Welcome to the Statewide YMCA Youth in Government (YIG) Model Assembly Program. Our YMCA hosts a Northfield delegation of youth for Youth in Government (YIG) Model Assembly. It is estimated that 1,500 students from all over the state will participate, again in this year.
2018-2019 Informational Meetings:
- Tuesday, September 18th, 7:00-8:00pm
- Northfield High School, Room H124 (Enter through door #39)
- 1400 Division St S, Northfield, MN 55057
- Wednesday, September 19th, 7:00-8:00pm
- Northfield YMCA
- 1501 Honeylocust Dr, Northfield, MN 55057
- Thursday, September 20th, 7:00-8:00pm
- Arcadia Charter School
- 1719 Cannon Rd, Northfield, MN 55057
- Arcadia Charter School
- Northfield YMCA
- Northfield High School, Room H124 (Enter through door #39)
Welcome to the Statewide YMCA Youth in Government (YIG) Model Assembly Program. Our YMCA hosts a Northfield delegation of youth for Youth in Government (YIG) Model Assembly. It is estimated that 1,500 students from all over the state will participate, again in this year.
In Brief, here are the deadlines and meeting and program dates:
Dates:
- Fall LAUNCH Statewide Student Training: Saturday, October 27th all day (the Northfield Y will arrange for a bus to bring students to and from this training) at Fridley High School
- 2019 Model Assembly: January 10-13th at Hilton in Minneapolis (the Northfield Y will arrange for a bus to bring students to and from the conference)
Registration: Available NOW online at the Youth in Government (YIG) State Office website. Click here to register on their site. Note that students register for the Model Assembly program directly with the YIG State Office, not with local YMCAs.
Cost Deadlines & Prices:
- Early Bird deadline is October 2nd. Cost is $410 paid to the State YIG Office and $25 to Northfield Y (staff & busing fees) for grand total of $435.
- Final registration due November 29th. Cost is $460 paid to the State YIG Office and $25 to Northfield Y (staff & busing fees) for grand total of $485.
- No registrations after November 29th.
- State YIG Office Scholarship requests (or Personal Pricing Plans) for financial assistance must be submitted online through mnyig.org by November 15. Once the State YIG Office determines your scholarship award, our Northfield YMCA can also evaluate for further support (note you must first apply for State YIG Office financial assistance).
Payment Installments Deadlines
- State YIG Office Program Deposit – due AT REGISTRATION (paid online). Not refundable.
- State YIG Office Program – 1/2 of Remaining Fee – due November 6th
- State YIG Office Final Balance – due December 4th
- Northfield Y transportation and staff, $25 fee will be collected at LAUNCH on October 27th. Students registering after LAUNCH will be invoiced.
Need Help Preparing for the online submission deadlines for papers, articles, briefings and packets? Visit the State YIG Office website
Contacts:
- Aramis and Tiana Wells are the local Delegation Directors this year.
- Aramis Wells
- musketeer78@yahoo.com
- 507-581-0736
- Tiana Wells
- tianalwells@gmail.com
- 507-581-0737
- Aramis Wells
- Mr. Dahle is our local high school teacher support (check in with him at the high school)
- The Northfield facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122542157848949/
Program information:
If you enjoy debating important issues, if you are creative and open-minded…You may want to consider being a LEGISLATOR
9th-12th Grades
Humphrey House, Stassen Senate, Sibley House or Ramsey Senate (grades 9 & 10)
Sanford House or Knutson Senate (grades 11 & 12)
Legislators are the people who are in the forefront of the legislative process. They represent the people of the state and try to come up with ways that the government can serve them better—they make, change or get rid of laws. You get a chance to come up with your own good ideas for legislation and use your debating skills to get your bills passed. Your primary focus is legislation but you also get to speak and debate in groups on the floor of the House or Senate and in committee. Bills that receive legislature approval will be sent to the Youth Governor or Youth Lieutenant Governor for signature.
If you enjoy speaking in front of small groups, if you are a hard worker and a problem solver… you may want to consider being in the COURT PROGRAM
9th -12th Grades
Court of Appeals (grades 9 & 10)
Supreme Court (grades 11 & 12)
The Court program gives you a lot of time to examine issues (our fancy word for arguing!). As an attorney, you represent one side of a case and try to convince a panel of judges that your take on the law or constitution is the correct one. If you become a judge, you get to listen to the arguments of others and poke holes in them with your piercingly intelligent questions. It’s all about the analysis! The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals hearings are held in the Judicial Center in the Capitol Complex. Each youth lawyer sits on the bench as a Justice or Judge at least once.
If you enjoy working on a team, if you are responsible and resourceful…You may want to be a CABINET MEMBER
9th-12th Grades
Lieutenant Governor’s Cabinet (grade 10)
Governor’s Cabinet (grades 11 & 12)
As a Cabinet member, you and advise the Youth Governor or Lt. Governor on legislative and administrative questions. You also serve as the Executive Branch liaisons to the joint committees of the Houses and Senates. You will provide written reports on the current status of your department, based upon actual information. Departments range from Transportation to Education. Finally, you provide your opinions in writing on any legislation currently under consideration which may affect your department and the Governor or Lt. Governor’s political platform.
If you enjoy debate, working independently and if you are assertive…You may want to be a LOBBYIST
10th-12th Grades
A Lobbyist is the person behind the scenes who pushes bills through the legislative process. Lobbyists represent clients, and they try and get certain bills to pass or fail depending on how it affects the client’s interests. You can use all your debating and negotiating skills to convince legislators to think your way or you can organize campaigns about legislation to reach whole groups. Your primary focus is still legislation and you also get to use your debating skills.
If you enjoy writing, meeting deadlines and if you are a creative thinker…You may want to consider being in the MEDIA CORPS
10th-12th Grades
The media plays a vital role in the way the government runs, how the people get government information, and there are a variety of jobs to choose from. You could be the journalist who discovers the big scoop about a controversial bill, or you may want to run a feature on personalities or social aspects of Model Assembly. You could be a photographer or a video editor, or even try your hand at advertising. You could interview legislators on a particular bill for a television or radio broadcast. The Media Corps is a great place to be, plus you get a great picture of all the different parts of Model Assembly.
Newspaper
Participants write, edit, design and print daily newspapers during the Model Assembly Session.
Television
Participants tape, edit, and produce nightly newscasts. They are also responsible for coverage program events and for producing a final, summary broadcast of the Model Assembly. TV news participants must take part in several training and accreditation events before the Model Assembly Session.
Radio
Participants produce radio news and entertainment programs for broadcast at the conference hotel during the Model Assembly Session.
If you are an 8th grader… you will be a member of the LEADERSHIP CORPS
Students will be introduced to each aspect of the Model Assembly and have a chance to learn, up-close, the inner workings of state government. Like a “sampler platter” of YIG, students will have the opportunity to participate in skill building and leadership development activities that will enhance their role as active citizens . . . meet new people . . . and have fun the whole time.
If you enjoy being in charge, if you are enthusiastic and have good people skills… You may want to be a YOUTH ELECTED OFFICER OR APPOINTED OFFICIAL in your particular program area
9th-12th Grades
Youth officers for the program are elected by participants at the end of the Model Assembly Session. Youth officers preside over the Model Legislatures, Courts, Executive Branch, Lobbyists and Media, while supporting program areas during the Model Assembly Session. Some appointed positions include: Floor Leaders, Committee Chairs, Commissioners, Administrative Assistants, Presiding Judges/Justices, Copy Editors, Assistant Managers and Election Officials.