2019-20 El Dorado Youth and Government Delegation Bulletin #16

"Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.”  – Oscar Wilde

Welcome back El Dorado and to 2020! On behalf of our advising team and myself, we hope all of you had a great holiday season and a happy new year. This year is already off to a swift start. We only have 4 more meetings left this year (yes 4!). Amazing how time flies. I am so excited to see the hard work you have dedicated to this program begin to bear fruit at our remaining two conferences. Let's buckle down and have a great beginning of 2020!

1.) Final Meeting Schedule: Our normal meetings will resume this week on January 9 and then we will have our mandatory pre-con meeting on Jan 16th. Below is a list of the remaining meetings for the year. Mark your calendars!:

• Jan 9 - Regular Meeting
• Jan 16 - MANDATORY Pre-Con Meeting
• Jan 18-20 - Training and Elections 2 Conference
• Jan 23 - Regular Meeting
• Jan 30 - El Dorado Delegation Officer Primary
• Feb 6 - MANDATORY Sacramento Pre-Conference Meeting
• Feb 13-17 - Sacramento Model Legislature and Court Conference
• Feb 23 - End of the Year Celebration Banquet

2.) Crab Feed Volunteers Needed: Eldo needs a YMCA/School volunteer event for DoD. Here's an event that would help with that and give you that warm and fuzzy volunteer feeling! The Y is partnering with Rotary for its annual Crab Feed and volunteers are needed during the day to set up (2 shifts available) and to work the event in the evening. We need about 15 people per shift. Please sign-up here: http://bit.ly/crabfeedvol

3.) Pre-Conference Prep: Some folk have stuff to do before T&E 2. If you are in the DOF, NIC, program areas, please note the items below:

• NIC: Draft NIC proposals due at T&E 2. Read this NIC proposal guide and bring some ideas to this week's meeting to crowd source research paths or to fine tune ideas. You can also check out last year's NIC proposal book for reference. Creativity and novel ideas are rewarded in this program area, so avoid the topics listed in the guide and forge your own! You will also need to bring 20, yes 20, printed copies of your draft proposal to T&E 2. 
• DoF: Draft Dept of Finance proposals due at T&E 2. You will have the chance to work on your proposal at T&E 2 for further refinement. Final proposals are due in Reggo on Jan 30. 

4.) Lunch Order - T&E 2: Everyone attending T&E 2 conference must fill out the survey link below for lunch coming home on Monday. Even if you are not planning on getting a Subway sandwich for lunch, please indicate that by selecting the "no lunch for me" option. We want to make sure everyone 1) knows they need to have lunch for themselves on Monday and 2) has the opportunity to buy lunch. http://bit.ly/capcolunch72

Parent Corner:

• Final payments for the year were due by December 13. If you have any question about the remaining balance due, please contact Christiana or Dylan. 

• Conference Attendance: We have two remaining conferences this year. Please review our conference attendance policy:
• For T&E II (Jan 18-20): Partial attendance is not permitted except in extraordinary circumstances. Regular season sport events, meets, regular season academic club meets, finals, school projects, etc, are not extraordinary circumstances. You are expected to travel to the conference with the delegation, attend the entire conference, and travel home again with the delegation.

• For Sac Conference, (Feb 13-17): Partial attendance is not permitted. Though we happen to be the home team, pretend the conference is located in SoCal, Texas, or the dark side of the moon. No ins-and-outs. Regular season sports, other local extracurriculars, exams, etc, are not valid reasons to miss conference. 

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

Derek Dolfie

Lead Advisor/Delegation Dad

El Dorado Delegation

Helpful Links:
Missed a bulletin?

Need to make a payment?

Question about the Sacramento Central YMCA?

Question about CalYMCA?

Question about our delegation?

Want to know which family you are in?

Mark your calendars for these key events!

Jan 16 - Mandatory Pre-Conference Meeting

Jan 18-20 -Training and Elections 2 Conference (Fresno)
February 6 - Mandatory Sacramento Pre-Conference Meeting

February 13-17 -72nd Model Legislature & Court (Sacramento)

February 23 - Celebration Banquet (Sacramento Central YMCA) 

2018-2019 Registration is Now Open!

Click here to learn more about Y&G

Registration for the new program year is now open! 

Here's what you need to know:

Step 1: Complete our online registration form found here: http://bit.ly/capcoreg2018

Step 2: Pay your initial $100 deposit via this link. NOTE: if the initial deposit presents a financial hardship, please indicate so on your online registration form. Return your completed Y-Assist and Individual Scholarship applications with supporting documents by the deadline indicated.

Step 3: Complete the paperwork packet and bring it with you to your first delegation meeting. 

Delegation enrollment is NOT confirmed until all three steps have been completed. 

