Bill Writing 101

Do you have a bill idea you'd like to discuss and pursue this year? If so, here's a guide for your research.

If you've already brought up an idea at a past meeting, you should be able to answer these questions this week. If you have a new idea to bring to the table, you should also be prepared to answer these questions.

Bill Writing Questions:

1. What is the topic of your bill?

2. How did you think of this bill?

3. Have you looked up legislation already written on this topic?

- www.leginfo.ca.gov

4. Is there legislation already in place on your topic?

- If so, does your legislation ADD to what exists? Does it REPEAL what exists? Does it AMEND what exists?

5. In what section of the California Code would your bill live?

- Check www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw for a list of codes

5. Who might support your bill?

6. Who might oppose your bill? Why?

7. List the websites and other sources you used in your research.
Have questions? Leave a comment below or email your delegation leadership/advisors.

And the winner is!

Meet your new sweatshirt!

Sweatshirt Design Ideas!

Our delegation sweatshirt design must be to the printers by Friday at 8:00am! Time to come up with some good ideas. Here's an initial idea with two variations. Note that we're limited to two colors printed on a burgandy background, the shirt must include the Y&G and Capital Coalition logos, and must comply with the printer's technical specifications. Bring your ideas to the meeting Thursay - Last Chance!!!

School House Rock/I'm Just A Bill 1

School House Rock/I'm Just A Bill 2

License Plate - Note: Not up to full technical specification, may not be possible; would be limited to 2 colors.

Freeway Sign - Note: Not up to full technical specification, may not be possible; would be limited to 2 colors.

A Bug's Life font; Xanadu font; Collegiate font; License Plate font (click to enlarge) - Note: believed to meet technical specifications, but not confirmed.

More fun fonts (click to enlarge) - Note: believed to meet technical specifications, but not confirmed.

Be prepared to rank your choices and remain flexible due to technical requirements imposed by printer and technical limitations of your advisors.

Delegation Bulletin #2

Upcoming Deadlines

Oct 15 Paperwork! (see item 4 below)

Oct 15 Sweatshirt Design due to printers (SUBMIT IDEAS NOW!)

Oct 16 Individual Scholarship Deadline (REQUIRES ADVISOR SIGNATURE)

Nov 12 $250 payment deadline (mandatory for conference attendance without prior Y approval for alternate plans. No Exceptions)

Upcoming Events

Oct 24 Halloween Volunteer event at the Y

Nov 6 Sold On Youth Auction (BIG MONEY FUNDRAISER)

Nov 8 Antique Fair Parking Lot Fundraiser

Ongoing Events

Raffle ticket sales

Coupon book sales

Announcements

Keep the bill ideas coming. Now is the time to start your preliminary research as well. Next week we will divide into bill groups.

Reminders

1.) Two payment deadlines have now passed and each delegate is responsible for having paid $300 for the program so far. Remember, you can meet that requirement in two ways: first, with a check; second, through your fundraising activities. If you have spoken to me regarding payment concerns, please remember: it is better to make ANY payment ($50?) than to make no payment at all. Making some level of payment will demonstrate to the YMCA that you are dedicated to the program. It's a "putting your money where your mouth is" showing of good faith. Again, we understand that in some cases, even $20 is impossible for some families. If this is you and your family, you MUST have a parent contact Sam Doffo at the YMCA to discuss the situation. 916-452-9622 ext 132. Don't delay!

2.) Bring your calendar or planner to meetings to record events and deadlines.

3.) If you sign up for an event but are unable to attend at the time you said you would or at all, you MUST contact Patrick, Chelsea, or Christiana at least 24 hours in advance. Unexcused absences may count against you when it comes to dividing fundraising proceeds and selecting program roles.

4.) ALL PAPERWORK is due at the next meeting. Did you lose yours? Download here. NOTE: do not return the entire parent packet. There is information there designed for your reference throughout the program. Return only forms requiring a signature. Delegates must submit the Delegation Contract, Medical Release Form, Code of Conduct, and Payment policy by Oct 15 or jeopardize their place in the program.

5.) Meeting Check-in Process: Upon arriving at meetings, delegates should first check the side table for any sign-up forms, handouts, or other information. CELL PHONE POLICY: Beginning Oct 15, delegates must turn off their phones (vibrate-mode is not the same as turned-off!) and leave them on the side table for the duration of the meeting. Delegates are not permitted to make or answer calls or texts during the meeting. This policy ensures an efficient, respectful meeting and allows us to continue with an hour-format for our meetings. Exceptions to this policy are granted only in legitimate, medical emergencies. Otherwise, everyone can survive for an hour. (This policy extends to the wearing of headphones/ear pieces/or blue tooth equipment. All are prohibited during the meeting.)

Need Forms? Click the link below!

Click here for a list of forms and information to download, including the Individual Scholarship Application that is due OCTOBER 16 and that MUST BE SIGNED BY AN ADVISOR.

IMPORTANT: All forms requiring a parent signature MUST be turned in at the next meeting on October 15. Also, payments were due Sept. 25 ($100) and Oct. 9 ($200). If you have not made one or both payments, you need to contact Samantha Doffo at the YMCA (916-452-9622 ext 132) ASAP to discuss your payment situation or risk jeopardizing your place in the program.

We understand it is a difficult time for most families. You can help the Y help you by making whatever payment you can afford as soon as possible, even if it is $20. Also, coupon books and raffle tickets are available for you to sell to raise money. This will not only help you with funds but also demonstrate to the YMCA that you are dedicated to the program and fundraising efforts.

Delegation Bulletin #1

Greetings, Sac Central Delegation! Here are some notes and reminders for the coming week:

Upcoming Deadlines

Oct 9 - Payment #2 ($200)

Oct 9 - Registration for the first conference due - we can't register you without your paperwork!

Oct 9 - Elected and Appointed official applications due

Oct 15 - Sweatshirt design deadline

Oct 16 - Individual Scholarship Applications due

Upcoming Events

Oct 11 - Parking lot fundraiser

Oct 24 - Halloween Volunteer event at the Y

Nov 6 - Sold on Youth Auction at Sac State (HUGE fundraising opportunity!)

Ongoing Events

Raffle ticket sales

Coupon book sales

Announcements

Bring more bill ideas to the meeting this week. In the next few weeks, we'll move from general discussions to researching bill ideas. It's never too soon to start using the internet to guide your research.

Reminders

1.) IMPORTANT: If you sign up for an event, such as the College Application Workshop, but can't make it, it's very important that you let Christiana know. On Saturday, two delegates enjoyed a nearly-private tutoring session on how to get into college, but the other 4 delegates who signed up neither showed up nor let anyone know. This is disrespectful to the volunteers who give their time to enrich your Y&G experience. Attendance at events aside from meetings and conferences is never mandatory, but if you sign up, you show up. In the future, unexcused absences will be considered when it comes time to award group scholarship money and select program areas. The 4 absentees this week get one-time-only pass because we'll use this email and the next meeting to make sure you know how to get a hold of someone in case of an absence.

Contact information (translate email addresses which are spelled out to avoid spam coming to us):

Lead Advisor Christiana Dominguez - cell 916-508-3299, email cdominguez at cslea dot com (email notice only valid if received at least 24 hours in advance of event)

Delegation President Patrick Smith - cell 916-595-4191, email smithpat1992 at yahoo dot com (same policy)

Delegation Vice President Chelsea Dascher - cell 916-203-9855, email ccdascher at yahoo dot com (same policy)

Samantha Doffo (Y Liaison) - 916-452-9622 ext 132

2.) Bring your sweatshirt designs to the next meeting! We need to choose one and have time to work with the printers!

3.) Bring your calendar or planner to meetings so you can be aware of potential conflicts when we schedule additional fundraisers and events.

4.) Remember to check the delegation website after and between meetings for updates and announcements. We'll also post downloadable versions of forms in case you lose any after a meeting. http://SacCentralDelegation.blogspot.com

5.) BRING BACK YOUR SIGNED PAPERWORK. Registration for the first conference is due next week. We cannot register delegates who have not turned in their signed: Delegation Contract; Medical Release Form; Code of Conduct; Payment Policy. Don't get left behind!

College Application Workshop: Free and Open for Delegates, Friends

On Saturday, October 3, Sac Central Delegation will host a FREE college application workshop for delegates, friends, and any interested students in the area. Learn more about the UC application process, get advice on those tricky personal essays, and get your burning application process questions answered. The event is tentatively scheduled to being at 1pm and will last approximately 2 hours. Check back for updates. Want to attend? Leave us your name and email address in the comments section so we'll have enough materials. More questions? Leave those in the comment section too!

Check out our Facebook invite too and join our FB Group today!

Sac Central Parents' Night A Success!

Dozens of parents and delegates convened at the Sacramento YMCA last Thursday for delegation's Parents' Night. Thanks to the outreach efforts of delegates, advisors, and the Y, we welcomed several new families into the exciting world of Y&G. A lot of information was dispensed in a short amount of time, but the meeting ended with several new delegates officially taking the plunge into the program and enthusiastic parents offering more help with recruiting.

If you missed Parents' Night, you can download this year's Parent Packet here in pdf format.

Missing a specific form?
Click on the following forms to download:
Code of Conduct
Emergency Release and Medical Information
Individual Scholarship Application
(due October 16; needs Advisor signature!)
Sac Central Delegate Contract

See you at our next meeting, this Thursday, October 1 in the Board Room at the Y! Bring your forms and, if you haven't turned it in yet, your first, $100 payment.

New(er) Brochure available for download!

Click here for the latest version of the Sac Central brochure. Share it with your friends!

Meeting Tonight! Sept 17 at 7pm - YMCA Board Room

It's our second meeting and the last before next week's big Parents' Night meeting! If you've been thinking "hey, I feel like I need some handouts and paperwork to fill out," well, your time is coming.

We'll be meeting in the Board Room this evening. You can access it via the lower parking lot (right before the train tracks). Ask the front desk if you need further directions!

See you tonight!