Parent Handbook:

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WHY YOUTH & GOVERNMENT?

In California, an informed and participating electorate, which shares a common value system, is crucial for building strong communities. Young people need to understand that they can have an effect on their communities, their state, and their country, through their actions. Youth and Government strives to give youth both the tools and the character values, which will empower them to solve problems within the established system of government. Participants in the Model Legislature & Court are provided an arena to test their beliefs, to share their frustrations, to examine their ethics, and broaden their knowledge. Emphasizing the four core values of the YMCA – Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, the Youth and Government Program works to produce young adults that will accept the challenge of leading their generation into the new millennium.

WHAT IS YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT?

The California YMCA Model Legislature & Court is a statewide youth educational program involving nearly 2,400 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, in a nine-month "hands on" experience. Since its inception 58 years ago, the program has used a variety of activities to build, encourage, and strengthen those life assets and character traits that will help high school youth become involved, responsible adults who are decent and respected citizens. The tool used is a high quality experiential and educational simulation based upon California's State government. The program is very comprehensive, and its impact on the youth participants is dramatic.

The Model Legislature & Court teaches the values of democracy by creating citizen leaders from a cross section of the State's high school population, providing them with the opportunity to experience government first hand and to learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process. The program also helps develop within these youth an attitude of self help and self confidence for their personal futures.

HOW THE MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT PROGRAM WORKS

The program begins in September when nearly 2,400 young people and 300 volunteers at approximately 80 locations throughout the State, meet as individual delegations to discuss issues facing California, as well as ways to implement their solutions through the legislative and judicial processes. During a nine-month period, the teen delegates write bills, prepare briefs, select governmental positions to role play, attend statewide training conferences, and run for various elected offices. The program reaches its peak in Sacramento at the State Capitol with the convening of the five day Model Legislature & Court each February. There, "real" government moves over and the teen delegates "take over", using the historic halls, chambers, and offices of our State Capitol, Supreme Court, and Governor's Office.

California YMCA Youth & Government operates as an independently chartered YMCA. A Board of Directors is responsible for determining policy and directional emphasis of the program.

THE CONFERENCES

ADVISOR DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE:

This conference is held at the beginning of the school year and is designed to inform and instruct adult advisors who will lead delegations to the YMCA Model Legislature & Court. Workshops include Bill Development, Risk Management, Values and Ethics, Code of Conduct, Working with Teens, and Program Administration.

TRAINING & ELECTIONS I CONFERENCE:

This conference provides an overview of the YMCA Model Legislature & Court for new delegates, with specific training in debate and parliamentary procedure. Returning delegates brush up on their debate skills and attend sessions on value, ethics, and peer pressure. All delegates participate in elections for officers for the program. Attendance is not required in order to attend the Model Legislature & Court. This conference is held over the Veterans Day Holiday Weekend in November.

TRAINING & ELECTIONS II CONFERENCE:

All youth and adults who plan to attend the YMCA Model Legislature & Court in Sacramento must attend this conference. Everyone is trained in his or her roles and the remainder of the officers are elected. This conference is held during the Martin Luther King weekend in January.

YMCA MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT:

Nearly 2400 delegates, advisors, and staff travel to Sacramento to participate in
a five-day program that encompasses most aspects of state government. Delegates are privileged to use the actual state legislative and judicial chambers. Youth & Government is the only youth program allowed to use the actual capitol chambers. This conference is held over the Presidents’ Day weekend.

SPRING MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT CONFERENCE:

This less formal conference is held in Corcoran in the middle of the state. Designed as a recruitment tool for new delegates, including freshmen, the program features both parliamentary procedure and debate. It also includes swimming and other recreational activities. This conference is held at the end of April each year.

YMCA YOUTH CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL AFFAIRS:

Sponsored by the Southeast Field of the National YMCA, this conference is held at the picturesque Blue Ridge Assembly, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. California selects twenty-five delegates and five adults to join with 350 other youth from more than twenty states for this intense debate competition centered around proposals written by the delegates on issues of national or international importance.

