PROGRAM AREA SUMMARIES

In Youth & Government, everyone is put into a program area for the statewide conferences. You will spend your time at T & E 1, in November, by being introduced to each program area, and will chose your program of choice before T & E 2, in January. Here is a list of all the program areas you can be apart of, along with its requirements, and tips for success:

*NOTICE: Freshmen are only allowed to be in Forum, all 10th, 11th, and 12th graders get to pick whichever program area they are interested in*

FORUM

General Info:
Forum is for all the 9th graders throughout California YMCA Youth & Government. Forum offers 9th graders an opportunity to see how the entire program works, allowing them to participate in both the Forum Legislature as well as other roles (such as Forum Court, Forum Lobbyist, Forum Media, etc). All members of the Forum are initially split into committees of 10-20 delegates and assigned a topic (anything from social media responsibility to LGBTQ+ issues to prison reform to the CA foster care system). Each committee, then writes one bill that will be debated in the Forum Legislature. The Forum Legislature is comprised of the Forum Senate and the Forum of Assembly (in which delegates are sorted to each randomly). Members of the Forum will have the opportunity to speak in front of small, medium, and large groups.
Who is Forum for?:
You must be in 9th grade, and this is the ONLY program available to 9th graders; however, forum is a great opportunity to get involved, participate, and share your ideas on creating legislation. A positive aspect of Forum is that you are in a program area with only 9th graders, so it is less intimidating.
Tips for Success:
-Interact with delegates OUTSIDE of your delegation. Forum is about getting to meet the other freshmen from around California, you can hang out with your SGV friends back in the hotel room or back home.
-Be committee chair. You do not have to apply for a forum committee chair. The advisor leading your forum committee group, will ask if anyone is interested in being the committee chair. All you have to do is stand up and give a 2 minute speech on why you should be the chair. Most often times, the delegates who win, are the ones that promise to bring candy to Sacramento for the entire committee. You do not need any prior experience to be committee chair because the advisor will teach you everything you need to know. It’s a great opportunity to have a leadership position in the program. Plus, if you win, then Y&G pays for you to FLY up to Sacramento one day early to attend pre-conference leadership sessions!
-In your free time, campaign for other SGVers running for elected positions. When we say campaign, we simply mean going up to other delegates in the Forum (even if you don’t know them) and talking about our delegates that are running and their platform. Campaigning is also a great way to meet new people.
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. Just remember that every other delegate in the forum is also a 9th grader. Everyone is nervous and trying to figure out what is going on. The discussion topics in forum tend to be easier, such as, “JB or One Direction” to “Is a hotdog a sandwich?” There is no pressure to give the best speech any one has ever heard on why Justin Bieber is better than One Direction. Just go up there and do your best.

SENATE / ASSEMBLY

General Info:
The Senate & Assembly programs are designed to debate and pass Legislation that is created by delegates in Y&G. All members of the Senate and Assembly are also voting members of our Legislative Committees. Each committee contains approximately 20-30 delegates along with at least one Lobbyist. Every committee will get the opportunity to meet in an actual committee room in capitol building. During conference, Senators and Assemblymen will debate bills in these committees. If the bill passes then, the bill proceeds on to be debated on the Floor of the Assembly and Senate. The Senate program is comprised of a Blue group, a Red group and a Gold group and the Assembly program is comprised of a Blue group, a Red group and Gold group Both consisting of approximately 150 participants in each.
Who is Senate/Assembly for?:
Senate/Assembly is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. It is also for those delegates interested in improving their public speaking skills, and debating legislation that would directly affect Californians.
Tips for Success:
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. You will never get another opportunity to speak on the Senate and Assembly floors in the capitol building unless you end up becoming a California Senator of Assemblyman sometime in 30 years. This is the reason so many delegates participate in the program. Take advantage of the opportunity.
-Sponsor a bill. It’s fun to raise your hand and speak impromptu on the legislation, but it's’ even more fun to get a bill that you sponsored through the Senate, Assembly, and onto our Youth Governor’s desk. Plus, when you have a bill, you get guaranteed speaking time in the Senate and Assembly.

