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YMCA YOUTH AND
GOVERNMENT
In the Pennsylvania YMCA Youth and Government
Program, Clubs are organized in local YMCAs or
high schools, each with a caring adult role model
for an advisor. Clubs meet from September thru
May as students identify social issues and
problems and select those they wish to resolve by
writing legislative bills. Bill Writing is the central
focus of the club program framed by a process of
research and debate. It also makes it necessary
for students to examine many of their values,
beliefs and attitudes while confronting the
practical demands of freedom.
A STUDENT LED CLUB
Officers and Administration have responsibility for
planning, implementation, & leadership of their
clubs and the conferences...
Student Legislators author bills, debate and vote
on bills, speak their minds on current events, run
for office, and vote for officers.
Supreme Court Justices hear oral arguments from
teams of Attorneys
Lobbyists are trained in the process of influencing
legislation
Press Corps keep a careful eye the proceedings by
publishing web logs and daily newspapers.
YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT CLUBS
Small Groups of about 25 students in grades 9
through 12 (an online Youth e-Government
program is available for middle schools)
Teens assume responsibility for planning their
own activities under the supervision of caring
adult role models
Ongoing regular meetings from Sept to May
The club activities are to prepare the students
to for the Model Government Convention
All activities address at least one of the four
goals of YMCA teen leadership programs:
leadership training, personal growth, service
to others, and social development
ELECTION CONVENTIONS
Election Conventions are conducted annually in
Western and Eastern Pennsylvania. Held on a
Saturday in November, it is here that club
members elect the statewide officers to serve in
leadership roles during the Model Government
Convention at the State Capitol.
The Youth Governor is elected by popular vote at
the Model Government Convention to serve the
following year. While serving as the Governor-
elect, this student is at work appointing the
members of the Governor’s administration.
The election conventions are infused with the
excitement and intense political negotiations
characteristic of the election process. Candidates
are highly motivated to seek office, fully
recognizing the leadership experience available
and the responsibilities of their offices.
MOCK SESSIONS
Mock Sessions are also conducted annually in
Eastern and Western Pennsylvania, usually on a
Saturday in late January or early February. All
club members who plan to participate in the
Model Government Convention attend one of
these sessions.
Mock Sessions are training sessions where
officers and committee chairpersons practice
parliamentary skills and learn various procedures.
Clubs submit drafts of their bills for limited
committee action and general debate, and
through the sessions they learn where
refinements are needed. The newspaper staff is
organized, lobbyists are coached and the cabinet
begins organizational plans while reviewing the
governor's platform. Speakers address the
groups, and information about the Model
Legislature and Administration Convention and
the National Affairs Conference is shared.
MODEL GOVERNMENT CONVENTION
The annual Model Government Convention held
for three days in April is the climax of the YMCA
Youth and Government Program. The State
Capitol in Harrisburg is the setting for this
exciting program that mirrors the function of
state government. Student delegates use the
Senate, House, and Supreme Court chambers,
committee, caucus and hearing rooms. This is a
great privilege that creates an aura of realism in
the program.
(over)
By its nature, the convention is a significant
learning and growth experience, but it may also
be viewed as the test of all that has gone before.
The study of the function of state government, the
identification and selection of social problems to
be resolved through legislation, the research into
these problems, the debates about their
resolution, the leadership skills learned and
finally, the bills written within each club all
converge here.
INTERACTIVE WEB SITE
Register to Vote
Write your Legislators
Research Your Bill Topic
Write & Submit your Bill Online
Read Proposed Model Legislation
Club Registration, Roster Management
Links to Government Web Sites
Civics Education Links
Visit us:
Write to us:
YMCA Youth & Government
103 Sunset Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Call Us:
717.652.9585
717.652.0209 (fax)