HOW ADULTS ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM

YMCA MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT GOVERNING BOARD:

The Governing Board is affiliated with the National Council of YMCAs. It is commissioned to conduct the Model Legislature & Court and the other programs in California mentioned above. Board Members are appointed each year and represent State Government, the Judiciary, businesses, YMCAs, former youth officers, and current participants of the Model Legislature & Court.

DIRECTOR / STAFF:

John Ciambrone, the Director/CEO of California YMCA Youth and Government is employed by the Board of Directors to administer the policies and practices of the program and act as liaison between local YMCAs and the Board. The Director, in turn, employs a small core staff to conduct the Model Legislature & Court and other conference programs. Currently there are four full-time employees and two part time staff members.

VOLUNTEER STAFF:

Each year the Director of the ML/C program recruits volunteers to serve as “staff” to particular parts of the program. Over 150 volunteers from throughout the state plan and conduct activities, advise youth delegates on their roles, and in general assist the Director in the operation of the different program areas (i.e. Court, Legislature, Media, and Lobbyists, etc.) Our volunteer staff include teachers, college students, attorneys, business executives, YMCA professionals, media experts, and law enforcement personnel.

DELEGATION ADVISORS:

Delegation Advisors provide leadership to their own local youth delegations in preparing them for their participation in the program. They also accompanying their delegation to the various conferences, providing direct supervision to their delegation. Delegation Advisors also assist the Director in conducting the Elections/Training and Model Legislature & Court Conferences, serving as parliamentarians to Legislative Committees, assisting Deans with supervision, taking elevator duty, manning information desks, and working in the Conference Office during the Model Legislature & Court. Each local YMCA must meet the Governing Board’s requirement that each delegation have at least one adult advisor, and maintain adult to youth ratio of 1-11 or 1-9 for certified advisors, and 1-7 for non-certified advisors. This year, over 275 adult advisors will be involved statewide. All delegations with more than 25 delegates are required to have a professional YMCA staff member as part of their delegation.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The purpose of the California YMCA Model Legislature/Court is to develop within our youth a dedication to the values of democracy and an awareness of the need for their participation and leadership in the democratic process. Participants in this program are especially privileged because they are allowed to use the historic legislative chambers and offices in the State Capitol Building, the Supreme Court Chambers, the facilities of the Hyatt Regency and the Sheraton Hotel at Sacramento, California National Guard facilities, as well as other facilities.

A high level of positive conduct is expected of all participants that requires self-control, individual decision-making, responsibility, and adherence to a code that is appropriate for each conference experience. The Code of Conduct shall be observed by both youth and adults. There is no double standard. With this in mind, the following Code of Conduct has been established for the Model Legislature/Court Program.

THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS

Youth and Government is a joint effort between your local YMCA (or high school) and the statewide Youth & Government office. Working together, we strive to offer each delegate a quality learning and social experience that will enhance their high school years.

WHAT YOUR LOCAL YMCA PROVIDES YOUTH DELEGATES:

• Local YMCAs organize and run each delegation in a safe appropriate setting. Either a YMCA professional or a trained volunteer works with participants on a weekly basis starting in September.
• Local YMCAs are responsible to conduct a program that is run in accordance with the rules and expectations of the state office. They are required to submit all forms on or before the deadlines.
• It is up to the local delegation to establish the criteria for participation in the program, running for office, and assignment to program roles within the guidelines set forth by the state office.
• Local delegations organize transportation to and from each conference.
• Local YMCAs establish and collect fees necessary to conduct the program. Delegations set fees based on their individual situations, which include: Fees paid to the state office, transportation, additional meals needed, delegation awards, delegation sweatshirts, YMCA membership dues [if applicable], insurance, and costs for adult volunteers. Local delegations provide fundraising opportunities for youth to help defray the costs of participation.
• Local YMCAs and parents are responsible for providing trip and/or medical insurance for the participants.
• Local YMCAs are responsible for providing any additional training not provided by the statewide office.
• Local YMCAs are responsible for all communications regarding the program to the individual delegates.
• Local delegations are responsible for the immediate removal of any delegate expelled by the Youth & Government Program. The state office expects the local delegation to initially be prepared to cover any financial consequences involved with sending a delegate home with the understanding that these costs will ultimately be borne by the parents/guardian of the expelled child.