LOBBYIST

General Info:
The Lobbyist program gives delegates the opportunity to act as lobbyists for and against legislation from the Senate/Assembly programs. At the start of your time as a Lobbyist, you are separated into a Political Action Committees (PACs) and assigned pieces of legislation. Over the course of your time in the Lobbyist program, you become an expert on your assigned piece of legislation and it becomes your job to make sure bills pass, or fail, in their respective Legislative Committees. After all the Committees have finished and the Legislators are in session, the PACs meet and write Initiatives. Initiatives are basically, your own personal proposals such as: “Women should be allowed to take their tops off in public” or “It should be illegal to bite your string cheese.” Some initiatives are silly and others are serious, it’s really up to you and your PAC. Once your Initiatives are written, you need to get enough delegate signatures to get them on the ballot. Once on the ballot, your initiatives are voted upon the entire Youth & Government program.
Who is Lobbyist for?:
The Lobbyist program is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. This program is for delegates who like working in teams. You work with your PAC to be the most effective Lobbyist group. There is even a prize for the best PAC. Speaking of prizes, the Lobbyist program gives out a lot of them. Often times, the advisors will give you candy and rewards for doing your jobs, and other times, they will have competitions with in the Lobbyist program and among the PACs. The Lobbyist program also gives delegates a lot of free time. If you are interested in a program area with a lot of freedom, and the opportunity to get really invested in specific bills, then the Lobbyists program is for you.
Tips for Success:
-Prepare your Lobbyist speeches before your committee sessions. It’s always good to take advantage of the opportunity to give a prepared speech. Do the research, become an expert on your bill topic, and it will be easy to show the legislative committee why or why not the bill should pass.
-Meet other delegates. Since you will be spending most of your time in this program area speaking to other delegates about your Initiatives and speaking to your legislative committee, you will have extensive opportunities to meet and get to know other delegates. Especially since your PAC is comprised of mostly delegates that you won’t know.
-Campaign for SGV candidates. The lobbyist program gives you the most free time out of any program area. There are many ways to utilize this time. One such way is to CAMPAIGN for our candidates.

LEGISLATIVE ANALYST

General Info:
The Legislative Analyst program gives delegates the opportunity to serve as analysts on the bills presented in the Senate/Assembly. The Legislative Analyst program is the only program within Youth and Government that provides delegates with a front row seat to the entire legislative process. Meaning, only Legislative Analysts can follow a bill from introduction, through committees, to both chambers, and then to the Governor. Members of the Assembly or Senate are not even as fortunate. Participants speak in front of small and large groups, committee meetings and on the senate/assembly floors.
Who is Legislative Analyst for?:
Legislative Analyst is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. This program is for delegates who like giving prepared speeches. You will have extensive opportunities to speak and present your ideas on your assigned legislation. This program is also designed for delegates who believe strongly in the fiscal (economic) responsibility that legislation should have.
Tips for Success:
-Prepare your Legislative analyst reports ahead of time. Legislative analyst reports are based on numbers and facts. With just 20 minutes of research on your assigned bill, you could find information that makes or breaks the bill.
-Meet other delegates. The legislative analyst program takes you throughout the entire legislative process. It takes you through committees, all the way to the Governors, therefore you have a generous amount of opportunities for you to meet delegates from all over Y&G.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF)

