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HOW STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE
Legislator
Students may elect to attend as either a Senator or an Assembly member collectively referred to as a legislator. As a legislator these delegates are the writers and debaters of the legislation of the conference. Each legislator must write at least one Bill. Each legislator is also expected to and co-sponsor at least two other bills.
Example: Delegate X elects to be a Senator. Delegate X will write one Bill that will originate in the Senate and co-sponsor two Bills, written by other students that will originate in either the Assembly or Senate.
Qualifications
- Must be a high school student, grade 9 -12
- Must agree to abide by the Code of Conduct, YMCA Ground Rules, and all other program requirements and regulations
Duties and Responsibilities
- Must write one (1) Bill and be the main sponsor.
- Must Co-Sponsor two additional Bills
- Read and know the Resource Manual
- Speak knowledgeably on behalf of their own Bill, Bills in the Committee and Chamber
- Research the legislation thoroughly
- Evaluate all proposed legislation with a concern for the welfare of the citizens of NJ
Newspaper Press Corps
Participants write, edit, and produce two newspapers during the Legislative Weekend. All Press members work together to develop the format, decide on worthy news items, and are trained in the coverage of news events.
Qualifications
- Must be in grade 9 through 12.
- Must be self-motivated and able to work on a tight schedule
- Must be able to write well according to accepted journalistic practices
Duties and Responsibilities
- Cannot vote, debate or sponsor Bills
- Will serve on the staff of the Conference Newspaper
- Prepare and ask questions of the Candidates for Governor at the Election Forum
- Contact local newspapers to determine if they would run at story on the Program
- Visit local papers to observe the process firsthand
- Cover activities at Pre-Leg, Committee Sessions, and Legislative Sessions
- Report all events in an unbiased, balanced, and professional manner
Page Corps
Pages are an important part of the Program, insuring that all documents are moved quickly and with due care.
Qualifications
- May be in the seventh grade or higher
- Must be willing to walk A LOT!
- Responsible for carrying out tasks without reminders or one-to-one supervision
Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for the flow of all official documents through the proper channels
- Cannot sponsor, debate, or vote on Bills
- Functions as a guide for visitors and dignitaries
- Deliver messages between Legislators
- Perform other duties at the request of Page Advisor or Program Staff
Lobbyist Corps
Youth Lobbyists have a unique opportunity to experience the legislative process as professional lobbyists. As a Lobbyist, students will advocate for both their own personal agenda and a series of clients. The Youth Lobbyists will provide testimony (written and/or oral), based upon extensive research, which either supports or opposes specific Bills that protect their clients.
Qualifications
- Must be a student in grades 9 – 12
- One year experience in the Program is preferred
- Ability to communicate well, both verbally an in writing
- Willingness to do advance research on selected topics
- Assertive enough to approach unfamiliar delegates to discuss Bills
Duties and Responsibilities
- Must attend Pre-Leg
- Must select and prepare a one-page position paper on the special interest area assigned at Pre-Leg, e.g. environmentalists, right-to-life, right-to-choose, business, labor, etc.
- Each lobbyist will review Bills and will select 6-8 Bills to lobby for and/or against at the Legislative Weekend based upon their client list and personal agenda.
- Prepare and present oral testimony before at least two Committees.
- Lobbyists are not permitted on the floor of either Chamber
- Lobbyists may not Sponsor, Co-Sponsor, or vote on Bills
- Lobbyists may NOT attempt to influence delegates by means of bribery, or physical intimidation.
Office of the State Treasurer
As a member of the State Treasury, students have a unique opportunity to experience the legislative process from a budgeting perspective. With volunteer professionals as advisors, the State Treasurer along with the Assistant State Treasurers will evaluate all of the Bills submitted by the delegates and assign a monetary value to the bill. The State Treasurer, along with the Assistant State Treasurers, is expected to develop several spending bills for authorization by the state legislature. The Assistant State Treasurers may also testify during committees. Space is limited on this committee to (12) twelve students.
Qualifications
- Must be a student in grades 10 – 12
- One year experience in the Program is preferred
- Ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing
- Willingness to do advance research on the submitted Bills to develop a budget
- Assertive enough to approach unfamiliar delegates to discuss Bills
Duties and Responsibilities
- Each Assistant State Treasurer will review all submitted Bills and develop a budget along with corresponding appropriation Bills for consideration by the legislature.
- Prepare and present oral testimony before Committees in support of proposed budget.
- Assistant State Treasurers are not permitted on the floor of either Chamber
- Assistant State Treasurers may not Sponsor, Co-Sponsor, or vote on Bills
Judicial Program
The youth Appeals Court of New Jersey will resolve cases dealing with issues of law that affect State laws, State Constitutional Issues, or Federal Constitutional Issues. Students will both present and deliberate a case twice during the conference against different opponents. The presentation part of the case will require a student to write a brief before the conference and present an oral argument before the court. The deliberation part of the conference will require the student to hear the arguments of a case, question the attorney presenting the case, and write an opinion outlining the outcome of the case as well as the reasoning for that outcome.
Each attorney will be placed into teams of two to three members. As a team, the attorney’s are expected to work together to represent their client and write a brief to the court. At the conference, each team will be paired with their opposing counsel to act as a panel of judges on another case. For more information on how to participate in this part of the program, please download the Judicial Manual.
Qualifications
- Must be a student in grades 9 – 12
- Ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing
- Willingness to do advance independent and team research on a case and case law
Duties and Responsibilities
- Must prepare and submit a brief to the court prior to the Conference
- Must prepare and present oral testimony before the Court at the Conference.
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