Email the state office
Click on the Y logo to learn about other state's programs!
Participants work in local clubs
(school-based or YMCA based) in their local communities throughout
the year. They study the political party system, practice
parliamentary procedure, discuss current social and economic issues,
campaign for office and write legislative bills.
The culmination for the program is the Montana Youth Legislature and
Model Supreme Court held each spring in Helena. Students convene in a
mock session in our historic State Capitol, using the actual House,
Senate, and the Old Supreme Court Chambers. For three and a half
days, they progress through the steps of the legislative process to
act upon the bills they have written. Students introduce their bills,
testify in legislative committee hearings, debate on the floor of the
House and Senate and ultimately send successful legislation to the
Youth Governor for a signature or a veto. Student Attorneys argue
appeals cases and Student Justices decide issues of Montana Law. In
addition, participants also publish a daily newspaper, lobby for
special issues, form a Governor's Cabinet, work as pages, and
generally get a first hand look at the workings of state government.
In each session, students also participate in caucuses, campaign for
the following year's statewide offices, and enjoy the formal
Governor's banquet and ball.
The Youth Governor elected each year represents Montana at the annual
National Conference of Youth Governors in Washington, DC, and Montana
students have also attended the YMCA Youth Conference on National
Affairs.
Nationally, the YMCA Youth and Government Program began in New York State in 1936. Montana's program was organized in 1970, with our first Youth Legislature held in the spring of 1971. From 75 students in 1971, the program now serves over 300 young people.
We also held a Youth "Con-Con" in 1972, corresponding with the real 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention.
For photo archives of past sessions, click here.
For more details on how Youth and Government began nationally, click here.
For a great history of the YMCA in the USA and worldwide, click here
Click Here for a list of past Elected Officers.
Montana's Youth and Government is part of the national YMCA Youth and Government Program which has over 40 participating states in the USA. Montana YMCA Youth and Government is organized under the auspices of the Helena Family YMCA.
|
Email the state office Click on the Y logo to learn about other state's programs! |
|