General Info:
The Department of Finance aims to create and pass a budget for California’s spending and taxing. There are 3 groups (also known as “Budgets”) with in DOF. The Red Budget, The Blue Budget, and The Gold Budget. Each budget is competing against the other two in order to make the best spending and taxing proposal for California. The winning group is the one whose budget is accepted by the Youth Governor. Besides being in one of the three budgets, everyone is also in a small committee of 3-5 delegates. Each committee has a topic similar to the Forum, such as K-12 education, Welfare, Environmental, etc. You will work in this small committee to create 3-5 pieces of legislation to be debated with in your larger budget. However, the legislation created in DOF differs from that of the Senate/Assembly. All the legislation created in DOF must in some way be linked to changes in state expenses and money. For example: If you want to ban fracking in California, you can’t do that. Instead, you could impose a 7% tax on the fracking industry and in turn discourage fracking in California. You would then work with your committee to determine how much money California would make or lose with your proposal. The budget with the most money and achieves the most of the Youth Governor’s goals wins.
Who is DOF for?:
DOF is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. DOF requires delegates to get really involved in their program area. If you want to have an extremely exciting Sacramento conference, where you get really invested (no pun intended) in the proposals you are making, then this is program area for you. I know that debating money may sound boring, but DOF delegates have produced some of the most creative and exciting proposals that Y&G has ever seen. Being in DOF, also includes a private Youth Governor candidate debate at Sacramento, that is only for DOF delegates. Due to the small size of the budget groups of around 50 delegates each, there are tons of opportunities to speak. Debates and discussion in DOF are fast passed and filled with genius ideas. Everyone gets an opportunity to speak, and propose a proposal. Plus, who doesn’t like money? $$$
Tips for Success:
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. The small setting of DOF gives you ample opportunities to speak on anything from earthquakes to bank investing.
-Sponsor a proposal and get involved in the discussion. We promise that DOF will be fun if you get into it. If you are just sitting on the side and watching the discussions without contributing, it may not be as fun as you thought.
-Meet other delegates. Once again, due to the small setting within the Department of Finance, you have the opportunity to meet almost every delegate in your budget group. Some are very serious and others are extremely silly. But we guarantee, you will meet new friends in DOF.

CALIFORNIA INVESTMENT BANK (CIB)

General Info:
The California Investment Bank is very similar to the show “Shark Tank”. Delegates in the CIB are, led by the California’s State Treasurer, and are broken into groups where they either serve on a board or on a team representing a private business seeking funding. Through the issuance and sale of state bonds, the State Treasurer raises money, while the board divides those funds appropriately. Delegates representing private businesses present their ideas for solving a problem or completing a project to the representatives of the Treasury in order to obtain funding for their proposals. For example: A private business represented by 5 delegates may propose an idea for solar panels to power California. They must present their idea to the board (shark-tank) and ask for money to support their idea.
Who is CIB for?:
CIB is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. The California Investment Bank program consists of approximately 30 participants in total. If you are interested in this program, please let our advisors know ahead of time, because it is selective. The CIB is made for those delegates interested in bargaining and negotiations. We guarantee, there is no other program area like CIB
Tips for Success:
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. The negotiating skills you gain from CIB are unparalleled.
-Talk our advisors if you are interested in this program because, space is limited.
-Meet other delegates. Due to the fact that there are only 30 delegates in the CIB, you’ll have dozens of opportunities to meet every delegate in the CIB.

NATIONAL ISSUES COMMISSION (NIC)

