First Meeting September 8!

2010-2011 Kick-off Meeting
and Parents' Night

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

at 6:30pm

Sacramento YMCA Board Room

(accessible via the lower parking lot at the Y)

All are invited and encouraged to attend. Meet former delegates and learn about the program. Get your questions answered and sign up for the program. Learn about scholarship and fundraising opportunities. Don't miss out! Join us for our first meetnig of the year!

New Year, New Information! Get your parent packet here!

Our first meeting is coming up quickly. Here are some forms and info we'll be discussing there - in case you want to get a jump on filling things out or your parent can't make it.

• Agenda
• Program Calendar
• Delegation Calendar
• Code of Conduct
• Payment and Refund Policy
• Emergency Release and Contact Information
• Delegate Participation Contract
• Sample excused absence letter and background
• Dress Code preview

Questions about the forms? Problems downloading? Let us know! We'll discuss everything at our first meeting: Wednesday, September 8 at 6:30pm in the Board Room at the YMCA!

Summer Mixer - Date Change and . . . Now Free!

(click to enlarge!)

Join us on Wednesday, August 18th for a River Cats game. We'll enjoy some summer weather, and answer questions about the Youth & Government program. But mostly, it'll just be about the game. And maybe Merlino's? Or Big Spoon! Let us know if you'll be joining us. Tickets are now free! Regularly $13 tickets!

Delegation Bulletin 16

NOTE: If your name does NOT appear in the following list, you owe me the signed parent slip from the info packet handed out two weeks ago. Please bring it when you check-in with me on Thursday: Michael, Paige, Colin, Rohith, Maribel, Ashley. Everyone else owes me that form!

***Also - Please check your email every day this week in case there is more information I need to get to you before Thursday***

DEADLINES:

February 11 - CONA application due
February 13 - Premier Delegation Application Due (Talk to Patrick to help with this project) (5pm)
- Awards and Recognition Nominations due (5pm)

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 11-15: 62nd Model Legislature & Court - the big conference, the one you've been waiting for!

REMINDERS/NEWS FOR THE WEEK:

1.) BILL SPONSORS and NIC COMMISSIONERS: Spend a few minutes practicing before Thursday! Know your stuff and - more importantly - know the procedure for bill/proposal presentations and debates. Speak with confidence! Convince others they have no need to question you :)

2.) Arrive at the Hyatt at 11:00am on Thursday. Find me. I'll check you in and give you your materials. Arrive in dress code! Label you luggage - ALL OF IT! Don't forget sleeping bags. If you have not decided with your roommates who needs to bring one, then EVERYONE brings one.

3.) I've attached to this email a copy of the schedule for the conference. (see email) You do NOT need to print it out, you will be given a copy when you check-in. There may be changes in times or room assignments after we get there, as well, so be prepared to be flexible.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

We still have several events in the works:

- YMCA Community Support Campaign 2010 - kicks off Thursday, February 18 with a dinner at the Y at 6:30pm. The first Y&G Call Night will be Thursday, February 25. To sign up for a team, contact Patrick.
- End-of-the-year party! We'll have a get together sometime shortly after Sac Conference to celebrate our accomplishments!
- Summer event planning and recruiting - we'll plan some fun events for the end of the school year and through the summer so we can keep in touch and - importantly - so we can introduce new people to the program! You'll be full of stories and enthusiasm after Sacramento conference - don't forget to tell your friends so they can join next year!
- Summer fireworks booth fundraiser - we'll need volunteers to help out at the first-ever Sac YMCA fireworks booth. Help tie up lose ends from this year and - for seniors - help leave the delegation in good shape for next year.

Delegation Bulletin 15 - Endings and Beginnings

DEADLINES:

February 4 - Signed parents' letter slip is due at the meeting.
February 11 - CONA application due
February 13 - Premier Delegation Application Due (Talk to Patrick to help with this project) (5pm)
- Awards and Recognition Nominations due (5pm)

UPCOMING EVENTS:
February 4 - MANDATORY Last regular meeting of the year, 7pm in the Board Room, please be on time.
- Bill Sponsors/Authors be prepared to present bills and run them through a mock-hearing.
- Last Sac Conference details and preparation - bring questions if you have any.
February 11-15: 62nd Model Legislature & Court - the big conference, the one you've been waiting for.

REMINDERS/NEWS FOR THE WEEK:

1.) Bring the signed parent slip to the meeting.