Prospective first-year, senior El Dorado delegates: senior enrollment is currently limited to returning delegates. If you are interested in joining, please complete steps 1 and 3 but wait to pay your deposit.  If we determine there is space for first-year seniors, we will let you know and you can complete step 2 then. 

MEETING INFORMATION:

El Dorado Delegation meeting information:

First meeting: Thursday, August 16, 2018, 6:30pm, Oak Ridge High School, Room B3

Meetings: Every Thursday from 6:30-8:00pm

Location: Oak Ridge High School, 1120 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

Lead Advisor: Derek Dolfie, derekdolfie@gmail.com

Gold Country Delegation meeting information:

First meeting: Thursday, August 23, 2018

Meetings: Every Thursday from 6:30-8:00pm

Location: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Back building, 240 Mill Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Lead Advisor: MaryJane Huenergardt, mjdirect@gmail.com

Sacramento Central Delegation  meeting information:

First meeting - Returning Delegates Only: Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 6:30pm

First meeting - New and Returning Delegates: Wednesday September 5, 2018, 6:30pm

Meetings: Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:00pm

Location: Tahoe Park Community Center, 5959 8th Avenue, Sacramento 95820

Lead Advisor: Christiana Dominguez, christiana _dominguez@hotmail.com

YG68 Delegation Bulletin #5: The Really, Really Long One

(Note - see your email inbox for all referenced attachments)
Get comfortable - this is a long one!

{NEW DELEGATES: You'll find the registration process and documents here: http://bit.ly/completereg Please complete and return next week or as soon as you can! Registration must be on file to participate this weekend.}

1.) Teen Leadership Conference (aka Baby Bob, aka overnight retreat) is this Saturday! If you have not submitted your $20 fee for this weekend, then I don't know that you're coming. So reply to this email and let me know you'll be there, $20 in had. Attached is the packing list for this weekend. Of special note: we're sleeping in the gym, so bring a floor pad of some kind if you'll need it! And bring your refillable water bottle, too. Remember, this event is at the YMCA (2021 W Street), not at our Tahoe Park meeting location. We convene at 1:30pm.

2.) Payment Status: At this point, if you have not applied for financial assistance, you should have paid $350 towards your program fees.  Please make sure to bring any late payments to the Y this Saturday or to our next meeting. Your next payment deadline is Oct 7 for another $250.

3.) Y-Assist Determinations: We apologize for the delay in Y-Assist financial aid determination notification. Due to a sizable increase in interest in the coalition, processing is taking longer than normal. But you are NOT forgotten and we'll be getting back to you as soon as we can.

4.) Mixed Bags Sales: Hopefully you are selling some Mixed Bags products! If you don't know what I'm talking about, let me know and I'll bring you a sales catalog. This is our first fundraiser of the year! Remember to collect 8.5% sales tax on all sales and checks are payable to "Sacramento YMCA"
5.) Camp Capital City: Parents should've received an email with information about our annual YMCA fundraising event, Camp Capital City, on Saturday, October 3. This fun, casual, camp-themed night features all you can eat BBQ, a gourmet s'mores bar, beverages, camp games, live music and more. More information, tickets, and sponsorships available here: http://ymcasuperiorcal.org/main/camp-capital-city/ For a limited time, $25 off each ticket while supplies last!
 6.) October 3 Volunteer Opportunity: And for our delegates: we need your volunteer help at Camp Capital City on Saturday, October 3. I need at least 10 delegates from 5pm - 10:30pm to help with set-up, camp games, food service, and clean up. Attire is jeans and a polo. Please indicate your availability here: http://bit.ly/CampCapCityVols

NOTE: ALL DELEGATES SHOULD COMPLETE THIS FORM! This is your reading test this week  ;)

7. ) November 2 meeting added: Please make a note in your calendar that we are adding a special Monday meeting on November 2 to prepare for our Bill Hearing Night on November 4th! Mark it down!
8.) Bring your calendar or planner each week: we have important dates for you to take note of nearly every week.

9.) Bill group work begins next week: Attached are the bill worksheet and bill research guide for our new delegates. Next week, we'll divide into bill groups and really dive in. Make sure you give your idea the best shot at life by spending a bit of time researching your topic. Questions on research avenues or where it would live in code? Email your advisors!

10.) GroupMe: Your delegation leadership uses the GroupMe app to communicate important reminders and updates, especially during conferences. We'll be adding you to this app. Look for a text message from us, soon. You can download the free GroupMe app for Apple or Android or you can use it through your text messaging system. For more info, visit: https://groupme.com/

11.) Checking your email: It's really important that you check your email at least once per week (by Monday each week) and read delegation-related communication. We know there's a lot of information right now, but that's the nature of the new year! Attached is our delegation communication policy - please review it. You'll find frequent "reading tests" in bulletins. Sometimes, there are prizes to be won for individuals or the group! Delegates are not required to join social media, but if they are already on Facebook, they are encouraged to like our page and join our closed group.