General Info:
The NIC debates and discusses national issues compared to the California based issues discussed in the Senate/Assembly. Each NIC participant writes proposals that are of national importance, and each proposal is presented by the author in a small group (14-16). For example: One proposal could be about “Changing all the food expiration dates on all food products to MM/DD/YY.” Another proposal could be about fighting ISIS, or a proposal to ban all meat on Mondays. Some proposals are clever and well researched, and others are just plain ridiculous, such as “Merging the United States and Canada to form one nation.” Each small group hears the author, debates and and then ranks the proposal on 5 criteria (Feasibility, Debatability, Importance, Creativity and Research). Highly ranked proposals move on to subsequent rounds of debate. Each round is an even larger group of NIC participants. The proposals that are successful in all three rounds are then debated in front of the entire NIC program, in General Assembly (GA). If your proposal does make it to the next round, then you continue on without a proposal to debate and rank other delegate proposals
Who is NIC for?:
NIC is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. The NIC is perfect for delegates who are independent. Everyone in NIC has their own proposal, and focuses on how far they can get off their own speaking ability. Plus, the NIC is great for delegates who plan on applying to CONA (Conference on National Affairs). CONA is structured in a similar way to the NIC, and will give you a taste on what the conference would be like. If you are looking for a program area where you have the opportunity to create your own proposal and be solely responsible for its success, then the NIC is for you.
Tips for Success:
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. The NIC provides small, medium, and large speaking settings. We recommend speaking in all three so you can get a taste of what type of public speaking you enjoy best.
-When you create your proposal, make sure it fits the criteria. But above all else, be creative and original. We recommend writing own possible proposal ideas in your phone when you think of them. That way you have options later on when writing your official proposals.
-Meet other delegates. Since everyone is on their own for the most part throughout the NIC, everyone is looking to make new friends and meet new people. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet delegates from other delegations.
-Participate in the Adversary Core. The Adversary Core is sub-group with in the NIC which focuses on defeating proposals in GA. A very select few participate on this team, but anyone who wants to be on the team can. It’s a great way to get more involved in the NIC, and perfect for delegates whose proposals got shut down in earlier rounds. On this team, you have several guaranteed opportunities to speak against proposals in GA.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION (IAC)

General Info:
The IAC debates and discusses international issues compared to the California based issues discussed in the Senate/Assembly or the national issues in the NIC. Delegates work in small teams (3-4 delegates) to learn about and then develop innovative solutions to international/world issues (clean and available water, human trafficking, whaling, air quality, deforestation, nuclear arms, immunizations, terrorism, poverty, famine, animal extinction, global pandemics, colonization, trade, women's rights, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, drug trafficking, adoption, infrastructure, etc.). The program is focused on collaborative work, research, technology based presentations, traditional public speaking and debate.
Who is IAC for?:
IAC is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. The IAC is perfect for delegates who are interested in international politics. You get a little bit of everything in the IAC, and have a plethora of opportunities to speak. If you are looking for a program area where you work in teams to solve the world’s biggest issues, then the IAC is for you.
Tips for Success:
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. The IAC provides several group setting perfect for brainstorming solutions to the world’s issues.
-Meet other delegates. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet delegates from other delegations through your IAC teams.

POLITICAL PARTIES / ISSUES AND ACTIVISM

General Info:
The Political Parties program gives participants a chance to run a political campaign and help get candidates elected. Each of the four parties is headed up by a Party Chair, who will help shape the party’s platform, select party leadership, and coordinate the party’s efforts to recruit both officer candidates and party membership. There are around 25 delegates per political party that help to run their candidate campaign.
Who is Political Parties for?:
Political parties is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Political parties is perfect for delegates who love the campaigning process on a statewide level. If you are creative individual, who likes getting to know delegates from across California on a personal level then the program is for you. Political parties is a perfect way to make new friends.
Tips for Success:
-Meet other delegates. Political parties involves going around Sacramento and spreading a certain candidates platform. It’s the perfect excuse to go up to someone random and make a new friend.
-Get creative. The best campaigns are the ones that are the most creative. You will be a major asset to your political party if you can come up with unique ideas for spreading your candidate’s platform.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION (CON-CON)

General Info:
Con-con focuses on creating a constitution for California. As such, delegates create the document from scratch without the benefit or hindrance of a survey of current or prior versions of the California Constitution. Throughout the program, participants are immersed in constitutional issues ranging from voting rights to resource use to property rights all while learning the difference between the federal and state constitutions. Training for this program is highly interactive as delegates engage one another over constitutional concepts in one-on-one, small group and large group speaking opportunities. Working within the frame of the U.S. Constitution, delegates work together to draft a new California Constitution. Delegates will speak one-on-one, in small groups, and large groups.
Who is Con-Con for?:
Con-Con is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. But, 12th graders tend to get priority when it comes to this program area. Con-con is for delegates interested in intense debates, and fully immersing themselves in their program area. The debate style in Con-Con is unlike other program areas due to its two on two format with frequent interruptions and a constantly evolving discussion. Con-Con is for delegates looking for something entirely new. With this program area, you never know what kind of Constitution could be produced. In years past, Y&G Constitutional Conventions have made the California government a communist regime, legalized “chilling” as a job, and even legalized marijuana. You never know what to expect in Con-Con.
Tips for Success:
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. Con-Con is truly as fun as you make it. There are no limits to what you can come up with for our state constitution. The only limit is you own creativity.
-Meet other delegates. Con-Con often involved frequent break-out sessions where you work with fellow delegates to create the Constitution. It’s the perfect excuse to introduce yourself to other delegates.

