There are many ways to participate in the Montana YMCA Youth and Government Program. Here is a brief summary of the positions that are available, with links to areas containing more detail:
PAGE: First year students, usually freshmen with no prior experience. These students are "gofers" who run errands for the student legislators and adult staff of the Youth Legislature. A great way to learn the ropes and also excellent training for becoming a Legislative Page for the "real" Montana State Legislature. Each school is asked to bring at least one page. Click here for more information about this position.
REPORTER: Any student with an interest in Journalism. A Daily Newspaper is produced and a staff of 12-20 reporters, artists and editors is needed to put it together. Click here for more information about this position. Reporters are asked to submit one news article per delegation in advance of the session, due by April 15. Click here for more information on this position.
NEWSPAPER EDITOR: This is a position filled by a Junior or Senior upon application. One or two people are appointed to run the newspaper each year. Interested Reporters apply for the job in February. The Editor oversees all aspects of the daily session newspaper and reporters. An adult advisor assists the Editor.
LOBBYIST: Usually first or second year students who want to become legislators, but occasionally an older student who enjoys the role. Each Lobbyist chooses an area of interest, writes a one page "position paper" on their topic, tracks bills that are of interest to them and tries to influence legislators. Lobbyists may move up to become legislators if a member of their delegation becomes ill and cannot attend. Click here for more information about this position. (Click here for our complete Lobbyist Guide)
REPRESENTATIVE: Member of the Youth Legislature House of Representatives. Usually second year or later students, occasionally first year participants who are Juniors, Seniors, or members of first year delegations. Each Representative must write or co-write a bill, debate it in committee and on the floor, participate in all legislative meetings, and behave as if they were a "real" legislator. The State Office allocates seats based on delegation size. Each club decides for itself how to choose which members get to be legislatiors. Click here for more information about this position.
SENATOR: Member of the Youth Legislature Senate. The "top of the heap," usually Seniors, rarely if ever first year students unless from a first year school. Each Senator must write or co-write a bill. They must carry out the same duties and meet the same requirements as Representatives. The State Office allocates seats based on delegation size. Click here for more information about this position.
COMMITTEE CHAIR: House or Senate members, usually students with at one year's prior experience as a legislator. Participants must apply and be appointed to these positions in February. In most cases, we attempt to give every delegation at least one committee chair, if they have at least one qualified applicant. Click here for more information about this position.
FIRST YEAR PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR: Member of the Youth Legislature First Year Program. Participants are usually Freshmen and Sophomores, but Juniors attending for the first time may also choose this option if they do not or cannot participate in the regular House or Senate. Just as in the Regular chambers, each Representative or Senator must write or co-write a bill, debate it in committee and on the floor, participate in all legislative meetings, and behave as if they were a "real" legislator. Click here for more information on the First Year Program
ELECTED OFFICERS:
Youth Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Secretary of State, Speaker of the House, and President of
the Senate are elected the previous year for the current year's
session.
Click here for
more information about these positions and the election
process.
Click Here for a
list of this year's officers and those who served in previous
years.
APPOINTED OFFICERS: Other offices, such as Sergeant at Arms, Clerk of the House, etc., are filled by application or allotted to each delegation, usually one office per delegation (large delegations will sometimes get two, very small delegations sometimes get none). Each delegation selects their officer however they see fit. Other than the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate and Speaker Pro Tempore of the House, officer roles do not debate or vote on bills. Click here for more information on these positions.
CABINET: Each year a set number of Governor's Cabinet members are selected upon application to the Youth Governor, who makes final choices. Cabinet applicants must be people who have signed up to be lobbyists. Click here for more information on this position.
ATTORNEY: In the Model Supreme Court, teams of Attorneys argue an Case before a "bench" of Youth Justices. Click here for more information on this position.
JUSTICE: The Chief Justice of the Model Supreme Court is elected by participants to serve the following year. In addition, 6 more participants are selected by application to serve as Model Supreme Court Associate Justices. Interested individuals must apply for these positions in February. Click here for more information on this position.
ADVISOR:
Usually a teacher, YMCA staff member, or other
primary person (over 21) who organizes students into an club,
supervises bill writing, meetings, money collection, etc. They
disseminate info from the state office to the students in a timely
manner and see that required forms and mailings are done when needed.
Youth participants are expected to take leadership as the Advisor
suggests in finding guest speakers, running actual meetings, and so
on.
VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers are an integral
part of Youth and Government. Any adult interested in helping young
people learn more about State Government is welcome to become a
program volunteer. We have many roles and duties that volunteers can
fill! We welcome your support!
CHAPERONE: Teachers, YMCA
staff or interested parents. Any responsible adult over 21 who will
supervise students at Youth Legislature, particularly during
committee hearings, free time, the evening and night.