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Youth in Government (grades 8-12)

Preparations are underway for the March Model UN, deadline is end of January

What is YIG (YMCA Youth In Government)?

This program is a youth-led, experiential learning opportunity that involves students from all over the state. It builds, in youth, a sense of responsibility and passion for issues, the desire to make a difference, citizenship skills, and helps to mold character in students with a strong focus on leadership development and citizenship-building. Students prepare (in Northfield) for an event in March (in St. Paul). For more information, contact Virginia directly at Virginia@northfieldymca.org

Minnesota Youth in Government is a statewide youth civic education and leadership development initiative in which YMCAs, schools, and community organizations involve students in hands-on learning experiences.

The Northfield Area Family YMCA participates in two different YIG programs; Model Assembly and Model United Nations.

1. Model Assembly (Preparation in the fall of each school year for an event in January in St. Paul).For more information about program areas and guidance on which program areas to select click here.
Since 1946 the Model Assembly Session has grown from a simple program featuring only a Model Legislature and a Youth Governor, to an incredibly realistic and complex simulation of Minnesota state government. Approximately 1,400 students in grades 8-12 take part in the Model Assembly Session each year.. Participants have opportunities to serve as leadership corps members, legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, and cabinet members. They may also work in the offices of the Youth Attorney General, Youth Secretary of State, Youth Lieutenant Governor and Youth Governor. Others may choose to spend their time exploring the role that media plays in government by taking part in the production of their own daily newspapers, nightly television news broadcasts, or daily radio station programming. The Model Assembly program itself is conducted almost entirely by students, so many leadership opportunities exist for interested delegates. The possibilities for discovery are virtually limitless.

The Model Assembly Session provides unique, hands-on, opportunities for the young people of Minnesota to learn about their government. Minnesota YMCA Model Assembly has the honor to use the facilities of the Minnesota State Capitol Complex and Minneapolis Hilton Hotel. Very few people have experienced the thrill of making a speech in the Senate or the exhilaration of presenting a case before the Supreme Court. The Model Assembly Session offers students these and many more wonderful opportunities.

While the primary goal of this program is the promotion of responsible citizenship, students come away from Model Assembly with much more than a greater knowledge of the inner-workings of government. Participants sharpen their leadership skills and improve their critical thinking while they become more skillful at debate and public speaking. Students’ self-esteem is improved as they learn that their ideas do matter and that they can make a difference in their world. As Model Assembly participants experience what it is like to run the State of Minnesota for a few days, they also learn a great deal about themselves – their abilities, their interests, and their responsibilities as citizens of a participatory democracy.

2012 YMCA Youth in Government Statewide Minnesota Model Assembly program
winners from Northfield!: 

      Outstanding Jr. Cabinet Member: Elizabeth Buckheit
Outstanding Humphrey House Member: Luke Graham
Outstanding Ramsey Senate Member: Ben Andrew
Outstanding Sanford House Member: Chen Ye
Outstanding National Issues Forum Memmber: Cliff Martin
Outstanding Newspaper Member: Anika Hodel

FIRST bill passed into law – authored by Northfield’s own Sonja Berdahl – a
sliding pay scale based on free and reduced lunch for entrance into high
school events as well as participating in activities

Elia Read – 2013 Minnesota statewide Youth in Government Model Assembly -
Youth Governor – campaign video (a MUST see):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO6a2dWti_s

“I was blown away by how realistic the experience is for students.  It is truly a lesson they cannot get out of a textbook and one that will be with them the rest of their lives.” -Brian Stevens,  Northfield High School Economics Teacher

Resources – assistance in preparing for your deadlines and material submission:

 

2. Model United Nations (Preparation begins the end of January for March event in St. Paul).

Statewide Model United Nations will be Thurs – Sat (March 21 – 23)

Registration Deadline: Feb 7th (To the Y office in Northfield (mail or drop in mail slot: 519 Division St.)) $110 deposit is due at registration.

Registration forms can be found on the state office website: www.mnyig.org

Fee: $350 ($330 goes to the state office and $20 is used for buses)

Financial Aid Requests are due Feb 7 (to the Northfield Y): Financial Aid Form

Northfield Model UN Students will meet Sunday Nights at the Northfield Armory 6pm every week.

Lead Adult Volunteer: Larry Fowler (Teacher at the HS), once students are registered we will send you out an eblast as well as updates on the Northfield YMCA Youth in Government Facebook Page.

For more than two decades, young people from across Minnesota and the Midwest have gathered each spring to take part in Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Model United Nations. While focusing on role-playing an “adopted” country, students in grades 7-12 exercised the arts of compromise and diplomacy to attempt to solve pressing global problems. Model United Nations aims to teach students to be responsible “world citizens” in our global community.

Model United Nations is a simulation in which students, representing UN member states, meet to find solutions to common problems. It is a fascinating laboratory where concepts and principles from the classroom can come to life. As students simulate international organizations, they begin to find new answers to tough questions, to learn and respect opposing points of view, and to utilize the tools of peaceful change. They also gain a better understanding of the role of the United Nations in the world community and often develop a life-long interest in international affairs.

This program creates a working replica of the United Nations, conducted almost entirely by students. Students can participate in a model General Assembly, International Court of Justice, Economic and Social Council, Security Council, Human Rights Council or Conference Newspaper.

Young minds are challenged to research world issues and global concerns. They accomplish this by studying a particular nation’s history, culture, economy, and system of government. Students form groups of up to six people to represent their choice of a country in the United Nations.

In its “learning by doing” approach, Model United Nations is an innovative teaching technique that helps students develop a global perspective and sharpens their researching, writing and speaking skills. Through various stages of inquiry, study, negotiation and debate, students acquire new skills and gain substantive knowledge about international issues and the various national perspectives on those concerns.

Model United Nations Student Registration Form
Scholarship and Financial Aid Form
Model United Nations Preliminary Schedule
2011 Member States 7-8th grade
2011 Country Assignments 9-12th grade
2011 Member States 9-12th grade
Delegation Assignment Form 7-8 graders
Delegation Assignment Form 9-12 graders

For registration information, please call the YMCA at 507-645-0088.

Categories: Programs - Middle & High School

Click here for detailed membership information.

Thanks to the generosity of our community and donors, the YMCA will not turn anyone away from its membership or programs because of an inability to pay. Please let us know if we may assist you in this way by calling Virginia directly or by completing a Financial Aid form and returning it to us.

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