It's so nice to be a growing delegation! At this past meeting, we welcomed two new delegates and two more prospective delegates. Our guest speaker (Julie Baker from Californians for the Arts) spoke about how organizations (and people) determine what public policy to support or oppose. The major takeaway: what would *you* expect to hear about a public policy proposal in order to support it? Keep this question in mind as we head into our bill development process.
Also, please bring the Legislative Handbook packet to all future meetings. If you haven't already, please create a Y&G folder or binder to keep your paperwork organized. I have extra folders if needed..
At the next meeting: You'll learn about more Y&G's court and media program areas. We'll divide into bill groups based on general policy areas of interest. Also, we will set aside 10 minutes to register for the T&E 1 conference (those who have already registered can help with the Reggo system).
What's due: Your $15 Field Day Payment; Fall Event Form.
Here's what else you need to know this week:
1.) Wake Up to This Week's Current Event: Come to this weeks meeting prepared to debate this bill - something most of you may find highly relevant to your lives! Here's one background article on the issue - I'm sure there are more if you look. As you look at bills, and as we start to think about the bills we'll write this year, keep the following 10 questions in mind (the basic info legislators and lobbyists have to keep in mind when trying to pass or kill a bill):
- What problem does the legislation help or solve?
- Where did the idea come from?
- Who would be happy to have this problem solved?
- Who would be sad to see the problem solved (or to see it solved in this way)? I.e., who benefits from keeping things the way they are?
- Would the changes under the new law cost money to implement? What would the costs be for? Who pays for it and how? (i.e.: Do you need a new tax? Do you end another program or pull funds from another program? Do you create a user-fee or fee specific to the legislation? Are costs borne by the entire state?) Who would be affected by the changes? In what way? (who benefits, who bears any burden, does it impact equally on all, etc.)
- What research have you conducted so far? (Include website addresses, names of publications, etc)
- What would opponents of this bill say about it and what research would they rely on?
- Where could an interested person find out more about the issue? (For example: links to advocacy groups or community organizations, additional research, state agency websites, etc.)
2.) Sweatshirt Designs: This year, our sweatshirts will be gold (not shiny--more like this color). Sweatshirt design ideas are due by our October 3 meeting, at which we'll vote on them. Here is an album of previous shirt designs from the Sacramento Central delegation, for inspiration. All designs need to incorporate the Gold Country delegation name and be Y-appropriate (no drug, alcohol, or offensive designs). Please make the design no more than two colors to keep costs down (black and white count as colors).
3.) Returners - Check This Out: Returning delegates can get a jump on elected and appointed leadership apps by checking out this information on elected/appointed positions. Returning delegates have a lot more options and we HIGHLY encourage you to take a chance and apply or run for office! Applications are already available in Reggo (click here for info on how to access applications).
4.) New Delegates ONLY - Check This Out: In Y&G, all delegates are part of a political party - but the parties aren't like real world parties. There are six and they are organized around various policy ideas. Please check out this google form and complete it by ranking your top 4 choices for political party this year. Returners will return to the same parties as last year and have an opportunity to change parties after T&EI; returners should not complete this form.
REMINDERS
Post-Volunteering After-Party! After volunteering at SYRCL's Yuba River Watershed Cleanup Day, we'll head up to Pioneer Park for SYRCL's afterparty 1-3pm, which includes a great lunch. Please join us if you can! If nearby parents can facilitate rides from the volunteer spot to Pioneer, it would be very helpful.
Get Informed: You can't set good policy if you don't know what's going on in your community, the state, the country, and the world. Here are some resources for staying informed. Start a new habit by starting your day with a quick review of the headlines:
- Rough & Tumble - a headline aggregation site that runs down the top California headlines each day.
- The Union - our hometown paper!
- Sacramento Bee - a regional favorite!
- Governor's Pres Releases - At this time of year, usually at least once a day, the Governor issues a press release about the bills he has signed and vetoed. Check out veto messages - they can give you ideas on how to improve a bill you might think is a good idea that didn't make it this session.
- Capital Public Radio State Government News - The Legislature adjourned its session at 3am on Saturday morning - now, a bunch of bills have died or are heading to the governor. Read over the latest State Government news - a great place to find bill ideas!
Weekly Meetings: Delegates should be at 240 Mill Street (side door) in downtown Grass Valley ready to get to work at 6:30pm each week. Please feel free to join us a little early if it helps your schedule work out--our officers meet from 6-6:30pm, and all are welcome to sit in and observe quietly. Our meetings end at 8:00pm. Delegates should bring a notebook, folder with Y&G handouts, pen or pencil, and calendar/planner to every meeting.
Financial Aid: Financial assistance is available and information and applications are available in the paperwork packet. We cannot emphasize this enough: financial concerns should NEVER prevent a delegate from participating in Y&G. Don't ghost! Talk to MaryJane if financial concerns ever arise.
Fall Volunteer Events and CapCo Field Day: Our SYRCL Cleanup event is this weekend! Then we have Field Day and S'moresfest. If you haven't signed up yet, do it quick!
Family Corner:
Join us for S'moresfest 2019! Each year, the YMCA's fall fundraising gala provides us with the opportunity to meet fellow YMCA supporters as we eat BBQ and gourmet s'mores, drink beer and wine, and shoot arrows. (Yes, all of that happens). Parents are invited for a great date night out for a great cause. Early bird tickets are just $50 each and are on sale now! Sponsor opportunities are still available. And we're still on the lookout for a last couple of live-auction packages. If you have a vacation home or an interesting job/connection/idea for a behind the scenes tour or experience, contact MaryJane today!
- MaryJane
Lead Advisor, Gold Country
415-515-4945
Helpful Links:
Mark your calendars:
September 13- Paperwork and First Payment Due
September 26 - Sweatshirt Designs Ideas Due
September 28 - CapCo Field Day (sign up here)
October 12 - S'moresfest 2019 (sign up to volunteer here)
October 18 - Payment 2 Due
October 28 - Mandatory Bill Hearing Night @ Grass Valley City Hall, 6:30-8pm
November 7 - Pre-Conference meeting, Mandatory for new delegate families, encouraged for all
November 9-11 - Training & Elections Conference 1 (Fresno)
November 15, 2019 - Payment #3 Due
December 13, 2019 - Payment #4 (final) Due
January 18-20 - Training & Elections Conference 2 (Fresno)
February 13-17 - 72nd Model Legislature & Court (Sacramento)
We are committed to equal program access for all and are dedicated to ensuring the benefits of Y&G are available to every student in our community without regard to financial need. No delegate should ever drop out or refrain from joining because of financial concerns. If you want to do this program, we want you to do this program.
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