2.) BILL SPONSORS: Be prepared to present and debate your bills. This is your last chance to practice.

3.) There are several deadlines occurring during Sac Conference including Premier Delegation applications; various award nominations; and the CONA application. Don't let these go until you get to the conference if you want to complete them.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

The 62nd Model Legislature and Court may end in just a little over a week, but our time as a delegation doesn't!

We still have several events in the works:

- YMCA Community Support Campaign 2010 - kicks off Thursday, February 18 with a dinner at the Y at 6:30pm. The first Y&G Call Night will be Thursday, February 25. To sign up for a team, contact Patrick.

- End-of-the-year party! We'll have a get together sometime shortly after Sac Conference to celebrate our accomplishments!

- Summer event planning and recruiting - we'll plan some fun events for the end of the school year and through the summer so we can keep in touch and - importantly - so we can introduce new people to the program! You'll be full of stories and enthusiasm after Sacramento conference - don't forget to tell your friends so they can join next year!

- Summer fireworks booth fundraiser - we'll need volunteers to help out at the first-ever Sac YMCA fireworks booth. Help tie up lose ends from this year and - for seniors - help leave the delegation in good shape for next year.

Delegation Bulletin 14 - A review of Bulletin 13

(Note: You received a Bob II evaluation form and a preview of Sac Conference preparation materials. If you haven't responded to the evaluation yet, please do so.)

DEADLINES:

January 29 - Final NIC proposals due for NIC participants.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 28 - MANDATORY Meeting at 7pm in the Board room - please be on time.
- NIC Delegates be prepared to present your (nearly) final proposals.
- Sac Conference preparation. Parents welcomed (but not required) to attend)
February 4 - MANDATORY Last regular meeting of the year, 7pm in the Board Room, please be on time.
- Bill Sponsors/Authors be prepared to present bills and run them through a mock-hearing.
- Last Sac Conference details and preparation.
February 11-15: 62nd Model Legislature & Court - the big conference, the one you've been waiting for.

ONGOING EVENTS:

If you have "homework" for your program area - don't forget to devote some time to it between now and Sac conference!

If there are still coupon books out there, get them back to the Y.

REMINDERS/NEWS FOR THE WEEK:

1.) Meeting this week!

2.) If you owe any payments or parts of payments, please get them in to the Y as soon as possible.

3.) Thank you for a successful Bob II. I hope everyone had a great weekend! How 'bout that weather?!

4.) Conference on National Affairs (CONA) applications are due at Sac Conference. If you have questions about the conference or are interested in applying, check out the website: http://saccentraldelegation.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-conference-on-national-affairs.html If you still want some more information, let me know, and I'll put you in touch with someone who has attended CONA before to answer your questions.

5.) A note about conference attendance: Though the final conference is held here in Sacramento and it's tempting to try to schedule other events around town between February 11-15, you are NOT PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE CONFERENCE for any reason. This includes sporting events, family events, Valentine's Day dates, or because you forgot something at home. For our purposes, you may as well pretend we're in Los Angeles, Texas, or on Mars for the duration of the conference. It might seem weird to you since it's your hometown - but that's the way it works. Period.

Delegation Bulletin 13 - No meeting this week!

DEADLINES:

January 29 - Final NIC proposals due for NIC participants.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 21 - NO MEETING
January 28 - MANDATORY Meeting at 7pm in the Board room - please be on time.
- NIC Delegates be prepared to present your (nearly) final proposals.
- Sac Conference preparation. Parents welcomed (but not required) to attend)
February 4 - MANDATORY Last regular meeting of the year, 7pm in the Board Room, please be on time.
- Bill Sponsors/Authors be prepared to present bills and run them through a mock-hearing.
- Last Sac Conference details and preparation.
February 11-15: 62nd Model Legislature & Court - the big conference, the one you've been waiting for.

ONGOING EVENTS:

If you have "homework" for your program area - don't forget to devote some time to it between now and Sac conference!

If there are still coupon books out there, get them back to the Y.

REMINDERS/NEWS FOR THE WEEK:

1.) No meeting this week.

2.) If you owe any payments or parts of payments, please get them in to the Y as soon as possible.

3.) Thank you for a successful Bob II. I hope everyone had a great weekend! How 'bout that weather?!

