerns***

Deadlines:
- I&A Party Chair Application - Deadline Extended. Applications are available in Reggo and are due February 7th in Reggo. More info in previous bulletins You don't need to be in I&A currently to apply.
- MUN Secretariat Application Extension. Applications are available in Reggo and are due February 9th in Reggo. More info in previous bulletins
- Conference on National Affairs. Application in Reggo. Due Feb 12. Must request Lead Advisor Recommendation by the end of tomorrow night's meeting. More info in previous bulletins.
- Youth & Government Governing Board Position. Applications are available in Reggo and are due February 12. More info in previous bulletins.
-  Buddy Challenge - Due Feb 18 : Here is a link to the list of buddy pairs/groups and our photo scavenger hunt challenge. Start now! Photos must be uploaded before the close of the Governor'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!
- 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.

Family Corner: 

Communication is Key! There will be additional information emailed between now and the conference. Please remind your delegate to check their email, groupme, and remind frequently (read: daily) between now and the conference. If your delegate will not have a cell phone at conference, please email me ASAP so I know. 

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. 

This Week's Meeting: As mentioned, it is mandatory for delegates and new delegates must have a family member in attendance. Returning delegates are encouraged, but not required, to have a family member with them. 

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. 

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Mark your calendars for these key events!
Ongoing: Annual Campaign. Donate online or via this form. 
February 7, 2018 Mandatory Pre-Conference Meeting
February 14, 2018 NO MEETING! Get a good night's sleep!
February 15, 2018 Annual Campaign Challenge Deadline for Raffle Entry
February 15-19, 2018 (Sacramento) Model Legislature & Court
February 19, 2018: Buddy Photo Scavenger Hunt Upload Deadline
February 28, 2018: 2nd Annual CapCo Celebration Banquet