Youth In Gov’t

What is YIG (YMCA Youth In Government)?

(grades 7-12th)
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 initative 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 (Prepartion 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.

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

Registration now open until Feb 5th (all material must be at the YMCA offices by noon on Friday Feb 5th).

Call or email to receive registration packet.  Informational meeting Sunday January 17th – 5:00 at the National Guard Armory (we might hold a second meeting, based upon request).

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.

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

For detail membership information, click on the “Membership” tab button above

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 located under the “Membership” tab above and mailing or emailing it to her.