MEDIA

General Info:
The Media program is the combination of Broadcast Media and Press Corps (formerly Print Media) programs. It will focus on the media’s role as the government’s “fourth estate” and on effective journalism. It will also include written material, social media, and a broadcasted news program. In the media program you have the opportunity to be out on the streets of Sacramento representing the media.
Who is Media for?:
Media is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Media is perfect for delegates who want to find out the truth behind what’s going on in the various Y&G program areas. If you like being on air, and reporting the news, then media is for you. If you like typing out articles on the current events in the Y&G program, then media is for you. If you like posting to social media, and showing the world what Y&G is doing, then media is for you.
Tips for Success:
-Meet other delegates. Media is perfect for going up to random delegates and interviewing them on their time in the program. Take advantage of that press badge.
-Media gives you the opportunity to meet with the officers and advisers of the Y&G program. Take advantage of your press authority and meet with officials and advisors.

BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOARD OF ED.)

General Info:
The Board of Ed. focuses on a current issue facing education in California. The delegates analyze what potential improvements could be made, and why those changes should be put into effect. Board of Education members are divided into Boards, presided over by Superintendents. Task forces create proposals to improve the educational outcomes of California’s students by exploring an aspect of the main topic. These groups research their position on the topic, hear experts speak, write a proposal, advocate their solution to the problem, and present those proposals for solution before a Board of Education panel. Board members work and present in a small group of 5-7 delegates and have an opportunity to advocate for their position as a speaker on the proposal or directly from the Board panel as a sitting member.
Who is Board of Education for?:
The Board of Education is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. The Board of Ed. is perfect for delegates who are interested in finding solutions to the problems in California’s education system. A lot of delegates get involved in Y&G because they notice the issues in their own communities and schools, in hopes of making changes. Board of Ed. is perfect for making these changes.
Tips for Success:
-Speak as much as you can even though it may intimidating. The Board of Education is a very specific program area, so you should have plenty of opportunities to research a specific part of California’s education system.
-Meet other delegates. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet delegates from other delegations through your Board of Education teams.
-Look for problems with in your own schools, and daily education in order to find issues you wish to address on a statewide level.

CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY TEAM (CET)

General Info:
The California Emergency Team is a dynamic program area in which participants will work to solve a crisis facing the State of California. Each year, the staff team will manufacture a crisis to be managed by the California Emergency Team. Natural Disasters, Constitutional Crisis and dividing California into five separate states have all been previously addressed by the California Emergency Team. Participants in the California Emergency Team program may use court injunctions, emergency legislation and other legal remedies to solve the problem with which they are presented. The goal is to work as a team to solve a crisis California.
Who is California Emergency Team for?:
The California Emergency Team is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. If you are having trouble deciding on one program area, then the California Emergency Team might be for you. In this program, you get a little bit of everything. You can travel to the supreme court to debate the legalities of your solution to the emergency at hand. You can get lobbyists to lobby for or against a solution to your problem. You can update the media, and help in spreading the world of a possible natural disaster. You can even travel to DOF and work on passing feasible financial funds for your team’s solution.
Tips for Success:
-Let Bonnie or Mauricio know early on if you are interested in this program area, because there is extremely limited space.
-Meet other delegates. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet delegates from other delegations through your CET trips to various program areas.
-Get into it. The California Emergency Team is for delegate who want to pretend like they are in a real Emergency, and they are the only team that has the authority to solve the problem at hand. The more involved you get in this program, the more fun you’ll have.

