YMCA New Jersey Youth and Government

The student elected to next year’s Youth Governor position will serve as Lieutenant Governor for this year’s conference.

Duties and Responsibilities
as Lt. Governor (2010 Conference)

• Serves as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet and fulfills such duties as assigned
• Becomes thoroughly familiar with the overall program design
• Prepares to be sworn in as Youth Governor at the Closing session
• Attends Pre-Legislative Session as a candidate.

as Youth Governor (2011 Conference)

• Provides the leadership model for the entire Program, reflecting the Code of Conduct and the YMCA Ground Rules
• Attends the week long Youth Governor’s Conference held in Washington DC the June following his/her election
• Selects a Cabinet prior to the next Pre-Legislative session
• Sets the tone for the Program with a speech given at Pre-Legislative Session
• Presides over the Pre-Legislative Session as well as the Conference Weekend including but not limited to: the banquets, Opening and Closing sessions
• Studies with the Cabinet each legislative action and prepares a response
• Works throughout the year with Program Staff as necessary to plan for and insure a quality Program
• Represents the Program positively in school and in the community

Youth Governor Election Process

Primary Election (@ Pre-Legislative Session) 

• Each candidate must write and submit a letter to the delegates, outlining their ideas and changes they would implement if elected; this will be distributed to the cabinet and question panel
• Each candidate will be asked two questions and will have the opportunity to answer the questions in a short speech to the delegates of the conference
• Voting will be done by preferential ballot: delegates will be asked to select their 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd choices for next year’s Youth Governor position
• The two candidates that receive a majority of the votes will advance to the Election, to be held at Conference
  

Election (@ Conference)

• Each Candidate will be given 2 opportunities to address the conference: 
            +Opening Session – a 3 minute introduction speech
            +Dinner – a formal debate between the candidates
• Each candidate must submit a copy of his/her Opening Session speech for distribution to the Press Corps
  Candidates must adhere to their written speech; the candidate will be stopped if they fail to do so
• Elections will be held at dinner on Friday night –the results will be announced before dinner is adjourned
• Rules for the debate will be provided to candidates prior to conference
• Delegates will be asked to vote for one candidate to serve as next year’s Youth Governor (vote will be determined by majority)

---

Campaign Regulations

• Election Speeches are to address platform issues of interest or concern in each of the Committee areas, each issue does not need to receive equal attention
• Speeches are to emphasize the Candidate’s own strengths and aspirations, they may NOT include any negative comments about the opponent(s)
• Campaigns are to address issues of concern to both the State of New Jersey and the Youth and Government Program, candidates are to avoid making promises that cannot be kept or statements that cannot be supported with factual data
• Candidates are encouraged to visit with other delegations between Pre-Legislative Session and the Program.  Permission is to be obtained, in advance, from the Delegation Advisor
• All campaign materials and activities are to be in good taste, reflect a positive image, and adhere to the YMCA Ground Rules
• Candidates are NOT permitted to buy or give gifts of any kind to delegates, including pens, t-shirts, stickers, and buttons
• No Campaign material may be posted in the State House
• All Campaign material must be removed/picked-up prior to the conclusion of the Pre-Legislative Session and Conference
• Advisors are expected to remain impartial

Violations of the rules may result in immediate disqualification from running for office 

On Saturday evening of the current year’s conference, students wishing to be on the Governor’s cabinet for the following year must submit an application. On Sunday morning, the incoming Youth Governor, along with program staff, will conduct cabinet interviews to determine the candidate best suited for each position. Selected members will be announced at the conclusion of the conference.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Become thoroughly familiar with the issues pertaining to his/her department and prepare a Position Paper for the Governor about those issues
• Represent the issue of his/her department during the Governor’s Bill discussions at the Program
• Assist with the planning of Pre-Legislative Session
• Chief of Staff shall assist in the coordination of all Cabinet activities, organize Press Conferences, etc.
• Prepare and present testimony to the two committees in his/her department
• Must be able to commit time to the Program throughout the year by attending Cabinet meetings and any other scheduled events

Duties and Responsibilities

• Presides over sessions within the Senate or Assembly Chambers
• Preside over Committee sessions
• Attends any/all scheduled training sessions
• May not debate on the floor or vote except to break a tie
• Must assure that all Bills that reach the Chamber receive fair and equitable treatment
• Explains procedures to the Legislature and act decisively
• Enforces order and decorum during sessions
• Reports on Chamber activities at Closing session
• Select 3 nominees for Outstanding Statesperson with the Chamber Advisor
• Must be able to commit time to the Program throughout the year by attending Officer Training sessions
• Exemplify the Code of Conduct and YMCA Ground Rules

Election

• Submit an application for Student Leadership on Saturday evening of Conference
• Elections will be held Sunday Morning of conference.  Students elected this year will serve the following year.
• Each candidate will present a short statement in support of his/her candidacy and answer several questions. Candidates must remain outside of the room until called upon to speak
• Candidate with majority of votes wins.  Those elected will be announced at Closing Ceremony

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Senate President / Assembly Speaker in presiding over Chamber
• Preside over Committee sessions
• Custodian of all documents of the Senate/Assembly
• Responsible for reading aloud all Bill titles, Amendments, and any other items as directed by the President/Speaker
• Receive and place bills on the official docket  as they come out of Committee or from the opposite Chamber
• Keep detailed records of every vote and every action taken on all Bills
• Assist with time-keeping and vote-counts as necessary
• May not debate in Chambers
• Sends all Bills to the Expeditor with a clear notation of the vote and action taken by the Chamber
• Exemplify the Code of Conduct and YMCA Ground Rules

Election

• Submit an application for Student Leadership on Saturday evening of Conference
• Elections will be held Sunday Morning of conference.  Students elected this year will serve the following year.
• Each candidate will present a short statement in support of his/her candidacy and read a short excerpt
• Candidate with majority of votes wins.  Those elected will be announced at Closing Ceremony

Additional Qualifications

• Must have authorization to run for office from Committee Advisor.
• Must have one year experience in the Judicial program
• Must possess ability to set a positive tone over all proceedings
• Must have ability to develop and present suitable inspirational messages, which are respectful and inclusive of all beliefs

Duties and Responsibilities

• Presides over the Court both administratively and in the courtroom
• Sets the Courts Docket
• Must read and Understand all Cases, Legal Arguments, and Briefs
• Assists every legal team in the preparation of their case on an as needed basis
• Provides a written opinion on each case
• Exemplifies the Code of Conduct and YMCA Ground Rules

Election

• Submit an application for Student Leadership on Saturday evening of Conference
• Elections are held at the conclusion of the conference. Each candidate will give a 2-minute speech in support of his/her candidacy and answer several questions
• Candidate with majority of votes wins.  Student elected will be announced at Closing Ceremony

Additional Qualifications

• Must have authorization to run for office from Committee Advisor
• Must have one year experience as lobbyist
• Must be organized exude leadership abilities to achieve goals under pressure

Duties and Responsibilities

• Presides over tasks and organization of assigned Lobby Firm
• Assists in assignment of clients
• Assists in Administrative tasks with Program Staff
• Assists Lobbyists in preparation for conference and representation of clients when needed
• Exemplify the Code of Conduct and YMCA Ground Rules

Election

• Submit an application for Student Leadership on Saturday evening of Conference
• Elections will be held at the conclusion of Conference; each candidate will give a 2-minute speech in support of his/her candidacy and answer several questions
• Candidate with majority of votes wins.  Student elected will be announced at Closing Ceremony