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Home > Programs > Youth In Government
Youth In Government
COLORADO YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT IS CHANGING LIVES
"Colorado Youth in Government profoundly impacted the direction of my professional
and personal life. Ten years after attending YIG, I can say that this outstanding
program is the reason I am pursuing a legal career in government and land-use planning.
I initially saw YIG as an opportunity to take three days of excused absences. Little
did I know that I would come home from the state capitol on the third day with an
adrenaline rush and a passion for government and policy that would influence my
educational and career goals. Because of YIG, I majored in political science at
the University of Colorado, and I am now on my way to getting my law degree so that
I may someday professionally participate in the functions of Colorado’s government.
Educating our young citizens about the legislative process and inciting their passions
for change are the key to raising up outstanding future leaders and legislators
in Colorado. No program could accomplish this better than Colorado Youth in Government."
-Mary Lynn Macsalka, J.D. Candidate University of Colorado School of Law, YIG Representative
– 1994, 1995, YIG Speaker of the House
The Colorado YMCA Youth In Government State Board of Directors and Adult Advisors
sincerely thank you for your support of our Annual Giving Club Campaign. Thank you
for making an investment to change the lives of tomorrow’s leaders
About the Program
"Democracy must be learned by each generation."
Colorado Youth in Government is a statewide youth educational program involving
more than 200 high school students in a three month "hands on" experience. Since
its inception, the program has used a variety of activities to build, encourage,
and strengthen those life assets and character traits that will help high school
youth become involved, responsible adults who are decent and respected citizens.
The tool used is a high quality experiential and educational simulation, based upon
Colorado's state government. The program is very comprehensive, and its impact on
the youth participants is dramatic. The core purpose of this highly regarded program
is exemplified in the motto "Democracy Must Be Learned By Each Generation."
Youth in Government is the nation’s premier program for students seeking to learn
more about the society they live in, and will someday be the leaders of. It is also
a great resource for parents who would like to give their kids a head start on developing
important traits like social responsibility and lifetime learning.
The program is designed to give students the opportunity to participate directly
in the major aspects of state government. Students can run for office to become
elected youth officials, assess constitutionality as a justice or lawyer, debate
legislation as a member of the Senate or House, or work as a reporter with the print
and broadcast media.
The program reaches its peak in Denver, at the State Capitol, with the convening of
the three day Model Legislature and Court in November each year. There, "real" government
moves over and the teen delegates "take over," using the historic halls, chambers,
and offices of our State Capitol.
The program is open to all interested Colorado high school students, whether or not
they are members of the YMCA. The sponsoring organizations, usually (but not exclusively)
community YMCAs, form one or more delegations by recruiting teenagers at high schools
or through teen outreach programs. In some cases, delegations are sponsored directly
by schools or other organizations in order for the program to provide opportunities
to all interested high school youth at any location in the State.
Join us this year as the Colorado Youth in Government program embarks on an exciting
mission to transform Colorado high school students into future young leaders.
Contact Colorado YMCA Youth in Government:
Youth in Government State Office
27151 East Lakeview Drive
Aurora, CO 80016
phone: 720-870-2221
Email: troberts@denverymca.org
Executive Director: Kimberly Armitage
Program Coordinator: Taylor Roberts
ADVISORS
2010 CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL AFFAIRS
APPLY NOW!!! Click here for more
The largest group of adults that help to make up the Colorado Youth & Government
program with the most substantial role are the delegation advisors. Advisors can
be YMCA staff or volunteers and come from YMCAs and High Schools all across the
state of Colorado. They serve as chaperones, mentors and trusting friends to the
delegates. Some delegations have an advisor who is also a staff member from a nearby
YMCA. However, the bulk of the advisors are volunteers, many are teachers, many
are former participants and they all commit great amounts of time throughout the
year preparing their delegations for the Model Assembly.
Being an advisor is a rewarding experience that will change young people’s lives.
Advisors must be at least 21 years of age and must complete either the local YMCA
or Denver Metro YMCA volunteer screening process.
REGISTRATION
Online Registration is Now Available!!! Click
Here for Online Registration. Click here if you want to download the 2010 registration form and mail it
in.
GET APPOINTED AS AN OFFICER
Leadership positions in Colorado YMCA Youth in Government are held by student participants
who are elected or appointed by their peers. Officers are elected at the annual
pre-legislative convention held before the Model Assembly every year. Appointed
officers are appointed by the elected officers after pre-leg.
APPOINTED POSITIONS –
read more
How to be considered for an appointed office:
1. Review the Qualifications and Responsibilities for Elected and Appointed Positions
2. Decide which office you want to be considered for. Download the appropriate nomination
form above next to the office you want to be appointed for.
3. Bring a completed nomination form to the Pre-Legislative Convention and hand
it in to program staff.
REGISTRATION, DATES AND DEADLINES
*** All participant registration forms and fees are due at the Schlessman YMCA on Friday, October 30, 2009***
2010 GENERAL SESSION TRAINING
Students will learn bill writing and parliamentary procedures. All participants must attend.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:30 - 9:00pm
GST Boulder
Fairview High School
Thursday, October 21, 2010, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
GST Denver
Schlessman YMCA, 2625 S Colorado Blvd.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6:30 - 9:00pm
GST Colorado Springs
Tri Lakes YMCA
Friday, October 29, 2010
Registration Deadline for Model Assembly
Friday, November 5, 2010, 5PM
All Bills are due in Final format
Email your bills to: troberts@denverymca.org
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Youth Officer Training
Location TBD
Monday - Wednesday, November 22 – 24, 2010, 8:00am - 5:00pm
2009 Model Assembly
Colorado State Capitol
Alumni
Are you an alumnus of the program? We'd like to hear from you!
Please email us at troberts@denverymca.org
or you can mail us at:
Youth in Government State Office,
27151 East Lakeview Drive, Aurora, CO 80016.
Please include your email and mailing addresses so we can send you periodic updates
of what other program alumni are up to. Also, please feel free to include a few
sentences about yourself to include in our newsletters to fellow alumni.
COLORADO YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT
HONORARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Honorable Bill Owens
40th Governor of the State of Colorado
The Honorable Richard Lamm
38th Governor of the State of Colorado
Executive Director of the Center for Public Policy & Contemporary Issues
University of Denver
The Honorable Suzanne Williams
Colorado State Senator, District 28
The Honorable Nancy Todd
Colorado State Representative, District 41
Membership on the Honorary Board is reserved for individuals having obtained significant
prominence in Colorado public affairs who make an annual financial or service contribution
to Colorado YMCA Youth in Government.
STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michael McCormick, Chair
Mary Lynn Macsalka, Secretary
The Honorable Jack Arrowsmith
Coral Cosway
Valerie Arnold
Fred Haines
Terry Hugar
Lowell Sharp
Steve Terry
Student Members: Dalton Curry, Kate Travis
The Colorado YMCA Youth in Government State Board of Directors is a volunteer board
comprised of community members, business leaders, government officials, program
alumni, advisors, teachers, and students interested in taking on an active role
in policy making for Colorado Youth in Government. The mission of the State Board
is to provide vision and policy direction for the program, increase opportunities
for the students through fund raising, stimulate growth in program participation
and enrich the program experience for generations to come.
The Program Committee is a committee of the State Board responsible for the maintenance
and development of programs and overseeing the implemention of programming changes.
It also assists with growth of program participation.
If you would like more information about the Board, or are interested in serving,
please contact State Board Chair Michael McCormick at (303) 261-5619 or at coloyigstateboard@yahoo.com
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