12.) Register for the first conference! What, another registration form? You betcha!!!! This gets you officially signed up for the first conference in Fresno, November 13-15. The deadline is approaching, so don't miss out.
- Head to: https://app.reggo.org/calymca
- You'll select the first option for "68th ML/C Training & Elections Conference I"
- Then you'll select "Delegate registration" and put "1" in the number box.
- Create your Reggo profile.
- From the drop-down Delegation menu, select "Sacramento Central"
- Your role is "delegate"
And follow the prompts from there. That's it!

Next meeting is Wednesday, Sept 30. Officers: 6pm, Delegates: 6:30pm. Please arrive on time! (What's that saying? Early is on-time, on-time is late, late is not an option!)

Like our page!

Join our group!

Missed a bulletin?

Get Your Bob II Information Here!

Here's the usual rundown of important conference information!

Of particular note:

 

1.) Though the last conference ran Friday through Sunday, this conference runs from SATURDAY to MONDAY to take advantage of the Monday, January 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.

 

2.) Parents please discuss with delegates/delegate please remember: also politely and quickly follow the instructions given to you by ANY advisor, not just your own delegation advisors, unless doing so will place you in immediate, physical harm.  If you feel an instruction was wrongly given or that you were being blamed for something not your doing, follow the instruction and then discuss the matter with your delegation advisors when possible.  Do not argue with any advisor giving you instructions. That is an inappropriate response.   It is usually ineffective as well.

 

3.) As mentioned in previous emails, we have charter buses for this conference for the first time in the history of our program at the Sacramento YMCA.  Please appreciate this and maintain your usual level of courteous behavior and be very nice to the bus drivers.  This bus things is kind of a big deal.

 

4.) Bring clothing appropriate for the weather which will likely be very cold and potentially also rainy.  A parka or ski jacket wouldn't be out of place at night.  You'll need more than your sweatshirt.

 

5.) As ever, nothing that plugs in. You know the rules on that.

 

We're looking forward to a wonderful Bob II and then it's on to Sacramento which, trust us, will be just about the best thing ever. Seriously, it's that good.

Distribution Formula - Who Gets What Program Area?

Here are the program area slots we have this year, based on delegation size.

This assumes that everyone in the delegation currently continues in the program through Bob II.

Total delegates: 15 (delegates - forum members)

Senate - 2

Assembly - 3

Print Media - 1

NIC - 3

Lobbyist - 1

Appellate Court - 1

Trial Court - 1

Assistant Leg. Analyst - 1

Board of Education - 1

Constitutional Convention - 0

Page - 1

No one listed Constitutional Convention as a first choice, so I will not attempt to get a slot for our delegation in that program.

Also, these formulas DO NOT apply to leadership positions. This means if you apply to be a print media editor, we still have another print media slot, so we could end with two Sac delegates in print media instead of 1. Does that make sense? (Note: broadcast media is solely by application, the media slot does not apply to broadcast media)

Remember, you have until next Monday to change your preferences if you've changed your mind since the last meeting.

Scholarship Application Available

Click here to download the Y's Scholarship Application.

Read and follow the directions on the first page. The second page is blank and the application begins on page 3.

Things to remember:

• All delegates may apply for scholarship money.
• No delegate will be considered for scholarship money without a completed application on file.
• Scholarship applications should be returned to Christiana or Morgan at a weekly meeting.
• There's no box on the form for Youth & Government - we know - that's okay, we know for which program your applying.
• Scholarships will be awarded based on several criteria including, but not limited to:
• Demonstrated financial need
• Demonstrated dedication to the delegation
• Weekly meeting attendance (including timely arrival and departure or notifying delegation president in cases of late arrivals or absences)
• Meeting participation (positive contributions to discourse, bill or proposal ideas, respect for fellow delegates, etc)
• Demonstrated fundraising efforts
• Attending fundraisers, selling tickets, selling coupon books, etc
• Effort will be every bit as important as results
• Participation in scholarship opportunities
• Timely return of required forms (medical release, delegation contract, etc), completion of requested actions (online registration), requested replies to emails, etc.
• Effort at making incremental payments when possible (i.e.: if you/your family can afford $10/week toward program costs, bring us $10/week; bring whatever portion of a payment you can on a payment due day, etc)

The bottom line: need isn't the only or most important factor, participation isn't the only or most important factor - we'll take a holistic view of  your participation in the program and your need for aid and do our best to equitably distribute available funds.  Please provide us with as much context as possible about your family's situation - especially if you feel the numbers don't tell us the whole story about your level of need.  We can do a lot to help, but only if we have all the information necessary.

If something comes up that changes your family's situation, come talk to us about it before you quit the program or anything crazy like that.