4.) Conference on National Affairs (CONA) applications are due at Sac Conference. If you have questions about the conference or are interested in applying, check out the website: http://saccentraldelegation.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-conference-on-national-affairs.html If you still want some more information, let me know, and I'll put you in touch with someone who has attended CONA before to answer your questions.

5.) A note about conference attendance: Though the final conference is held here in Sacramento and it's tempting to try to schedule other events around town between February 11-15, you are NOT PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE CONFERENCE for any reason. This includes sporting events, family events, Valentine's Day dates, or because you forgot something at home. For our purposes, you may as well pretend we're in Los Angeles, Texas, or on Mars for the duration of the conference. It might seem weird to you since it's your hometown - but that's the way it works. Period.

Mini Bulletin

1.) We leave TOMORROW MORNING! Be at the Y at 3:30am.

2.) Pack for RAIN and COLD.

3.) Don't forget your delegation sweatshirt.

4.) Bring your ID (school, drivers license, etc, something with a photo)

5.) Bring some pocket money or snacks for breakfast and the ride tomorrow. And some pocket money for lunch on the way home. Food items and things will be for sale at Camp Roberts - totally optional - but bring money if you want any of that, too. All meals will be provided at the conference, so won't need too much cash, regardless.

Reminders for the coming week(s):

There are only a few weeks between Bob II and our final conference!

We will NOT meet on Thursday, January 21 (next week).

However, skipping next week means that attendance is required for the two remaining meetings: January 28 and February 4.

On January 28, NIC program members will present their proposals and we'll have a mock debate. Their final proposals are due (through an online submission process) on January 29 (the day after the meeting.)

We will also spend part of the meeting discussing the final conference, dress code, etc.

On February 4, we'll answer any last minute conference questions and have a mock hearing for our legislative bills (sponsors need to be ready to present).

On February 11 - we'll meet at the hotel for the final conference!

2010 Conference on National Affairs (CONA) Application Available!

No, it's not in Hawaii . . .

The Conference on National Affairs was started in 1968 to provide a follow up to the statewide Model Legislature and Court programs. The Conference is an assembly of more than 500 Youth and Government and Model United Nations participants from around the country. All delegates are selected by their home states to write and debate proposed solutions to problems which are national and international in their scope.

Here are the application materials. Applications are due upon arrival to Sac Conference on February 11. You'll need an advisor signature and recommendation - so if you're interested, don't delay in getting started and letting your advisor know!

CONA General Info flyer
Packet Contents
Calendar
Application Instructions
Application
Reference Form
Scholarship form

Note: all documents open in Microsoft Word. If you cannot open the application or would like a printed copy, please let your advisors know and one will be provided to you at the next meeting.

Delegation Bulletin 12

The super condensed bulletin for the week:

Upcoming Events: Bob II is THIS SATURDAY, January 16 through Monday, January 18. You will need to be at the Y at 3:30am. Please get some sleep on Friday night.

REMINDERS/NEWS FOR THE WEEK:

1.) This week's meeting is MANDATORY. If you don't show up, on-time, and don't contact Christiana or Patrick or Chelsea with a verified, legitimate excuse (and there won't be many for this week's meeting), then don't bother coming on Saturday morning because you won't be permitted to board the Bob II Express.

2.) Bob II is a MANDATORY conference. You cannot continue the program if you do not attend the conference.

3.) The conference runs from SATURDAY to MONDAY (for the last conference, we left on a Friday. We don't do that this time.)

4.) You should be fully paid up at this point unless you are on a pre-approved alternative payment schedule. Please make sure you bring your final payment to the meeting this week (it was due last week) or you will not be permitted to board the bus on Saturday.

4a.) For those on alternative payment schedules, I will do my best to have an updated account statement to you by this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

5.) This is the last week of coupon book sales. All money collected and all coupon books themselves MUST BE RETURNED TO THE MEETING THIS THURSDAY. If you don't return the books you took to sell, we will charge you for them.

6.) NIC delegates must bring a draft proposal to Bob II, plus 10 copies. We are happy to make the copies for you, but you must bring a hard copy of your draft to the meeting or email me no later than noon on Friday, January 15 with your draft. Otherwise, you're responsible for your own copies.

7.) Don't forget to work on your applications if applying for a position at Bob II. Also - let me know if you applied for the Broadcast Media program and have an interview scheduled at Bob II so we can make sure you are where you need to be on-time.

See you on Thursday at 7pm. PLEASE BE ON TIME. Too many people are late too often. You know when meetings start. Plan accordingly.