Sponsoring a delegation to the YMCA Youth in Government Model Legislature is not difficult. Advisors will receive a packet of information at the beginning of the school year with paperwork and instructions. But here is an outline of what an advisor is asked to do to prepare a delegation: 

1.         Recruit interested students. YMCA staff is happy to come to your classroom or club meetings to help recruit and answer questions. (August or early September)

2.         Work with student to create legislative pairs.  Each pair will write a single bill on any  topic that interests them. Bills  typically are one page, with a few that are longer. (See enclosed sample bills.) YMCA staff can help by presenting a bill-writing seminar, or doing a bill-brainstorming session. Most students are able to come up with legislation ideas easily by perusing newspapers and watching the news for issues that interest them. (September)

3.         Collect student application form from each student, along with $55 Dues checks from each student. Return applications, dues and bills to YIG State Office. (Late September, early October.)

4.         Send rooming list (four students per room) and $180 Hotel/Meals Fee to YIG State Office. (Late October.)

5.         Review YIG parliamentary procedure (included in materials).

6.         Attend conference.

 The following checklist will ensure that your delegation is on track for the conference: 

 ·          To make things simple, delegates at new schools are  limited to legislative roles only during the school’s first year. This means students can choose from Representative or Senator (if the students are seniors) or Premier House Representatives or Premier Senators for all other students. After the first year of participation, students may choose from all conference roles.

·          All students must fill out the Student Registration Packet, and have their parents sign in the designated places. These forms should be returned to the Advisor with  $55 dues. The dues, Student Registrations and Club Registration Form  should be mailed to the YIG state office by the end of September.

·          Student legislators work  in pairs, with each pair writing a single bill. Examples of bills and a blank billform are provided in this handbook. Bills should be mailed to the YIG state office for inclusion in the billbook.  Bills should be mailed by early October.

·          Advisors should collect the $180 Hotel/Meals Fee from each student, and return this to the YIG state office by November 5, along with the school rooming list. (Note: this is a significant price reduction; students at returning schools pay an additional $160 conference fee. This is waived for new schools.)

·          Billbooks will be distributed in mid-November.