< Special Investigative Panel >

Investigative Panel Meeting
Convention Center
Sacramento, California

The Special Investigative Panel Program is designed to model Gubernatorial or Presidential "Select" Panels or Commissions that are formed to research specific issues and problems, interview knowledgeable witnesses and then publish their findings and recommendations. As with real panels or commissions, adult expert witnesses and decision makers will be asked to testify before our panels giving members a chance to question those directly working on the issue they are researching. Panel members will do independent research as well as debate the issue among themselves on their way to identifying a sound policy recommendation. Each Panel will compile their findings into a summary report which will be presented to the Youth Governor. Lastly, each sub-panel will present their findings to a panel which will judge which sub-panel presented the best all around report and solution to their issue in question. Ideal delegates for this program are those that are interested in working hard, thoroughly researching an issue, setting aside preconceived notions and working closely with others whose opinions may vary greatly from theirs all in order to find a real world solution to a real world problem. In short, Panel Members are those who are looking to make a difference.

PANEL MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES:

At T&E II, Panel Members will organize, elect a Panel Chair and Co-Chair and begin to research the scope of their issue.
Some Potential relevant witnesses will have already been contacted and asked to volunteer their time to appear on either Thursday night or Friday during the Sacramento Model Legislature/Court. Each Panel may suggest others to be contacted.
Also at T&E II, delegates will learn techniques of argument, interviewing witnesses, report preparation, public speaking, and priority setting.
Their work in Sacramento will be divided as follows:
- Witness testimony on Thursday night and nearly all day Friday.
- Deliberation of findings and opinions Friday night.
- On Saturday, each group will write and compile their report, dividing the work so each member of the group is working with a partner.
- Saturday night, they will complete and print their reports. One copy each will be given to the Youth Governor, the real Governor, and program staff. Each delegate will have a compact disk copy of their report to take home.
- Saturday night and Sunday morning, each Panel will prepare their summary presentation of findings and recommendations.
- Sunday afternoon, each group will present their summary findings to a panel who will judge the winning group.
- At the awards ceremony, the Panel Chairs will present the Youth Governor with printed copies of their reports, and the winning Panel will be announced.
- Copies of each report will be posted to the Y&G web site.

PROGRAM BENEFITS:

Delegates will feel they are involved in creating solutions to real issues facing our society. Created on the heels of the 911 Commission, this program directly mimics actual panels and panels that are routinely created to solve problems and help set policy.
Interviewing actual experts and decision makers or their representatives will heighten the "real" feeling of the program, foster of sense of power of a delegates individual voice, as well as add to the high profile and esteem of the Y&G program among government professionals statewide.
Along with continuing to evolve the overall program, this program will give delegates a strong sense of pride of self and in the work they do.