WHAT THE STATEWIDE YOUTH & GOVERNMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUTH DELEGATES:

• A well-established and highly regarded program with over 57 years of experience.

• A dedicated and well-trained staff that have a vast experience in teen work.
• A large cadre of experienced, trained volunteers who give countless hours each year to provide a quality experience for each participant.
• First rate supplies and equipment to be used by participants. This includes extensive printed material, and access to computers and state of the art audio-visual equipment.
• Arrangements with well respected food service companies to provide plentiful, nutritious meals at the Training and Elections Conferences. The program provides an ample variety to satisfy vegetarian participants but cannot cater to extreme dietary requirements.
• Arrangements with the State of California Military Department for the use of barracks and classrooms at Camp Roberts (about 15 miles north of Paso Robles). Accommodations are somewhat spartan, with barracks having 50 bunk beds and communal bathrooms. Delegates need to bring their own sleeping bags, towels, and toiletries, and be prepared for cold, wet, weather. Delegates are instructed not to bring any items of value, especially, cameras, radios, and CD players, since there are no facilities for securing these items. A special study room is available in the evening for delegates who need to spend time preparing for school exams.
• Arrangements with both the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Sheraton Grand Hotel Inn to provide accommodations for program participants in Sacramento during the Model Legislature & Court. In order to house over 2000 people, the hotels will assign up to four people to each guest room. Delegations are required to bring at least 2 sleeping bags for each room occupied. Delegations submit their own housing lists but it is understood and expected that at least 2 people will be sleeping on the floor. The hotels supply extra towels to provide for one towel per day per person in each room. Delegates are encouraged to bring an extra patterned towel (especially girls).
• Approximately fifteen trained volunteer deans who are constantly on duty to monitor the behavior of the delegates when not in session. The statewide office also contracts with the Sacramento Police Department for the services of off duty officers to patrol in the general area of our hotel and the Convention Center during the evening hours. Adult Advisors are assigned to monitor every floor used by the group from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.
• A volunteer paramedic who is at each conference. Emergency medical assistance is always available. Copies of each participant’s medical forms are held in the conference headquarters should the delegation’s advisor not be available in an emergency. Directions to the nearest medical facility are printed in each handbook.
• Extensive training and counsel to each adult advisor working with the program. The statewide office establishes a ratio of delegates/advisors that local delegations are required to meet. The current ratio is 1 certified Advisor to 11 delegates if the Advisor was certified at the Advisor Development Conference, 1 certified advisor to 9 delegates if the Advisor was certified at a one-day training, and 1 advisor for every 7 delegates if the Advisor was not certified.
• Access to scholarship funds for economically disadvantaged youth. Scholarships are award by the Governing Board of YMCA Youth & Government. Funding for scholarships is made possible through the YMCA's Governor Deukmejian Endowment Fund.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DELEGATION.

THE STAFF OF THE CALIFORNIA YMCA YOUTH & GOVERNMENT PROGRAM LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOUR TEEN IN THE COMING YEAR.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
CAMP ROBERTS Y&G OFFICE - Phone number will be assigned to Youth & Government at a later date.	Call (650) 522-9622 for referral.
HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, Sacramento	(916) 443-1234
SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, Sacramento	(916) 447-1700
CORCORAN YMCA, Corcoran	(559) 992-5171
YMCA YOUTH & GOVERNMENT OFFICE, San Mateo	(650) 522-9622

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