YOUTH & GOVERNMENT

MOTTO:

"DEMOCRACY MUST BE LEARNED BY EACH GENERATION."

MISSION:

The mission of California YMCA Youth and Government is to ensure that leadership, democracy, and the YMCA Core Values of Honesty, Caring , Respect, and Responsibility must be learned by each generation.

VISION:

"The foundation for this effort has been and will continue to be the preparation and the participation in the Model Legislature/Court.

We will develop programs that expand, extend, and enhance this purpose, being ever mindful that our programs will involve youth that reflect the diverse ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural populace of California.

Expansion will come in the form of introducing new program models and extending the current rogram to populations not being served or now served in a limited way.  Broadening the cultural and socio-economic base of teh programs will be key characteristics of our growth.

We will balance risk with innovation and retain the hands-on approach and quality that has made the program successful."

HISTORY:

In the mid 1930's, Clement A Duran, the Boy's Work Secretary of the Albany New York YMCA, realized the government's need for more leaders of high moral character and integrity.  Also realizing the need for high school youth to have a meaningful introduction to the democratic processes fo government, Duran struck upon the idea of a Model Legislature as a program vehicle for introducing the youth to the actual processes and leadership of their state government.  He hoped that such a highly meaningful experience might inspire the youth to think seriously about government as a career or at least to stimulate the beginning of their active and concerned participation in government as a citizen.  The first YMCA Youth and Government Program for members of New York Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y clubs was developed with the help of William H. Burger, holding the first Model Legislature in Albany in 1936.  The program spread rapidly to other nearby states.  The National Council employed Duran in 1949, and with his help, California initiated its program in 1949 under the stewardship of Charles Van Winkle.

THE CALIFORNIA YMCA MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT:

The program begins when high school youth from 150 communities across the State for over eighty YMCA delegation, and start discussing issues facin California, as well as ways to implement solutions through the legislative and judicial process.

Over a period of six months, participants write bills, prepare briefs, select government positions to role-play, attend training conferences, adn run for elected office.

The program culminates in Sacramento at the State Capitol each February for five days.  There, "real" government makes way for the participants to use the historic halls and chambers of our State Capitol and Supreme Court.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM:

	Participate in two three-day conferences at Camp Roberts (near Paso Robles) for training for roles and electing officers for the Model Legislature/Court in Sacramento.
	Experience five days in Sacramento working within the State Capitol Building, including the Senate, Assembly, and Supreme Court chambers.
	Participate in a question and answer session with the Governor of the State of California and other State Constitutional Offers at Joint Sessions of the Model Legislature/Court.
	Meet with real Senators and Assemblypersons, judges, and state officials.
	Opportunity to meet high school students from all over California.
	Opportunity to debate bills on the most controversial issues facing the State today, in committees and on the Assembly and Senate floors.
	Opportunity to participate in court proceedings to decide challenging issues facing the state.
	Participate in numerous social activites including dances, fun games and the Governor's Banquet and Ball, followed by a midnight Worship/Friendship Service.
	Participate in the Spring Conference designed to introduce Freshman students to the program.
	Opportunity to apply to be a member of the California delegation to the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs held at the Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, North Carolina and research and debate issues of national and international concern.

 

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