APPELLATE COURT

General Info:
During conferences, Appellate Court participants will serve as either a Justice or an Attorney, with attorneys separated into Appellants (representing the party that filed the appeal) and Respondents (representing the party who is defending against the appeal). During the Appellate Court proceedings, the attorneys present an argument to a panel of justices who hear the case and then draft one or more opinions to decide the case. Both attorneys and justices are given cases and back-up material to study between T&E II and the MLC conferences. Attorneys are required to speak in front of their panel of justices and field questions. Justices ask attorneys questions and then meet in their group to discuss their case.
Who is Appellate Court for?:
The Appellate Court is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Appellate court is perfect for delegates who like to reevaluate case law, and take on the criminal justice system. Appellate court delegates report having a passion for going over case files in hopes of finding a discrepancy and winning their case. This program area gets as fun as you make it. If you are a creative and dedicated delegate, than this program is for you.
Tips for Success:
-Meet other delegates. Being in Appellate court gives you the opportunity to find delegates who love the court program just as much as you do.
-Get into it. Appellate Court is only as fun as you make it. If you get involved, and passionate about your case, then you will have an amazing time

BENCH TRIAL

General Info:
Bench Trial participants are split into teams of two and will serve as either a prosecuting attorney, or a defense attorney. Attorneys will be taught the basics of how to try a case, such as opening/closing statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, and evidence. The program culminates in the halls of the Sacramento County Superior Court, where each team will argue in front of a judge. Attorney’s work in teams of two and speak in front of a small group. Basically, you spend your time in bench trial either convicting or releasing an alleged criminal.
Who is Bench Trial for?:
Bench Trial is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Bench Trial is ideal for delegates who enjoy evaluating case law and appealing to a jury. Bench trial is similar to appellate court, except that instead of appealing to just a judge, you are appealing to a jury.
Tips for Success:
-Meet other delegates. Being in Bench Trials allows you the opportunity to find delegates who love the court program just as much as you do.
-Get into it. Just like Appellate Court, Bench Trial is only as fun as you make it. If you get involved, and passionate about your case, then you will have an amazing time.

JURY TRIAL

General Info:
Jury Trial is a more advanced version of Bench Trial. You are appealing a case to a larger jury than Bench Trial.
Who is Jury Trial for?:
Jury Trial is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Jury Trial is ideal for delegates who enjoy evaluating case law and appealing to a large jury. There are only 15 spots in Jury Trial, so you MUST apply for this program area quickly.
Tips for Success:
-Let our advisors know if you are interested in this program area because you must apply and there is limited space.
-Get into it. Just like Appellate Court and Bench Trial, Jury Trial is only as fun as you make it. If you get involved, and passionate about your case, then you will have an amazing time.

SUPREME COURT

General Info:
The Supreme Court is application only, and is an advanced version of the Appellate Court program. Applicants are interviewed at T&E II and will be selected to act as attorneys, or justices. Participants receive advanced court training and are expected to arrive a day early to the MLC conference in February, for additional training. Participants are expected to work hard and will be speaking in front of small groups
Who is Supreme Court for?:
Supreme Court is for delegates in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Supreme Court is for delegates that plan on getting invested in their case. This program requires a lot of work and dedicated case review. Arguably, Supreme Court requires the most work of any program area, but it is by far worth it. Every Supreme Court delegate has reported an amazing experience out of this program area. There are only 13 spots in Supreme Court, so you must apply for this program area quickly.
Tips for Success:
-Let our advisors know if you are interested in this program area because you must apply and there is limited space.
-Get into it. Just like Appellate Court and Bench Trial and Jury Trial, Supreme Court is only as fun as you make it. If you get involved, and passionate about your case, then you will have an amazing time.