Youth and Government Schedule

Recommended Schedule and Deadlines for

October 1: Returning schools turn in Intent to Participate cards
September-February: New School Sign up period
January 10: All schools submit preliminary estimates for seat allocation
February 1: Request for Supreme Court cases due (recommended)
February 15: Major Deadline Day. The following are due:
- Registration forms with $10 preregistration fee
- Committee Chair Applications
- Supreme Court Justice Applications
- Governor's Cabinet Applications
- Newspaper Editor Applications
March 1: Bills Due
March 15: Legal Briefs Due
March 15: Reporter's first articles due
April 1: Justices Bench Memoranda drafts due
Montana YMCA Youth & Government Program Session:
late April/early May, depending on the schedule of the real legislature
May 15: CONA Applications Due

October-November:

Obtain necessary support of school administration, school board and other important parties.
Obtain any formal approvals required by local school policy.
Get school-approved absences Okayed for students in accordance with local school policy.
Get Youth and Government dates placed on school schedule to minimize potential time conflicts.
Investigate transportation needs and reserve a bus and driver if needed.
Strategize fund raising needs and goals, begin process of securing necessary funding.
Send in Intent to Participate forms/postcards.

December:

Organize meeting of interested participants to fire up interest in the program, gauge likely size of delegation, plan additional recruitment if needed.
Register delegation with State Office with estimated numbers.
Choose student leadership for club.
Send in estimated student numbers for preliminary legislative seat allocation by January 10.

January:

Regular club meetings begin. Recommend a minimum of two meetings in January.
Investigate current issues relevant to Youth and Government
Do preliminary assignment of positions (House, Senate, Press, etc.) based on allocation estimates from state office.
Begin research for bills, briefs, lobbyist papers, etc.
Law Program cases mailed to club advisors.

February:

March:

Bills and Lobbyist Papers due March 1
Governor's Cabinet Applications due March 1
Supreme Court Brief Drafts due March 15
Reporters draft and submit one article for session paper by March 15.
Bill rewrites must be completed and to state office on March 15
Brief rewrites must be completed and to state office by advertised deadline
Weekly meetings recommended to practice debating bills, have guest speakers, etc.

April:

Approximate Schedule:

Sunday Afternoon-Evening: Registration, orientation, caucuses and workshops. Attendance is required by all youth and adult participants. Pizza Feed in the Capitol Rotunda!
Monday: Swearing-in ceremony, first committee hearings, additional Court Program orientation, Court Oral Arguments, House and Senate floor sessions, Primary election. Monday night is "Y Nite" when everyone can go to the YMCA for swimming, volleyball, basketball, a movie (for the non-athletic sort) and access to the weight room.
Tuesday: Floor sessions, Transmittal Deadline, second committee hearings, Court Oral Arguments, Banquet, Campaign Speeches, Election of next year's officers, Dance.
Wednesday: Final Floor sessions, Final Court Oral Arguments, Awards and Closing ceremonies. We are usually finshed by 1:30 p.m.

May:

CONA applications, preregistration fees and proposal drafts due May 15
Remember to thank local volunteers and sponsors who helped your club go to Y&G!
Talk to School administration and get Y&G dates on the calendar for next year!

June: